0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases Discover it Student Cash Back Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Buy High-Performance Tires Without the Sting

How to · Auto

How to Buy High-Performance Tires Without the Sting

Upgrade your grip and handling by timing your purchase and spreading the cost over 18 months without paying interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,000 before anything else
Across the 0% window $55.56/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,000 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

High-performance cars are a blast until you need new rubber. Sticky tires wear out fast and cost a lot. You are usually looking at a grand to get back that cornering confidence. It is a necessary cost of owning a fun car, but it doesn't have to ruin your monthly budget.

Buy in the winter. Shops are slow and manufacturers run heavy rebates to move inventory before the spring rush. This is when we haggle on the price of the tires themselves before we worry about the financing. Negotiating the price separately keeps the math simple.

The 0% interest period is a tool, not a gift. If you still have a balance after the 18 months, you will get hit with the standard high APR on whatever is left. Stick to the monthly plan to make sure the tires are paid off before the interest starts.

The steps

  1. 01

    Shop in the off-season

    Wait for the winter months to buy summer tires. Performance rubber doesn't move when it is snowing, so manufacturers offer big mail-in rebates. You can often stack a brand-name rebate with a shop's local discount to drop the price.

  2. 02

    Get three quotes

    Call local shops and check online retailers. Ask for the out-the-door price, which includes mounting, balancing, and disposal fees. Don't let them surprise you with extra line items once the car is already on the lift.

  3. 03

    Use the 18-month window

    Put the $1000 purchase on a Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi). It gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This turns a heavy bill into a manageable $55.56 monthly payment.

  4. 04

    Skip the road hazard warranty

    Most high-performance tires already have a limited manufacturer warranty. Unless you live in a city with legendary potholes, these shop-level add-ons are usually just extra profit for the dealer and rarely pay off.

  5. 05

    Check the date codes

    Tires age even if they aren't driven. Look at the four-digit code on the sidewall to make sure you aren't buying tires that have been sitting in a warehouse for three years. You want the freshest rubber possible for maximum grip.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Can I negotiate tire prices?

Yes. Most shops have a bit of wiggle room or can match a price you found online. It never hurts to ask if they can waive the installation fee to get your business.

Do I really need an alignment?

If your old tires wore down unevenly, yes. New tires are too expensive to ruin in six months because your car is pulling to one side.

Are winter rebates worth the wait?

Usually. You can save $70 to $150 through mail-in rebates during the slow season. Just make sure your current tread is actually safe enough to last until the sale starts.

What is the catch with the 0% offer?

There is no catch as long as you pay on time. The 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening is a hard deadline. If you miss a payment, you might lose the promo rate.