Porsche Club of America - Upper Canada Region: 35th Anniversary September 2011

I bought a car on eBay last November and knowing I would be driving it home through the mountains in December, I purchased 4 snow tires online from The Tire Rack and chose one of their recommended installers to fit them for me in the area where I bought the car (Philadelphia). The price of the tires was about 50% of what I was quoted here and the installation cost is published on their website for each dealer. The process worked flawlessly and I would recommend their services to anybody.

I have used Tirerack this year to purchase my snows and arrived at my house in 4 days (Monday ordered and arrived Thursday). The Blizzaks were $150 each for the fronts and $73 for the rears (Not a typo, they are clearing them out). If you call them, the operator is able to find sale items not registered on the website.

We were in Philly and had Michelins installed by a dealer on an SUV for half the best price quoted in Canada. Savings would be even greater now with the C$ at par. Since we were staying there we simply claimed them under our legal exemption.

I know lots of people that get all their tires from tire rack. They even ship directly to you here in Canada. Even with the courier charges and duty etc, they can still be up to 30% cheaper than a "best buy" here in Canada!

They had a sale on last year on a popular brand. The tire was $58 US from Tire Rack with a $50 Visa Rebate Card on the purchase of 4! The best Cdn price was $152 Cdn each on that SAME tire, and no rebate card!! That was $182 US for 4 tires!! The Canadian equivalent at Costco was $608 Cdn. The difference is substantial!

That said, we have a new company at the track called Tire Butler. They claim to BEAT Tire Rack's prices and in Canadian dollars!

Give them a try, you can find them with Google.

If you're going to drive to Buffalo to have your tires mounted there and smuggle them across, it's probable that you'll save some money over buying 'em here. However, before you do anything short of that, giveTire Butler a call. They claim that they will beat Tire Rack's price on any tires when you include the shipping and Canada Customs clearing charges, which indeed are considerable. Tire Butler has this season been servicing us at our DE events at Mosport and is deserving of our support, at least to the extent of asking them to quote. PLUS, they will come to you to mount and instal the tires.

The owner, Jack, is a fellow Porsche owner and UCR member, and is a good guy. Ask to speak to him. Tire Butler's phone number is: (416) 234-1688

Richard Bain