14 April 2009

Obsessive, but corners well

One night at a party, my friend Jack Random accused me of being obsessive. Actually, we were reading The Secret Language of Birthdays. My birthdate page said I was obsessive, and Jack agreed with that point.

So I followed him around all night asking "Am I obsessive? Are you SURE? Obsessive?"

Ahem.

I'm not THAT obsessive. Ok, maybe a little. It comes out at certain times.

I just bought some tires. For most of my life, I would buy anything round and black. I mean, tires, who cares, right?

Then when the exMrStapler was paying the bills, I put Michelins on my Subaru Forester. Insert moaning sounds here.

I never knew tires could make such a difference. It was like having a new car for about $500. A nice car.

When the Bluemobile needed new tires, I decided, despite my relative poverty, that I wanted Michelins. But I really, really couldn't afford them.

I began doing research. By the time I was done, I had visited three tire shops, talked to six more, read reviews on the internet and had about half a steno book worth of notes.

Ask me about tires. I can discuss sizes, ratings, tread wear warranties. If this writing thing doesn't work out, I think I will look great in a Tire Pros polo shirt.

And after all this, the winner was the Yokohama YK520s. Really good tires, but less costly than Michelins, with a 60k mile tread wear warranty. And I got a steal people.


How do they drive?

Insert moaning sounds here.

Good gosh. I'm writing about tires. Somebody get me a life.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love my Forester, but no one ever told me I needed 4 matching tires. I just figured, (like you) round, rubber, tread, whatever.

But 4 new tires and an alignment later, I'm so impressed I'll have to do it again.

Now it's my brakes.

meno said...

Oh, they're beautiful. I hope you five will be very happy together.

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah said...

I would help you... if I knew where to start.

Deodand said...

Don't apologize for writing about tires. It's one of those things where you notice the difference when paying more than the minimum. I paid through the ass for my tires but they hold the corners like nothing else. I can pass any car with cheap tires!

SUEB0B said...

Scientific Lutheran - we represent a small sample size, but I find us significant.

Meno - LOL

Sarah - get me a date

Deodand - I really had to decide between the quick-wearing sport tires and the mom tires, and I chose the mom tires. I like to think of myself as a Grand Prix driver, but in reality, I poke along and make other people crazy.

Glennis said...

Wow. I have no idea how to feel the difference.

You're scaring me a little bit, though, because this sounds just like the kind of geeky thing I would do, and, frankly, I'm already full up to her about things I know way too much about.

Want to hear about how those ticket-dispensing machines in parking garages work?

SUEB0B said...

G - now you don't have to do it. Just ask me and I will advise you.

J said...

I did the research long ago, and found the same thing. Love the yokohamas. Our old car was very high end (inherited, of course) and wanted the best tires. The Yokohamas were perfect. And half the price.

apathy lounge said...

I'm impressed! I could use some of that obsessive nature in me!

LittlePea said...

You've informed me. SO that's a good quality. Imagine all the wonderful inventions that would never have come to be if not people who obsess!

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

I was hoping to see a picture of you pitching tires in a yellow polo shirt, like the Sham Wow guy, or something.

;)

- Margaret

Sister Wolf said...

"Everyone's normal til you get to know them."

Back to top