And then there's us. I park my Scion in the Back 40 parking lot because I drop off my kids at school most days, and that's the spaces that are left. As I hike over to my building, most mornings I see a Scion iQ (aka Toyota's 'Smart' car - get it?) and wonder, 'it's kinda cool, but who buys half a car, new?' It's like my Xa with the back seat and two doors cut out of it. On Tuesday, I follow an older lady out of the building...right up to this funny car. So I get the whole story...'husband dead, just has cats...all I need, plus it's cute'. Then I point out the tires that are not only smooth, but belts are peeking out of cracks in the tread. She says to walk around the other side. New front tire, no hubcap. Blowout, lost the hubcap, tires are $160 each, only brand available is Federal, Nephew 'lost' the inflatable donut. Car no go on three wheels, so got mugged getting the car back on the road again.
So I make a note of her name and go home for the night. Damn. Tire Rack sells ONE tire in a 175/60-16 for $130 plus shipping. I hack Malibus. I'm not done here...I get the kids into bed and roll up the virtual sleeves. I take a look at the specs on Tire Rack. OEM is 24.3" diameter. 185/55-16 is 24.1", 1/2" wider. 195/55-16 is 24.4", 1" wider. Both have multiple options from brands I've actually heard of, starting at $62. Internet leads to Hollander exchange number and a Toyota P/N. Amazon has a rim under both numbers for $87 new. EBay has a new OEM hubcap for $42. Free shipping on both.
End of story, I called her up and brought her the stack of paper I printed out and annotated the night before. Next morning I enjoyed a yummy Dunkin Boston Creme and put a smile on 11 colleagues' faces. That's how we roll here.