A little over a week ago my wife’s car had been losing air in one of the tires. We took it in earlier this week for a look over and the tire had a nail on an un-patchable part. They also discovered a mouse nest inside the blower motor for the cabin. The tires were original to the purchase in Fall 2022 and were ready to be replaced. I had been waiting to do so until we tackled more of this debt, but it is what it is.

I had a $1,500 quote from the dealership for full tires and the other parts from the mice. I am a fan of the chain Discount Tire, but my area doesn’t have any nearby. So I checked Sam’s Club, Pep Boys, and a few local places. Pep Boys ended up being the best deal with a 65,000 mile all weather tire on sale buy four for the price of three with no installation fee. Car was also due for an oil change, I usually buy my own oil and filter and just pay for labor.

Color me surprised when I got to my local Auto Zone and they had a deal. $30 off if I buy the oil, oil filter, and the air filter. The air and oil filters were only $28 so they were free and the oil was $2 off!

Pep Boys found a second mouse nest under the hood and discovered the blower motor area had damage that needed to be repaired. All said and done, I got it done for a total of $1,200 saving $300 from the dealer price, even after adding the $130 for the warranty on the tires. Lifetime of the tire regardless of mileage they will repair or replace any damage or punctures at any Pep Boys in the country.

I call that making lemonade out of lemons.

~~Miniwing~~
Investor, Stoic, Parent