I bought back my WRX in March, he gave me back the snow tires I had included in 2020 but unmounted from wheels. Something about dad used them, decided to go with all seasons, kept them in a garage, etc.
I was thinking about Facebook Marketplace or Tirerack for some Sparcos, but last night I thought "how old are they by now"?
Checked the date code, looks like mid-late 2015. Tread is almost new, but that's almost 9 years old. Do I even bother?
I wouldn't . I don't know if I'd even trust them at a rallycross. I've had a tire completely throw a tread and almost wipe out a fender that wasn't even that old.
I wouldn't trust them, either - especially in a harsh use environment like rallycross.
The only reason I would use 9 year old tires is if I absolutely couldn't afford a new set.
I lived the life depicted in a documentary 
called "A Christmas Story." Here's the pertinent clip.
https://clip.cafe/a-christmas-story-1983/my-old-mans-spare-tires-actually-only-tires/
In reply to Jerry :
I'm running around on tires that are seven weeks older than yours. I don't know how I sleep at night.
Use in snow, or for a rallycross? They would be useless in snow because they are old and hard. Rallycross? Go nuts.
I still think the people who have thrown treads off their old tires ahve never actually looked closely at them...
They might be worthwhile for rallycross if you just want to mess around. I don't know what your access to tire mounting equipment is, but I'd be hesitant to pay any real money to get tires mounted that might be coming back off after (potentially) the first time you drive on them and discover that they're terrible.
Tire health is a lot like oil change intervals and expiration dates on milk. There is a huge difference between tires that sat out in the sun for 9 years vs tires that lived in a dark garage for 9 years. Just like drinking expired milk, you roll the dice and take the chance.
They still degrade in a dark garage, just not as quickly or in the same ways.
Originally intended for snow and rallycross, definitely snow and hoping to get rallycross back in Dayton before the end of the year, even if just a fun run.
I think I'm going to do my usual wheel/tire package from Tirerack, ship to work, bolt on in the driveway/garage. Helps skip a trip to the shop & either wait or drop off/pickup. I was thinking of disposing but maybe I'll hold onto them a bit for potential rallycross, or even sell for like $50-100 for the set if someone wants to try out RX this year for the 1st time.
defintely not if you need dependable snow driving. for rx or something, meh go for it. they'll probably be slow but sure.
I would not hesitate to use 9yr old snows if they looked good, but don't think I'd want to pay what it costs to mount them these days. I'd probably try to sell them and put that money toward new/newer tires
I know some people say snows are only good for a few years but that's not been my experience, and I use snow tires every winter on both cars. My I-Pikes were 11 years old the last time I used them and they worked perfectly well in the snow. Wife's have to be at least 7 years old and they also work fine.
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