Date:         Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:10:46 -0500
Reply-To:     Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
Subject:      Tire Rack visit and promotional deal
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

On my way back from MA driving our recently purchased 02 Outback, I
drove past the Tire Rack DC in South Bend IN and looped back to see
if they sold to the general public out of the building. This place is
500,000 square feet and very modern looking.  The gal at the desk
said yes they did sell over the counter and even had an installation
shop and alignment if I needed it.  A guy came down and showed me
tires for the Toyota, the Subie, and the Vanagon.  Not blessed with
Vanagon space, I decided to have the Outback tires installed and
balanced, the Vanagon alloy wheels and the  Toyota tires tossed in
the back.  While saving all that money on shipping, I also bought one
of their aluminum floor jacks(review on it coming up once I get it
out of the box and use it).  They were VERY helpful, didn't mind me
photographing the DC, the lobby, all the cool cars in the parking
lot, or the really cool assembly line set up they have for doing tire
mounting.  The test track outside is really cool and they do
autocrosses on it like once a month.

The Continental Vanco 2 tires in my 16" size weren't in for a few
more weeks, so I held off on that purchase til now, but their website
says they will be in 7/3/09 and they are currently offering a free
TOM TOM GPS with the purchase of 4 Continental tires.  My wife was
all for that, so we ordered them.   Review on the Vanco 2's
after  Mid July when I acutaly get them out on a road trip to see how
they do.  The 215/65/16 was $129 a piece, but the 185-14 was around
$70 each.  I think that included Road Hazard.

Not much else going on for now.

DM&FS