My mom is leasing a 2001 Maxima (ewww I know, she hates it too!).

Anyway, here's a quick question. The tires need replacing about now, and I am not sure what to do.... can we get different tires than original equipment, or do they *have* to be original equipment tires (ie, the same brand and model exactly?)?

Because the tires cost $162 a piece, and they aren't even that good. I figured we'd get a reasonable pair of tires that were signifigantly cheaper and slap those on instead... doable?

you can get any tires you want. just make sure replace all 4 at the same time to keep the tire wear and alignment even! if you replace 2 different type tires you will throw off everything!!

I expect that ibfubar's answer is correct, but just to be sure, pull out the lease agreement and read it carefully. It's about three pages of fine print, but you should know everything in it. My Honda lease says essentially what ifubar said but it's better to double check. Don't get tires that will run out of tread just when it's time to turn the car in or you'll have to buy new tires again.

Ive returned two cars in the last six years at lease end. A 98 Camry v6 xle and a 2000 Solara SLE. Both times I was completey amazed at the simplicity of the return process. The Dealership barely even looked at the car........I mean hardly at all. I replaced all 4 tires about 1 year prior to lease end and they did not care what the car had for tires when I returned it.

The first vehicle I ever leased ('97 Jeep Grand Cherokee) wore out it's tires 2 months before it was due back. I put the original make/model of tires on it (over $200 each) because I didn't know any better. The dealer thought I was an idiot - he said I should have put on the cheapest tires that were of a similar rating (Coopers - maybe $50 each) - he wouldn't give me a credit for the brand new tires against my mileage penalty...

You can put any tires you want on it, won't affect the lease. Honestly most companies are extremely lax about the wear and tear side of the lease agreements at this point. I have seen cars that are pretty beat come back on lease return and nothing gets said about it.

Originally posted by Gyro
Ive returned two cars in the last six years at lease end. A 98 Camry v6 xle and a 2000 Solara SLE.

You returned Toyota's :confused: These puppies are a lot like Honda/Acurathey are usually worth a lot more then their buyouts. My Teg is selling for $6k (CDN) more then my buyout. If this is a company lease then you buy it yourself and pocket the difference (tax free :cool:)

yeah they dont really care at all about the tires, they just look for body damage and mileage. unless the tires are completely bald r something. but i would not worry about it too much. heck one car i leased had a different radio in it then original and they never even cared at all as long as it was the same stuff am/fm/cd they didnt care that it was a lot cheaperand non factory!