Who's gonna order the spare tire kit & why/why not?

On the one hand, you've got the tire fix it kit, which should be good for all but the most serious tire failure. How does using that fix-a-flat gunk effect the tire as far as getting the flat fixed, and long term use of the tire after the gunk has been sprayed in the tire the first (and subsequent) time/s? Can it be cleaned out effectively?

On the other hand, I'm not really concerned about the weight of the tire. But I'm concerned about how much room the tire rack takes up in the trunk. But it would be a lifesaver to have that spare tire for road trips, just in case of a flat in the middle of nowhere that can't be fixed with fix-a-flat, and you don't wanna wait for a fix-it truck.

 

I can't justify spending $400.00 on a spare tire. I'm sure in a few months someone will be selling them on eBay for half the price. The other alternative is to buy one from a wrecked FD if they are compatible.

 

I did not order the spare tire kit because I plan to get run-flat tires.

 

I'm going with the spare tire option. If it's too big I'll take it out for local trips when necessary, but the security of having it on long trips will probably be worth it for me. The idea of sitting around a few times on a rainy or dark night waiting for the Mazda Service truck to show up is worth the $400 (I think). Plus, once I had a tire split on its radius, which I don't think fix-a-flat can fix.

Once you use the fix-a-flat stuff I think you've ruined the tire. They are a temp fix only and you're supposed to go to a tire repair shop as soon as you can once you use it. I think all the times I used it, it resulted in a new tire.

I'm curious about this road service that Mazda's going to have. Is Mazda running the program or are they going to contract it out nationally or regionally? If this is the first year (or early years) of the program, how many bugs have to be worked out. And you have to be able to call them from whereever you are. All in all I'm more comfortable with the spare tire.

 

a spare tire is really unneccessary imo. i have never gotten a flat and prolly never will. a tire repair kit is enough. and on top of that theres mazda's roadside assistance. AND on top of that i have AAA.

 

I don't plan on ordering the spare tire kit, but intend to buy snow tires and wheels soon after I get the car. If I'm on a trip where civilization is likely to be hours away, I'll bring one of them. I haven't decided if I'll build a mount, or just strap it in the trunk somehow. (there goes the room for the two golf bags! Uhh, I forgot, I don't golf)

Of the few flats I've had, in one case, an invisible chunk of metal jumped up off the road and slashed my sidewall so badly, fix-a-flat goo couldn't have saved it.

 

I decided to get the Kit. I agree with everyone, that the Spare Tire price is exorbitant (I hope I spelled that right). To say the least.

But I didn't want to be that poor soul standing next to his wife on a cold rainy night that the reason they are waiting for a tow truck is that he wanted to save $400 on a $32000 car.......

 

Soon after getting my 2001 Miata we were on a trip to central California, naturally we were on "back roads." While descending a very twisty road coming down from Fort Hunter Liggit to Coast Highway, I came around a turn and just nicked a small rock in the road. That rock split the sidewall on my right front tire. The split was about 1 1/2" long (pretty much the entire sidewall).

I knew I had a flat, but didn't realize that the sidewall was split until I tired a can of that 'flat fix' stuff and it shot out all over the road.

Had I not had a spare (as was the case with my previous Miata [a 1994]) I would have been SOL! Needless to say my Auto Club membership would not have helped out there, and even if they came I still wouldn't have had a spare to mount.

I can't even remember the last (previous) time I had a flat, but it only takes once. And Murphy's law says that when it happens you will be out in the boonies on a weekend.

My advise - get the spare. You can always take it out on those occasions when you feel adventurous.

 

i have a question. is the spare wheel just a donut spare or is it the same as the wheels?

 

Donut spare.

An 18 inch wheel doesn't have a chance in Hell in fitting in that trunk.

 

Mazda is using the same Road Side Service Program that has been in place since 1998. Its 24hr and Nation Wide. All you do is call the 800# and someone who is contracted out will show up. how long it takes depends on when you are at in relation to civilization. Hopefully this helps.

 

Which tire repair kit is this, i know of two. The one you spray gunk into the tire, and the other actually fix's a hole, which would require a tire pump.

 

not.

 

Yes. I have never had a flat. Could that be from not buying cheap tires nor driving on bad tires? Don't know. But yes, problems with my RX-7's tended to be out in the boonies of Colorado/Wyoming, where a cell phone does not work.

 

like someone else said... get Run Flat Technology tires like Pirelli tires. I have 215/35/19 P7000s and I got a screw in mine, and it held up for 48 hours across about 50 miles going about 75 mph average... on like small amounts of psi... my tire is like 2 cm tall from the tip of the rim lip to the end of the tire... absolutely amazing tires... definately sold on pirellis! they are expensive but absolutely worth it. no wonder they uses these in the WRC!