Small form-factor windshield washer tank

I don't know if anyone else will care about this mod, but since I don't carry my useless 85-vintage spare tire (it's on my garage wall instead) and I DO occasionally take my car on long trips, I decided to get rid of that great big melon of a windshield washer tank in the forward trunk. Using a small, military grade water flask, a small GM pump, and a 3D printed bracket, I put the a more compact setup together. I can report it works great, and greatly enhances usable trunk space. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

And yes, I'm not planning on trying to win any Ferrari concours with this car, so there's that...

 

A. The spare on a QV with staggered 16"s is halfway worthless because it only fits on the front. You cannot mount it to the rear. You are just as likely to lose a rear tire as a front. Also, I track my cars, so I go through tires like tacos. Ergo, my rubber is always fresh and less prone to failure for that reason.
B. On long trips, I carry a tire repair kit, a mini compressor, and a can of that scary fix-a-flat goo. BUT--I would only use those if I felt I was in an unsafe location to wait for a tow truck. My daily driver doesn't have a spare either; I've had a flat in it (damn pothole) but I didn't sweat it much. I have free towing, and it was time to switch to winter tires anyway.

I would also mention that the spare tire that came with my car is a pristine, period Goodyear "gatorback." It would be a shame to throw it away, but I sure as hell would not drive on an almost 40-year-old tire.


As making it home for dinner--missing a meal would probably be good for me anyway.

 

Just because it's not your risk analysis, doesn't mean it's a poor risk analysis. We make these decisions based on our own personal experience and the things we have witnessed. Having lived different lives, we are bound to have varied experiences. I do not fault your analysis because it is different from mine; I assume it is based on your own experiences, and thus valid for you. But no matter what we decide, we are ALL crossing our fingers in the hope that our analysis will prove correct. That's life, my friend. No guarantees.

Anyhow, a few other factors that inform my decision:
1.) I've almost been killed by, and seen massive vehicle damage from failed tires, (on both cars and aircraft) I won't even put air in a tire that's over ten years old, let alone drive on it. (I have the same view on compressors, by the way.)
2.) I've also been almost killed trying to change a tire by the side of the road by passing traffic. If it's not safety critical to get the hell out of where I am, I'll wait for a truck.

Additional points of analysis--again from my perspective. I'm not saying you're a fool for your perspective, but these are the thoughts that occur to me:

1.) Unlike a TR, the tires on a late-build 308 are not a hard-to-find specialty size. Actually, the front tires on a Testarossa aren't hard-to-find either--especially if you're just trying to get home and so don't care about the category or speed rating.
2.) If I'm on a long road-trip in a 40 year old car, my planning process has already baked some extra days for unforeseen issues like this. If I don't think I have the time to spare on the trip, I'll take something built in this century instead.
3.) By NOT carrying a spare, I can devote more space to spare parts, fluids, tools, etc., so I am prepared to deal with multiple types of roadside issues, not just a flat tire.

Again, I'm not saying you're wrong for your analysis. You have to do what makes you comfortable; but I just don't see traveling without a spare in to be that big an issue, provided you aren't traveling in extremely remote areas with little or no cell phone reception. If I ever drive my 308 to the North Slope of Alaska, yes, I promise I will bring a proper spare tire--and strap it to the roof, if necessary.