Thanks for the input.. I got it done at Wheelworks... things are much more expensive in California ...should have tried America Tire, but I don't like the people there.
This is a super-easy job to DIY. Theres NOTHING wrong with plugs, Ive had a tire with SEVEN plugs in it from driving through a construction area, i burned those tires down to the cords and they never leaked.
You can get the repair kit from walmart, or any autoparts store for a few bucks. Get the T-handle (easier to grip) kit that has the plugs included.
All you do is with a pair of pliars, yank out the nail. The tire will probably go flat then.. then using the rough edged thing, jam it in the hole and scrub it in and out making the hole bigger. Just saw it in and out until you can make the plug fit into the hole. You thread the gooey plug into the eye of the other tool, then jam it into the hole. One inside edge of the eyehole is sharp, so as you pull out the tool will cut the plug in half.
Voila, the patch will be sticking out of the tire.. You can trim it down to about 1/2" sticking out, but dont cut it flush with the tire. Just air it back up and hit the road.. (note: you may have to jack the car up to get the weight off the tire for it to air up.)
There i nothing wrong with plugs for the "Average" driver. Plugs can rip out if you spin your tires much, and if the tech guy at the drag strip sees a plug, they won't let you race. Just something to think about.
I had two plugs in a tire, put them in myself btw, and when I was ready to get a new set of tires, all four actually, I burned them all the way down. I put these plugs in when the tire was nearly new, had 99%+ tread, I did many many burnouts, launches etc etc, and just generally abused the hell out of them at the end. They didn't leak a bit, and I drove on them to the tire shop to get my new tires installed. They were nothing special, Kelly brand.
I've never had a problem with a plug, but I guess it's different for everyone maybe..