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[Kev93]

I was looking through my own "personal junkyard" and noticed some nice looking wheels on a Mitsu Diamante hulk out there.

They're 14's, though ... according to the Tire calc at miata.net, a 175/70/14 would be about an inch larger in diameter, so minimal speedo impact.

What I'm more concerned about is a] handling or traction changes and b] finding one with an appropriate speed rating (although, I've yet to find any cause to do more than about 80MPH in her... at least on the daily commute  

Thoughts?

[Rocketman]

175/70/14 isn't really an appropriate tire for a "sports car" it's too narrow and the sidewall is too tall.

I'd stick to stock 185/60/14 or wider

[Kev93]

Well, that would also seem appropriate.  Also within parameters (same diameters it appears).

I think I understand what the width would have to do with it, but what effect would "too tall a sidewall" have?

[Rocketman]

A sidewall is nothing but "unsupported" rubber. The more sidewall you have, the more it will flex. On 175/70/14 tires a Capri will feel like a big boat when you're trying to maneuver.

That's why folks go to a wider wheel, and less sidewall for better handling (there is a limit to this, too small a sidewall can be detrimental to performance, but it's pretty extreme)

Of course this is only my recommendation

[Kev93]

Thanks for your wisdom  

Wife found out and says "nix" on new tires for the sake of vanity at this point (taxes as yet unpaid, for some reason expenses keep increasing [Thanks Barack, for 4-dollar fuel]    )

If I stay on the 15" wheel, would 195/55/R15 also be too tall in your opinion?  What about 205/50?

Thanks again.   (Gee, no "bowing down" smiley here? )