I have fond memories of BFG 175/70-13 tires on my 82 Subaru wagon. I'd say they had adequate grip for the cars of the era. I would love a couple of sets in that size for my Spitfire and GT6. I don't consider the suspension and drivetrain components to be strong enough to handle a modern performance tire. At least for street use.
Tony Sestito said:Oh, I know all about the MuchoMachos! 😆
I'll never get over Macho Grande. . . .
Welcome to the world every disappearing tire choices.
I was considering moving from 14 to 15 inch rims to get any kind of performance street tire options. I had to wait for the Federals I have on the car now to be made, and they are not even that great of tires.
From what I can tell, there is one good choice for 15 inch rims, the BF Goodrich G-Force Rival, which is actually available in two sizes 245, 225 and 205 for a stagger. I suspect the only reason they exist is because they are sizes you would use on a 911, but I don't want to take the risk at this point.
16 inch + rims / tires looks kind of silly to me on older cars.
(edit): In looking up the sizes of the tires below, there seem to be couple options in that size, so maybe not a horrible option (there are also a couple of track tires available).
They are also the sizes one would use on a Miata now that people have moved away from toilet paper roll shaped 13" wheels and tires.
I still have some, I think, 255/35R13s on 13x10 wheels somewhere around here.
The Ubiquitous 205-50-15 that everything with 15" wheels ran in the early 2000s still have a lot of choices.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:They are also the sizes one would use on a Miata now that people have moved away from toilet paper roll shaped 13" wheels and tires.
Proof that we are doomed as a society when current sensibilities preclude changing a standard diameter roll. But hey, endless fun for the cat right?
GIANT ROLL: Toilet Paper Roll that is 12" in diameter and weighs 2 lbs
ROLL CHANGES: Change the roll less often based on the number of sheets in Charmin Regular Roll
1 Forever Roll = 32 Regular Rolls
But do the forever rolls get to have softer paper because the larger diameter means the toilet paper heats up less in use, allowing for more grip for the same wear?
Is the April issue of GRM going to feature a thoroughly datalogged and charted toilet paper test? Hmm...
(UP TO ONE MONTH? This implies that an extraordinarily frugal user may use one normal roll of toilet paper per bathroom, or that multiple-bathroom households share toilet paper between rooms, like the three witches with one eye between them. And that a more typical user will process more than one roll per day per room. I don't think they need a bigger roll of toilet paper, I think they need a dietician, and maybe more natural fiber in their diet.)
Pete. (l33t FS) said:Is the April issue of GRM going to feature a thoroughly datalogged and charted toilet paper test? Hmm...
Shades of the annual Road & Track " test "
Masher_Mfg said:Tony Sestito said:Oh, I know all about the MuchoMachos! 😆
I'll never get over Macho Grande. . . .
Tell that to George Zip!
Well poop.
I think I might need a set of 195/50-15 tires now. What is the favorite?
stupid FBMP..... I didn't need ANOTHER set of wheels.
Powar said:Which wheels are you running on that 900? I run 195/60/15s on all of mine. That really opens up tire options.
14-spoke 6x15s from a V6 9000, one of my favoritest Saab rims:
I could go with 195/60s, too -- it's not like I need massive grip while out for a Sunday drive.
Can you go bigger? I put some 205/60R15 Falkens on the 924. Sure, not performance tires, but they fit, still work pretty well in the fun stuff, and didn't put me own the path of over-tiring the car where I then need more anti roll bar or something.
Trent said:Well poop.
I think I might need a set of 195/50-15 tires now. What is the favorite?
stupid FBMP..... I didn't need ANOTHER set of wheels.
Tire Rack is claiming they'll have the Michelin Pilot Exalts by 11/7 in that size. Alternately, the Yokohama Fleva comes in that size, it's a good fun street car tire - our go-to at FM.
red_stapler said:The Ubiquitous 205-50-15 that everything with 15" wheels ran in the early 2000s still have a lot of choices.
I could go 205/50 -- I ran them when I autocrossed. But they're a bit small: they look a bit undersized in the wheel wells, and 1st and 2nd gear are already pretty short.
205/60s might work, but the other issue is the rear axle isn't centered in the wheel well (an engineering error), the car is lowered, so I might have rubbing issues?? The axle can be centered, but the to-do list is already pretty long...
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