For anyone wanting 'fatter' tires, it looks like the best way to go about it is probably to go with 14 inch wheels
For the front, the stock 145/65-15 can be replaced with a 165/65-14 and you wind up with a tire two sizes wider, but still the correct overall diameter and circumference, so no change to the revolutions per mile. You will need a 5 or 5.5 inch wide rim with an offset in the 35mm to 45mm range. The 165/65-14 tire is available in a low rolling resistance tire made by Bridgestone
For the rear, the stock 175/60-15 could be replaced with a 195/60-14 and again, you'd have a tire two sizes wider, but still with the same diameter and circumference, so the revolutions per mile and the gearing would remain the same . . . . no appreciable changes. You would need a 5.5 or 6 inch wide 4X100mm wheel and those are very common - Miatas and other small Japanese cars of the '80's and '90's used 14 inch wheels in that size. Early Miatas ('90 to '93') came with 5.5 inch wide 14 inch alloy wheels (steel too if you prefer) so a set of those may fit front and rear without any modifications
I have a set of the BBS forged 'basketweave' alloy wheels that I took off my Miata and I bolted them on the car the other day and they look great, but 6 inches is too wide for the fronts. For me to use these, 2 of them will need to be narrowed from 6 inches to 5, both to fit the car and to properly fit the 165/65 tire. I think I'll have an inch cut out of the rim and the lip welded back on. Should cost me less than $200 to do this
This is just an example of what would fit . . . . not an endorsement for anyone to do the same. Cutting and rewelding wheels to make them either wider or narrower is a pretty common practice in the motorcycle world. I don't see why cutting a 6 inch alloy wheel down to 5 inches shouldn't be safe and practical, but as with any other modification of this type, proceed at your own risk. When/if I get this done for my car, I'll post pics
If you decide to try something similar, try bolting the wheels on the car first to make sure you have enough clearance up front before you rush out and buy the tires. The 165/65 tires will fit in the front fenders fine. The 14 inch front wheels could rub the suspension unless the wheels are narrow enough to clear. It does depend on the offset as well, so try it before you buy it. No problems with the rear at all - 14 inch wheels of any width fit just fine
Don
For the front, the stock 145/65-15 can be replaced with a 165/65-14 and you wind up with a tire two sizes wider, but still the correct overall diameter and circumference, so no change to the revolutions per mile. You will need a 5 or 5.5 inch wide rim with an offset in the 35mm to 45mm range. The 165/65-14 tire is available in a low rolling resistance tire made by Bridgestone
For the rear, the stock 175/60-15 could be replaced with a 195/60-14 and again, you'd have a tire two sizes wider, but still with the same diameter and circumference, so the revolutions per mile and the gearing would remain the same . . . . no appreciable changes. You would need a 5.5 or 6 inch wide 4X100mm wheel and those are very common - Miatas and other small Japanese cars of the '80's and '90's used 14 inch wheels in that size. Early Miatas ('90 to '93') came with 5.5 inch wide 14 inch alloy wheels (steel too if you prefer) so a set of those may fit front and rear without any modifications
I have a set of the BBS forged 'basketweave' alloy wheels that I took off my Miata and I bolted them on the car the other day and they look great, but 6 inches is too wide for the fronts. For me to use these, 2 of them will need to be narrowed from 6 inches to 5, both to fit the car and to properly fit the 165/65 tire. I think I'll have an inch cut out of the rim and the lip welded back on. Should cost me less than $200 to do this
This is just an example of what would fit . . . . not an endorsement for anyone to do the same. Cutting and rewelding wheels to make them either wider or narrower is a pretty common practice in the motorcycle world. I don't see why cutting a 6 inch alloy wheel down to 5 inches shouldn't be safe and practical, but as with any other modification of this type, proceed at your own risk. When/if I get this done for my car, I'll post pics
If you decide to try something similar, try bolting the wheels on the car first to make sure you have enough clearance up front before you rush out and buy the tires. The 165/65 tires will fit in the front fenders fine. The 14 inch front wheels could rub the suspension unless the wheels are narrow enough to clear. It does depend on the offset as well, so try it before you buy it. No problems with the rear at all - 14 inch wheels of any width fit just fine
Don