Tire Question

[imported_DIYperformance]

My wife just bought an 03 corolla s. I can't stand the wheels, so these are the first things on this car to go bye-bye. I was looking at the Falken torque5's in gunmetal because the car is dark blue, but I'm wondering about the tires. I found a good price from a company with 205/40/17's, which is what my civic has. But they were trying to tell me that due to the car being larger than my civic, they would recommend a 215/45/17, and that a 205/40 would ride like crap. Now if I've learned anything since I've moved to Florida, it's don't trust people in Miami . My car rides fine, and I know plenty of 4 door civics running 205/40's?

Of course, to step up the size is another $70, which is why I smell BS.

What do you think?

[Toyz-B-Us]

Usually the best bet is to keep the diameter of the origional tires. By using the chart on this link, you should be able to figure out what is best for the car.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[Calesta]

The Corolla S's tires are actually QUITE a bit larger than the 92-00 Civic's. If you put 205/40/17 tires on there, you'll be almost 2 inches shorter than stock, and your speedometer will read more than 6% faster than it should. That's not a good idea. It'll also look like shit because your wheel/tire setup will be shorter, and your wheel gap will quite a bit worse than before.

Here, I did some quick math for you to compare.

92-95 Civic = 185/60/14 = 577.6mm
2003 Corolla S = 195/65/15 = 634.5mm

205/40/17 = 595.8mm = -6.10% bad idea
205/50/17 = 636.8mm = +0.36%
215/45/17 = 625.3mm = -1.45%
215/50/17 = 646.8mm = +1.94%
225/45/17 = 634.3mm = -0.03%
205/40/18 = 621.2mm = -2.10%
205/45/18 = 641.7mm = +1.13%
215/40/18 = 629.2mm = -0.84%
225/40/18 = 637.2mm = +0.43%
215/35/19 = 633.1mm = -0.22%
225/35/19 = 640.1mm = +0.88%
225/30/20 = 643mm = +1.34%

I bolded the sizes you really should be looking at.

If you're worried about price, I would go with the 205/50/17 tire. It's your best match in the cheapest size. If you want some more meat on the road, try the 225/45/17 or the 225/40/18. You'll pay extra though. If you want some serious bling, go with the 19s. Tires actually do exist in those sizes- but you'll pay about $150 each for them. The 20s run over $300 apiece, but they're sweet.



Quick searches on Tire Rack:

205/50/17 Sumitomo HTR Z = $78
205/50/17 Sumitomo HTR Z II = $81

225/45/17 Kumho Ecsta 711 = $73
225/45/17 Sumitomo HTR+ = $85

225/40/18 Kumho Ecsta 711 = $75

Happy hunting. Hope this helps.

[Smooth_Imports]

Just and FYI 711's suck I'm riding on them now and will never buy them again. Very very very slippery in the rain.

[imported_DIYperformance]

Wow, thanks Calesta. That's alot of info, I appreciate it. I didn't think I'd fit a 225 on that car, but I'm leaning to the 215/45/17, unless a 225 fits perfectly and is only a few bucks cheaper.