I posted this in tires/wheels forum but only got a couple views with no replys. I need to decide tonight.

I'm getting new tires, probably cheaper ones but i'm not sure what size to get. I have a 90 GXL with stock wheels (15x6). Should I go with 205/50/15, 215/50/15 or 225/50/15? I'm looking for best handling, thats it.

 

I'm not sure the tire sizes you listed are a fair comparison. They are all different overall heights which will affect your gearing (acceleration). See this site to compare the tire sizes and such:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

(NOTE: Stock tire size on a 90 GXL is 205/60-15.)

I saw a thread on here a few days ago on a similar topic while searching. I think a 225 width will fit on a 6" wide rim (barely). Here are some other threads on the topic:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ght=225%2F5015

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ght=225%2F5015

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=178604

 

I'd say the biggest you'd need would be a 215. I'd go with the 205, (personal preference)

 

I would go with 205/55-15 or 205/50-15 and choose a tire with a stiff sidewall (max or ultra high performance or ultra high all season - depending on your needs).

It's hard to get a really good tire in 205/60-15 unless you would be satisfied with a Yokohama AVS ES100. Plus you would pick up some at the wheel torque with the shorter tires.

Good Luck

 

I ordered 205/50/15's and I get a call saying they are too short for the load capacity but I can go wider like 215/60/15's... wtf, I thought most people go shorter than stock?

 

Best of the cheap tires - Kuhmo 712 or 711's.
Go to tires.com, print the price sheet, go to your local tire store and ask the how close can they come.

I'm running 225/50-15 Kuhmo 711's ($56ea) & since the tread is wider then the rim, I get little side shift before they grip in a corner. (But man do they grip.)

By the way pressure is critical. I use 27PSI rear & 30 PSI front.

 

225/50-15

 

I ordered Kumho 712's in 205/50/15 and got a call that they won't meet the load capacity. He said I can go wider like 215/60/15 but not shorter.