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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)
I don't think 18" wheels look good on most small to mid-size SUVs let alone tiny cars. I don't understand the infatuation with large rims & low profile tires? I really don't!
When I see low profile tires on an SUV, I think worthless! It's not a good look to me. It impresses me even less on a tiny car. Just being honest!
It's sort of like adding lifts to a pickup truck. Sort of makes the pickup useless for what it was designed for. Take an expensive rig to begin with and make it somewhat worthless to use? Why?
Doesn't seem all that different than taking a small economy car & adding huge wheels to it.
If someone likes 18" wheels, they should buy a car to go with them. A basic Chevy Camaro comes with standard 18" wheels.
The origins of low profile tires lie in performance, right? Low profile tires are considered to improve handling & cornering. It has been a trend in tires for decades and is nothing new.
If low profile tires help 'improve' the ride and handling of a sports car, this perception gets carried over to other models. Because each car company needs to sell their cars as somehow performing. It's marketing.
I thought is was common knowledge that larger diameter wheels helps clear obstacles? Suspension lifts allow wheels larger than what the stock suspension will allow. If an owner wants to clear more obstacles and make their truck more useful to them, bigger wheels are called for.
Except larger wheels will roll over obstacles more easily and a smaller diameter wheel will give a more harsh ride. Heck, even the Mirage doesn't use 12" or 13" rims and the overall wheel diameter is larger than what was sold on this size car in the past.
I agree with you that all this is largely unnecessary. Low profile tires have more risk of damage from road hazards because there is less compressible material in the pneumatic tire there to absorb impacts. At highway speeds, a taller vehicle is less stable and more prone to rollover. Tall tires may allow clearing more obstacles off road. Not every four- and all-wheel drive vehicle sold today gets to use those features, much less go off road (I know you use yours.)
However, these things sell cars. Car companies make it their business to know what sells cars. Take for example the Jeep. Beyond being able to do many tasks, part of the popularity of what has survived from a war-time utility vehicle is it's ability for their owners to personalize it - to make it how they want it. Jeep picked up on that and has used it to their advantage.
Don't get me wrong - I agree with much of what you were saying. It surprises me how much aftermarket wheel sets go for, or how much replacement tires cost for these weird sizes. I'm sure you were just venting some of your frustrations. In the spirit of conversation, I'm only answering some questions that were posed. It's not my thing and I don't care about it that much.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)
In general - Lower profile tires = better handling. Higher profile tires = better ride. I think most car/truck guys are going to know that.
I am responding to someone stating -
"185/40/18 would fit no issues. If it exists... a 185/35/19 should as well."
Go to walmart.com, simpletire.com, or tirerack.com & search for those sizes?
A 14" or 15" tire is already a good size tire for a small economy car. In the American market, the Mirage should come with 175/65r14 or 185/55r15 factory tires. I don't say this because those are superior sizes for the Mirage. I say it because they are a perfect match (23" outside diameter), and they are a somewhat common tire size found here.
You go outside those two sizes, and your tire choices dwindle quite rapidly.
I welcome anyone to list what 185/40r18 (23.8") or 185/35r19 (24.4") tires are available. What's available?
I am not trying to be a jerk here. I would hate to see someone buy 18" or 19" rims like it was suggested and think they are going to put 165, 175, or 185 wide tires on them that easily.
I think the same way sometimes, no sense posting incorrect information. But if someone is insistent on ordering 19" wheels for a mirage then let them be, you can't fix that.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)
So far as I know only 1 member has ran 17” rims. No one that I know of have tried 18” or higher. The 17” Oz WRC’s rims would barely fit in the rear without fender rolling.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)
Fummins (07-31-2019)
195/45/R16
My new ride
inuvik (10-10-2019)
Looks great!
Any specs on those wheels (width & offset)?
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)
Harris (10-11-2019)
When you think the largest modern passenger cars ever made, Caddy Eldorado, Olds 98, etc, I mean these things were gigantic and they all rolled along on 15" wheels and looked fine.
Zero, 2014 ES Plus 5MT, written off but not forgotten.
Zero II, 2014 SE, 5MT, climate She's HOME now!
Shelby AKA "Cute", 2017 ES 5MT, A/C.
Mirage owners look at the world differently than everyone else, but in a better way
We're driving the Beetle of the 21st century, the greatest small car now available!
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View my fuel log 2017 Mirage ES PLus 1.2 manual: 39.0 mpg (US) ... 16.6 km/L ... 6.0 L/100 km ... 46.8 mpg (Imp)