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Thread: 2021 Mirage with 14" wheels. What tires besides 165/65/14 fit stock wheels without is

  1. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by CROSSBOLT View Post

    Going back up this thread, the 175/60R14 has been determined to fit. Mark, you may claim not to be a tire expert but you are at least a FIT expert!
    This may confuse readers even more, because 175/60r14 tires are more rare than factory size Mirage tires. Walmart carries one tire in that size. These are most common 14" tire sizes that seem to work for members without issue & offer several tire options -

    165/65r14 (factory size 14" tires) - Walmart offers 17 options tonight (some may be duplicates, however). These are 22.4" diameter tires.

    175/65r14 (14" tires, 23" diameter, only +2.7% variance) - Walmart offers 113 tire options tonight, & this is why some members consider this size. These tires are obviously slightly wider (10mm).

    185/60r14 (14" tires, 22.7" diameter, +1.3% variance) - Walmart offers 76 tire options tonight. These are 20mm wider than factory tires.

    You seldom hear anyone have issue with any of the three sizes I listed above. According to tire experts, anything within 3% variance is considered an acceptable change. Thus, the three size above are quite safe to consider in my opinion.

    Some members with 195+ wide tires have reported tire rubbing issues.

    I personally like 165/65r14 tires. For me, it's part of the Mirage's charm. I prefer narrow tires on small FWD cars, especially during the winter months. If I didn't have to deal with snow, I may be more inclined to use the other sizes. For now, I am content with the 165/65r14 tire offerings.

    If I don't like my pair of new 165/65r14 Kumho tires, I would be content/happy getting another pair of Nexen N'Priz AH5 tires. I would like to try the 165/65r14 Vredestein Quatrac 5 tires offered by Tire Rack some day, too. These may be the best all-weather tire option, but I wouldn't expect them to wear as well as the Kumho or Nexen tires during the summer months.

    As far as snow tires go, Nokian Nordman 7 or Dunlop Winter Maxx 2 tires will get the job done. Federal has offered a 165/65r14 snow tire in past, too.



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    Anyone put 195/50-15's on the stock GT rims? Lots of choice there, especially is you plan to take the Mirage to an autocross event

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2022 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 40.1 mpg (US) ... 17.0 km/L ... 5.9 L/100 km ... 48.1 mpg (Imp)


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    Quote Originally Posted by 88coltturbo View Post
    Anyone put 195/50-15's on the stock GT rims? Lots of choice there, especially is you plan to take the Mirage to an autocross event
    This guy has tried exactly the tire size you want and concludes it rubs https://mirageforum.com/forum/showth...ull=1#post6112

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    Quote Originally Posted by 88coltturbo View Post
    Anyone put 195/50-15's on the stock GT rims? Lots of choice there, especially is you plan to take the Mirage to an autocross event
    Personally, I feel 14" rims gives one more tire options than 15" rims for a Mirage. A 175/55r15 factory size tire is not a common size, but 185/55r15 is quite common in the States, & it has the same 23" outside diameter of 175/65r14 tires.

    A lower profile 185/55r15 tire may have a lower rolling resistance than a narrower 175/65r14. Given our tire market, these two choices should be the factory size tires for a Mirage in my opinion.

    195 wide tires have presented issues with some members in the past.

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    After reading that thread, it's clear that the car is lowered. And, it also seems the rims are not properly offset. Not surprised it's rubbing.

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        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2022 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 40.1 mpg (US) ... 17.0 km/L ... 5.9 L/100 km ... 48.1 mpg (Imp)


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    Quote Originally Posted by 88coltturbo View Post
    After reading that thread, it's clear that the car is lowered. And, it also seems the rims are not properly offset. Not surprised it's rubbing.
    That was an older thread. There have been several issues with 195 wide tires from other members in the past. I don't remember a 185 wide tire having the same issue for anyone.

    I think 165-185 is a good range of width for a Mirage. Adding more width can actually reduce your traction with such a lightweight car.

    Here are copied & pasted comments from other forum threads -

    "So just a little heads up:

    I'm running a 15x6.5 wheel (+38) and 195/50/15 tires. I carried my first passenger in the back seat today, and on a stock suspension when you'd go over a dip or a bump, it rubbed in the rear. It rubbed enough to take a bit of rubber off the tire and bend the fender lip a tad. If you never carry rear passenger, it's probably not an issue, however, I had a front passenger, a rear passenger, and a suitcase, and it rubbed pretty bad.

    I'm planning on getting a set of Eibach springs, and I'm worried my +38 wheels and 1" of lowering will be really bad. Then again, if the spring rate is stiffer, maybe it'd be ... better?"

    from Subcompact Culture

    "I had the same experience 15x7, 38 offset, 195/50 tire. Shaving big long 1/8" slivers out of the outside of the tread blocks in the rear anytime I hit a big bump when carrying a passenger.

    The car is a little funky to fit wide tires on. The front likes 38 offset, and could actually do 35. The rear really needs more like 45 to keep it off of the fender lips. 38-40 is a good compromise if you want to roll the rear fenders. And with that... you can run 195's, but not 205's.

    Good news there is that unless you're autocrossing or something, you really don't need more than 195 on a Mirage."

    from Loren (who raced his Mirage)

    165/65r14 factory - 175/65r14 & 185/60r14 are good alternatives for more 14" tire options.
    175/55r15 factory - 185/55r15 is a good alternative for more 15" tire options.

    Not saying 195 wide tires will not work, but they may require extra care (requiring different offset rims) like you already mentioned.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    Have you looked at Walmart on line?

    Walmart also lists the 165/65r14 Nexen N'Priz AH5 tires, but the Kumho tires have a better rating (500AA/60,000 mile warranty) for less money. I personally feel the Kumho tire may be the best 165/65r14 tire deal around @ the moment. You could have them shipped to your nearest Walmart auto service center (free shipping).
    I actually went with the Nexens. They are tiny tiny tires. So thin. When my first set went out on my 14 mirage, the dealership put IRON MAN tires that were a different size on it. Because finding the right size is hard. I've had no problems and have had my AH5's for two months.

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    I put 175s on my mirage they look great but I've had to trim insides of the back wings (easy) to stop rubbing on bumpy road with 4 up!

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    Quote Originally Posted by M3dave View Post
    I put 175s on my mirage they look great but I've had to trim insides of the back wings (easy) to stop rubbing on bumpy road with 4 up!
    Are different size 175 tires. Are you referring to 175/65r14 tires?

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    Quote Originally Posted by M3dave View Post
    I put 175s on my mirage they look great but I've had to trim insides of the back wings (easy) to stop rubbing on bumpy road with 4 up!
    What wings are you referring to?



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