95 SC1 - what kind of tires can I use?

I have tires in the same size as stock (175/70-R14) but the front two
are wearing down.

I'm not terribly happy with these tires anyway, so I'm thinking of
replacing the whole set. But it's difficult to find decent tires in
that size.

Tirerack is recommending 185/70-R14, which is more common. Can I use
this tire size? Will I have any problems? Will I have to get new
wheels?

Thanks in advance.

 

The 175/70R14 can be found if you look for them, but was somewhat unique to
Saturn. We found some nice Cooper made 2000LTE's (70K miles) at Pep Boys
for $41 each. Even with installation, lifetime balancing/alignment, road
hazard package, and an alignment a set of 4 tires cost under $350.

As to substituting a different size, this can be done and given that both
are 14" and the increased width is only 10mm (under .4"), I would think they
would likely fit fine on your existing wheels provided there is sufficient
clearance. In the case you cited, replacing the 175's with 185's while
retaining the 70 profile would result in about a 5.7% (if my calculations
are correct) speedometer/odometer error (it would read lower than actual
speed).

Bob

 

Use the calculator to see what happens to your speedometer reading when you
change the size of your tires and wheels. The graphic shows your stock tire
selection in an outline overlaid on your new tire selection.

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

 

Better option is to use 185/65R14. This keeps about the same diameter but
tires are slightly larger. This size was recommanded to me by other dealer.

 

Nice site. Thanks for posting. This clearly shows that my earlier
calculation was incorrect. (I forgot to add the 7" - 177.8mm wheel radius
to the sidewall length so the speedometer error is less than half of what I
had estimated previously.

Bob

 

Other option is to check the circumferance of the stock tire by the
manufacture website, most list this infomation. Then you can up your width
to what ever you want (within reason) and know which tire is the same or
very close to your circumference. Minimal if any speedo error this way.

Anyone know how wide of rubber will fit on a 1999 SW2?
I'd like to go to a 205, i think stock is a 195/65/15 i'm thinking of
205/60/15 or 205/55//15 pending on manufacture.

 

Thanks. I ran this tire size through the Miata calculator and you're
right, it is very close. And a much better selection of tires too.