jmxa_06

I am more concerned with performance than looks (gasp).

If I kept the stock rims, what are my options for a tire size?
Am I stuck with the 185/60/15 size?
Anybody know the best tire in this class? I hear the stock ones are not so great.

If I went with other rims what is the best size?
Also, does the lowering spring option really make a differece to road handling.

thanks for the help.
sorry if this is a tired, old subject.

zyzyx6969

stock rims, go for 205/55/15 or 205/50/15
the lowering spring option DOES make a differece to road handling, for sure

jmxa_06

thanks for the tip.
curious...what makes the 205/50/15 better than the 185/60/15's?

BTW, this scion "subculture" is fantastic! These forums were a deciding factor whether I should invest in an xA.

I should get mine Tue (11/. Having a sunroof installed before purchase.
can't wait till next week.

thanks again.

davidbrady

if your looking for performance, upgrading to a 17" wheel with a lower profile tire will help alot with handling also

jmxa_06

don't want to sound like a total moron, but...
can you define "lower profile tire"?

davidbrady

ok, here is the clifs note version on tires. regardless of wheel size you want th eoutside diameter of the tire to remain the stock size otherwise you start messing with gear ratios and stuff. so in order to keep the same outside diameter of the tire AND add a larger wheel, something inbetween has to give, and that would be the sidewall. tires with smaller that normal sidewalls are refered to as "low profile" because the have a very low sidewall, tuners and racers preffer this because it helps with handleing. in hard turns your sidewall "rolls" with a low profile tire there is less sidwall to roll therfore making for a stiffer and better handling ride. the trade off is, with low profile tires there is less sidewall to "cushion" you, so it makes for a harsher ride, but 17" wheels seem to be a good balance between comfort and performance for the xA.

look at the tires in this pic, the outside diameter of these tires are the same as a stock tire, but look how much bigger the wheel is and how "low" the sidewalls are (fyi those are 18" wheels)

neotim

I would NOT go with a 205 width tire... it would fit, but be too big for your 5.5" wide rims. I bought 195/60/15, which is a tiny bit taller and a tiny bit wider than the stock tire, but still very close to stock. Also, the 195/60/15 is a lot cheaper than a lot of tires with a similar size when I bought mine from Discount Tire.

I also bought Falken Ziex 512's because I have them on my other car, and they have awesome grip in dry, wet, and snow. They were also ranked #1 by Consumer Reports, and they are priced very well. http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...65&rd=15&ar=60

hotbox05

if you can find them in such a weird and minuscle size get yokohama AVS ES100's