Tire Help

[TOMSTER]

I have a 2002 Protege ES. I hit a curb on those wonderful Philly Side streets and messed up my rim and stock tires. The tires are
P195/50/R16 83V

My roomate has a pair from his acura in the basement that are P205/55R16 89V

I have the stock alloy rims option for this car, will these other tires (from the acura) fit my car?

Please email tom@ordianryworld.com with your help.

Thanks!:confused:

[goldstar]

The 205/55-16 tires are not a good choice for your car. The 205 section width might give you better handling but the 55 profile giving the sidewall more flexibility than stock will probably worsen handling giving no net gain. Even worse, since the overall tire diameter is increased your speedometer will give an inaccurate reading and due to the increased diameter and tire weight over stock, your rate of acceleration could be slowed.

To find alternate-sized tires for your car, go to this site:
www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

IMO stick with the stock size tires or try 205/50-16's. According to a number of people who have tried them, they may give you somewhat better handling due to increased section width without excessive speedometer error.

Incidently, welcome to the Forum.

02 DX Millenium Red

[Coqui258]

(off the topic) Nice to see you live in Philly too! And I have something better then the Philly curbs, how about the potholes? Got a HUGE bubble on the side of my tire...

[KYMP5]

If you need new tires pm me, i can hook you up with something pretty reasonable

[TOMSTER]

goldstar - Thanks for the info. I ordered a new tire from Dunlop as a replacement. BTW I have an 02 ES that is Millenium Red... Welcome to the forum as well.


Coqui258 - I just moved here from Michigan not too long ago.. I have seen some potholes here bigger than Lake Michigan.. What's the deal?


KYMP5 - I am looking to replace just the one for now... I am looking for a repalcement rim though. The chunk missing will drive me nuts..

[Coqui258]

HAHAHAHA.... the one I hit was in Franklin Mills... it hurt sooooo badly!

[TOMSTER]

This was one of the old cobble stone side streets in center city...

[KYMP5]

no prob man, when you need them hit me up and ill hook you up

[Coqui258]

OUCH... I hate those roads! I'm like "sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry" to my car when I drive through them! Although, I would love to take a loose one and keep it as a memoir just in case they decide to get rid of those roads!

[TOMSTER]

Are there many other Mazda Lovers in the Philly area? Or are we a special bread?

[Coqui258]

Well there are a LOT of P5's around, just haven't seen many on this board... maybe cause most don't really have access to the internet. I haven't seen much speeds at ALL, except when I'm in NJ. So I guess that makes us a special breed, kinda?! Which service place do you go to here in Philly?

[TOMSTER]

I bought the car in November from Maple Shade Mazda. I have been bringing it there for service. The only other dealer I have used is Faulkner on Route 1, and that was to have some keys made...

I have seen a couple MS in the Northeast... I see P5's all the time around where I live (East Falls)

Where do you usually go?

[Coqui258]

Well I bought my P5 from Sussman Mazda on Easton Road in Willow Grove, and I took my car in for service about 2 miles away at their Jenkintown Rd service station. I'll be going there for inspections since they're free and for other stuff I'll go to Faulkner, since I heard they have excellent service.

[TOMSTER]

Are the inspections free because you bought your car there?

[Coqui258]

Well I don't know... I went to a new members meeting where they discussed the service department, blah blah blah, and as an incentive, we receive free inspections (not emissions) when we go there.

[Coqui258]

KYMP5, check your PM's... I'm interested in a tire if you can get a good price...