So are 205-45-17 better to not have rubbing issues but still handle well? Sorry to thread jack but I'm looking at getting new tires soon and my 215 are rubbing
its only a 7" wheel, so not much. (depending on who you ask) you could probably get 225/40's to fit, but not without sacrificing performance. going wider on a narrow rim is not always the best for performance. 215/45's are probably the widest you "should" go on a 7" rim. an 8" rim with 215's would be better.
dropping the tire to a 215/40-17 would give a nice bump in response and handling.
I'm curious...what decrease in performance would having a wider contact patch cause? Sure there's a little more rolling resistance, but it seems to me that more grip (because of a wider contact patch) = better cornering, better acceleration and braking.