Just bought a 98 civic EX. I want to install some aftermarket tires/wheels. With that in mind I may want to lower the car some day in the future. What seems to be the most popular size tire/wheel combination to use on this model car? I'm not looking for super performance, just a good daily driver combo that fills or will fill the wheel well after the car has been lowered.

Ken

 

Just stick with stock which is 185/65-14

other possibilities are:
195/55-15
205/45-16
205/40-17 - not really recommended
215/35-18 - def not recommended, it will probably look stupid and rub at the same time.

so weather you stick with 14" tires or go to 15" or 16" is totally up to you. That is almost a personal choice.

If you need help selecting what rubber works best for you answer these questions:

1) what is the make/model/year/package of car you have and are there any mods.
2) what is your budget
3) what size rims do you have (include offset if you have it)
4) what is the climate that these tires will see? If you live in a snowy area do you have dedicated winter tires
5) what is the purpose of this car? Drag strip? Auto-X? Getting groceries? Daily driver with weekend play?
6) what is your budget and what is more important long life or stickyness?


Cheers.

 

As for wheels, thats like asking the exact count of male population in California...There are many options for wheels, you need to be more specific

 

I also believe you should stick with the 14" wheels, what a smooth and comfortable ride, especially in the city.

Here is 15" wheels



here is 17" wheels

 

After I posted the question, I realized the can of worms I opened. I'm looking for a little more sporty look and handeling. May try some autocross. I'm also concerned about offset. Don't want any rubbing going on! I'm leaning tword the 17" rim????? The original wheel set will be used in the winter. I guess I'm concerned about bent rims if going to a rubber band tire. Is a 40 series tire to low that I have to worry about bent rims. You know, no matter how carful you are you will still smak a curb or pothole! I think I'll let this post gow where it will. Thanks for the info to those that have posted and those who will post sometime in the future!

THANKS!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kenh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm looking for a little more sporty look and handeling.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bigger wheels give you a little more sporty look.

The biggest factor for handling and performance is the availability of stickier tires (much more so than any advantage of the tire size itself). There are a lot of different, excellent performance tires available in 15", 16", and 17" sizes, but very few in 14" sizes. So anything bigger than what you have will give you tire options with better handling and performance.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kenh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm also concerned about offset. Don't want any rubbing going on!</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you want to avoid rubbing, make sure you use the proper offset AND don't use a tire size that is too wide or whose diameter is larger than stock. The sizes posted by old man neri (195/55-15, 205/45-16, and 205/40-17), as well as 205/50-15, should all be fine for avoiding rubbing.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kenh &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess I'm concerned about bent rims if going to a rubber band tire. Is a 40 series tire to low that I have to worry about bent rims. You know, no matter how carful you are you will still smak a curb or pothole!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then don't get 17" rims (or larger). Stick to 15" or 16".

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rayz_Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I also believe you should stick with the 14" wheels, what a smooth and comfortable ride, especially in the city.

Here is 15" wheels



here is 17" wheels
</TD></TR></TABLE>

And here's 16" wheels.

 

ya, 16x7" is good, its what i'll be running this year.

Offset, 40-43 is ideal I believe. I went with 42 offset.

I've had 17's before, looked alittle off to me, so 16" will be nice this year

 

boostincoupe, damn oh damn what a tight looking coupe you have i love it!