For a '95 Honda Accord LX Wagon lowered 2 inches...currently running 205/50R16 and want more meat...

 

Why? A wider tire will not give you better performance, a better tire will give you better performance.

 

A wider tire will weigh more, in the worst place. (the outermost edge of the wheel)

 

Yup. If you're looking for better performance, concentrate on getting better, stickier tires, not wider tires.

The best performing street tires you can put on 16" wheels on your car are the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in 205/50-16. Excellent dry traction, excellent wet traction, very good treadlife, moderately high price ($114/tire at the Tire Rack). They will make a huge difference from other street tires and you will be amazed at the difference. If you're looking for performance, this is the way to go, instead of getting wider tires that won't give you as much traction.

Your selection in 15" sizes is more limited, and you will need to settle for "budget performance tires" whose performance and price are less than top-of-the-line tires. In 195/60-15 you can get the Yokohama ES100 for $79. You can also get 205/55-15 and get the Kumho Ecsta SPT for $52 after rebate (rebate expires Monday). (The SPT also comes in 205/50-16 for $60 after rebate, if you're willing to trade off some performance for a lower purchase price than the Goodyears.)

 

Didn't think about that...figured a wider tire would give me more grip...forgot about rubber compound.

Thank you for re-enlightening me. As far as going back to 15s go, I figure depending on the rim it would be a lot lighter than my 16s and provide better acceleration...but I guess I can live w/ the 16s.