My son insists that the stock tires (185/65 R14) don't handle well, and has been using 195's. This size is getting hard to find & more expensive than the stock tire. Eric the Car Guy recommends following the manufacturer's recommendation. What do you guys & gals think?

 

Not sure what to recommend, as this is a point of opinion.

195/60/14 is a very acceptable size. It's a little shorter and wider than 185/65/14. There's no harm in using it...except that the speedo will be *slightly* off. Not that the speedo is accurate from the factory anyway.

Availability is definitely worse for 195/60/14. 195/60 is a size more condusive to performance tires. So that might be the reason your son feels like they handle better.

195/60/14H was the original size and speed/performance rating on tires for some models of earlier Civics, Del Sol's and Integras.

Compare apples to apples. What brand and model of tires are on the car? Try to find that brand and model in 185/65, if that's what you want.

Discounttiredirect.com or tirerack should both carry either one of those sizes in a number of different brands.