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tweetiedancer explained what I meant by "negligible" so, yes, diff between 195/65 and 195/60 is small. See here: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
All 9000s had 15x6 or wider rims (some were 16"). The ubiquitous 15-spoke "sunburst" rims for the 9000 are 15x6 with a 33mm offset, vs. the c900 version at 15x5.5" with a 40mm offset. The wider rims fit the c900 just fine (I have a set of 15x6s from a V6 9000).
I'm not particularly fond of the super aeros -- they rub (also have a set of these). The offset isn't a good fit for the c900. They do look pretty swell, though. Heavy bastards.
Anyway, if handling performance is your primary goal, then more rubber is the easiest way to get it. That and a custom alignment (searching "alignment specs" or "custom alignment" should turn up mo' info). As for rims, borrowing from a 9000 is the easiest/cheapest way to get more than a 195 on your car.
Last, if *ALL* you care about is handling, then get a set of 205/50-15 Falken Azenis, which are basically the grippiest tires on the market right now. They're also only ~$70 apiece online (tires.com, vulcantire.com, edgeracing.com, et al). If you go to yer local autocross and look at the tires used by the guys who run in classes with rules that dictate street tires only, 95% will have Azenis.
Don't let the low price fool you -- they are phenomenal summer-only tires. Let me go back on my own free advice for a moment: These tires have VERY stiff sidewalls, stiff enough to run them on a 5.5" rim. Most other 205s are better-suited to mounting on wider rims. The Azenis are also *very* wide -- compare a 205 Azenis to most any 225 on the market and the Azenis will be as wide and, in some cases, wider!
If you decide on Falkens, get 'em quick, as a new model is slated to arrive any day now, and they are more expensive. The old, cheap ones are "RT-215" and the new ones "RT-615". The new ones may be just as good, if not better (said to have better wet weather performance, but grip is unknown as yet) and are still sub-$100/tire. Even if they're only marginally better, that's still a pretty good deal for ultra-high perf. tires.
posted by 24.19.37...
, Sat, 19 Feb 2005 11:19:38
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