Miata tire sizing

[chuck b]

Can someone please confirm that 205 tires will work with a stock '90 Miata? Unfortunately, I'm asking after the fact as Dwight and I struggled getting these stiff suckers onto the 5 1/2 " rims last night.
My worry is due to these tires being Hoosiers (these tires are the discontinued A3S03). Sitting next to a set of 205 Kumho Victoracers, they stood a full ~5" higher for the stack of four! Five inches!
If they don't fit due to rubbing, would the allowable spacer help, or does it then rub on the fender? Does this spacer work with the current wheel studs? Will these tires limit the alignment, again due to rubbing?

thx
out

[MNbiker]

205's are pretty commonly used on the 5.5" and 6" stock wheels, from what I've heard & seen. I've even heard of a few crazy souls running 225's! on the 5.5" wheels. Rubbing shouldn't be a problem.

According to Andy Hollis, the 205/55-14 will fit fine, but may not put a lot more tread to the ground, versus the 195.
http://forum.miata.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=003237

Dwight's not set up very well to handle some of the more extreme Stock-class tire/wheel combos. I know Norm's Tire in Little Canada can handle the mounting no problem. Not sure if they're conveniently located for you, though.

-Steve

[AlexL]

I've got 205 Avons on 14x6 wheels on my car, and the only problem I have is that I need to let air out of one of the tires to get it in the trunk.

[phile]

I've got 205 Avons on 14x6 wheels on my car, and the only problem I have is that I need to let air out of one of the tires to get it in the trunk.
I'm almost sure that you can buy a luggage rack for a Miata. Give it that real sports-car look.