So I'm slowly bringing my $400 2005 CTS back to life and I find myself enjoying it. The previous owner just had new tires installed at Discount Tire in January, and they only have 1k miles or so. However, they're some off brand Radar Dimax AS-8 tires made in Thailand. I'm normally not a fan of cheaping out on tires and stick with name brands. The main issue is the size that was installed is 205/60R16, but the car originally came with 225/55/R16. They're almost identical in diameter so the speedometer is right, but they look so skinny. Am I losing out on a lot of handling/stability with this narrower tire? I spoke to Discount Tire and they said I could trade them in for a total credit of $100.
Need Advice on Tire Size
- Thread starter RoGuE
- Start date
Do you want to spend $1000 on tires for a $400 vehicle?
Not really. I assume you're not going to make a 20 year old $400 gm product squeal in the corners or on the brakes especially during the rain. Do whatever makes you feel well and if that's spending at $600 on new tires or more go ahead but if it was mine I'd be happy that it has 1k old tires of some kind instead of whatever old tires it would have had instead. Heck he probably spent $400 putting those tires on in January before selling it to you for $400.
It just sounded funny like that. I initially spent $400 on it because the timing chains were shot. I replaced them as well as a lot of other "while I'm there" stuff and after registration and taxes, it's become more like an $1800 car. I've also never spent anywhere near $1000 on tires for a sedan.
The stack of records that came with it and what I saw while under it reveals that a lot of suspension has been replaced over the years. It is actually pretty fun to drive. And yeah, the person I bought it from told me they definitely spent more than what I paid for it on tires.
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Keep the tires on it. There is no need in spending money on new tires unless they are worn out.
You're in such a plum place...sprucing up a 20 year old Caddy which was taken care of in the first place.
Keep doing what you're doing and leave the tires be for now.
Better a suspension out-of-spec condition wear these tires unevenly than a set of your chosen favorites.
You say you've registered it? How many miles have you put on it so far?
At the very least, you can wait for a big tire sale.
Keep doing what you're doing and leave the tires be for now.
Better a suspension out-of-spec condition wear these tires unevenly than a set of your chosen favorites.
You say you've registered it? How many miles have you put on it so far?
At the very least, you can wait for a big tire sale.
Okay, I just wanted to get other opinions. My OCD was just bugging me having the wrong tires on it. lol. I'll leave it be then. I have registered it now that I got the engine running. I've put about 100 miles on it so I'm satisfied it's reliable enough to put some more money into it (more than the hoses and belts and starter I've also put in it). I'm going to change the diff fluid and do a transmission pan drop next.
Don't go by "looks skinny". If the tires handle reasonably well, save your money and just roll on!
There is more difference between make/model of tire than there is between tires of the same size.
My advice would be to leave things alone until you need new tires.
My advice would be to leave things alone until you need new tires.
Consider the skinny 14" tires used on Benzes and Bey-Em-Veys for years, cars that were noted for good handling.
There is more to the equation than dry grip.
I think these tires will be fine for as long as they last, assuming they have adequate weight capacity for your car.
There is more to the equation than dry grip.
I think these tires will be fine for as long as they last, assuming they have adequate weight capacity for your car.
Post details of the car, please. Color, mileage, garaged? "Everybody loves a $400 Caddy story"
Take your pick:
They're 92V ST...a "60,000 mi. rating", I bet they wear fast.
Accept DT's $100 offer and get new tires now. FYI: DT's price for new Radar Dimax is $75 in 205-60-16 .
Work a better deal elsewhere.
Give take-offs to a friend.
Post 4 FREE TIRES on craig or bulletin board. use remote drop-off point.
Sell take-offs for >$100 if it's worth the effort.
Use the 205's as you message this car. <<my choice
You may tire of this project sooner than you think. You could sell it now with 'good rubber'. A win-win?
See the ^^ pun?
Take your pick:
They're 92V ST...a "60,000 mi. rating", I bet they wear fast.
Accept DT's $100 offer and get new tires now. FYI: DT's price for new Radar Dimax is $75 in 205-60-16 .
Work a better deal elsewhere.
Give take-offs to a friend.
Post 4 FREE TIRES on craig or bulletin board. use remote drop-off point.
Sell take-offs for >$100 if it's worth the effort.
Use the 205's as you message this car. <<my choice
You may tire of this project sooner than you think. You could sell it now with 'good rubber'. A win-win?
See the ^^ pun?
I always found this website handy at visualizing size between two tires.
https://tiresize.com/comparison/
https://tiresize.com/comparison/
You say the previous owner just had "new" tires installed on the Caddy, albeit the wrong size. Did you happen to check the date stamps on said " new" tires ?? I'm not a fan of Discount Tires. They're discounted for a reason, ( like their old). If he date stamp falls within the 5-6 year chuck em time frame, then keep them and burn em out. Their gonna wear fast anyway, their the wrong size for the car. Save you're money for what ever " uh oh's" might pop up during you're restoration process.
Watch Facebook Marketplace for your tire size in "gently used" then have yours peeled off to sell "gently used" yourself.
If you can do timing chains, you can figure out the HF tire mounter-dismounter. Though you would have to have them balanced, but WM does a "one time" balance for around $6 a tire.
I'd run the car another couple thousand miles; it's no hurry. Get a feel for what you've got.
If you can do timing chains, you can figure out the HF tire mounter-dismounter. Though you would have to have them balanced, but WM does a "one time" balance for around $6 a tire.
I'd run the car another couple thousand miles; it's no hurry. Get a feel for what you've got.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
So, if car is not worth more than tires, it is not susceptible to the laws of physics?
Ha ha. Are you a physics professor? What's your resume regarding physics, and tire sizes? Are you at least an engineer?
Simple fact, the tires on the car are 6 months old, and the correct diameter. Unless the OP is racing around, plowing into corners at high G levels, the tires will be just fine.
Focus attention on higher priority area. If the car turns out to be a gem, consider new tires later.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
What that has to do with $1000 tires on $400 vehicle? Simple fact is that your post says that $1000 tires is somehow not worth it on $400 vehicle?
As for physics, I have elementary school. They teach that there. You should try it too.
Personally, I would finish the restoration, and wait until it becomes a daily driver, or whatever plans you have for it. Then chuck/ sell those things and put on a good set of 225/55/16's. That's what the car calls for and is designed for. Peace of mind after that is done. Just don't know how close you are to completion. If you're close, do what Kira says 7 posts up, and take DT's offer.
Those are certainly plenty of options. It's a black 2005 CTS Base with the 3.6L at 184k miles that two shops said has lots of blowby and isn't worth fixing. Well it runs like a sewing machine now and runs strong. I can't point to where they came up with that diagnosis. The body is straight but the paint definitely needs some TLC. Only part that I can't fix with polish is the peeling paint on the hood but I may try painting it myself one day. Just worried about getting all the mechanicals in order first. The interior is in really decent shape, other than the drivers seat cushion and some crack on the dash. Just changed the diff fluid and snapped a pic on my test drive.
They are fairly new tires. Date code shows 41st week of 2024. I've used Discount Tire a lot and only one time got tires that were already a year old, usually they're newer.
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Run the tires and enjoy the car.
If, however, the look is too disappointing for you, then jump on FB marketplace. This CTS has the 5x120 bolt pattern, correct? If so - you can find some really nice wheels from a newer Cadillac CT5 or any other, often with like-new tires. Great option for an OEM+ look.
Some Tesla wheels will fit, as well as Corvette wheels.
Tons of aftermarket and original BMW wheels have the 5x120 bolt pattern, so there are lots of good looking options. Square or staggered setups.
In my area I see price ranges of $200-$500 for just wheels, or $300-$700 for a great condition wheels & tires combo. Many will negotiate. I do this often, if I find clean wheels with new tires, money talks.
And you can always sell your current set to recoup some cost, or keep it as spares.
I always use "tiresize.com" to see how new tires will compare to OEM in size, rotation, MPH, etc.
If, however, the look is too disappointing for you, then jump on FB marketplace. This CTS has the 5x120 bolt pattern, correct? If so - you can find some really nice wheels from a newer Cadillac CT5 or any other, often with like-new tires. Great option for an OEM+ look.
Some Tesla wheels will fit, as well as Corvette wheels.
Tons of aftermarket and original BMW wheels have the 5x120 bolt pattern, so there are lots of good looking options. Square or staggered setups.
In my area I see price ranges of $200-$500 for just wheels, or $300-$700 for a great condition wheels & tires combo. Many will negotiate. I do this often, if I find clean wheels with new tires, money talks.
And you can always sell your current set to recoup some cost, or keep it as spares.
I always use "tiresize.com" to see how new tires will compare to OEM in size, rotation, MPH, etc.
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