Hi,
I have a 2004 G35X and I need new tires before snow falls. Thinking of mounting 215/65 or 60's for a bit of a softer more gentle ride. I don't race tracks on weekend or drive super crazy on hwy.
Mostly daily commute and the occasional long distance road trip (Mpls to Chicago) every so often.
Would the 60's or 65's adversely affect the handling or acceleration characteristics of the car.
Would the change to the bigger tires make a noticeable difference in ride quality?

 

No way, please do NOT do this! These are some HUGE tires LOL.

 

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Both tires will work on your car. But I think you may actually not
like the result. I had really big tires on my 2004 G35X once and I
found that it really ruined the ride because the tire was heavier.
That tire size was 235/55-17. Right now I am running 225/55-17 and I
find that a very good size.

Larger diameter tires will make your acceleration slower.

 

Anything larger than a 215/55/17 for a softer ride I think you should look into buying a different car. They ride like marshmallows.

I definitely would NOT go to a 65 series tire. If anything like drkay said maybe jump to a 225/55 or something along those sorts. Gives you a little more sidewall while retaining somewhat the same look.

 

Larger diameter tires = less acceleration, potentially more weight, raising the car up some, possible rubbing issues in the wheels wells, etc.

If a softer ride is what you want, look into new shocks/struts.

 

Thanks guys. Guess thats a no on the higher ratio sidewall. Will stick with 55's.
Drkay, do you have any rubbing on the wheel wells with your 225's like when doing uturns etc. or do the 225's fit the car without any rubbing.

I just bought the car, I don't want to ruin anything unnecessarily if the pay off of a softer ride isn't going to be that great (though I like the idea of using wider tires because I'm in MN, more tread to cut into that fresh snow, should provide a better grip overall , summer and winter).

 

Actually the opposite is true. You want narrower tires for snow and ice.

 

I had 235/50-17 (same overall diameter) on stock rims and 1 inch spacers x4 and no rubbing. now I am running 225/55-17. With the spacers and there's no rubbing at all.

 

+1

With snow driving, you want narrow tires. It cuts through the snow better (rather than riding up on top of it) and more weight on less surface area for better traction

 

If you want a softer ride, buy tires designed more for comfort. I am fairly sure there are some 'comfort' type tires out there for that size wheel. I noticed a bigger difference with the type of tire on my car vs upping the size.