just curious....is it possible to run the same size tires all around in a coupe...this way tire life can be extended via rotations.....perhaps a wider size all around won't hurt handling too much....anyone have any input?

 

Well there's this thing in your coupe called Vehicle Dynamic Control, which is programmed with the Front/Rear staggered bias in mind. This is just one reason.

But you CAN do it. Just not recommended.

Also, what size wheels/year? The 19's are staggered wheels (19x8.0 F, 19x8.5 R). The 18's from '03-'04 are identical all around except for an indentation for a bolt on the front rotor hat. The purpose of this was so you could NOT rotate tires. The bolt can be removed.

If it's really that important to you to rotate tires, and you have identical wheels (width and offset) on all four corners, then go for it. I personally wouldn't, but to each his own.

 

i have 17" on my '04....i figured it had something to do with the stability control...was just curious...

 

Those are 17x7.5 +30 front and 17x8.0 +33 rear. Your best bet is not to rotate them.

 

Without rotating my tires at all, I got about 20K out of my Toyo's, which is less than what I typically got out of my WRX, but not by all that much. Yes, it will save you some money over the life of the car, but it is a matter of preference and priorities. I love the look of my staggered fitment and 19's and as a result am willing to absorb the extra cost. However, you can call tirerack and they will recommend a universal (wheel size) setup for the Z. One of the magazines went with that setup and actually reported improved handling and no VDC issues when done correctly.

 

It improved handling, but they didn't test very many other setups. I suspect the improved handling had to do with the matching widths front/rear, and not necessarily the overall diameter. I think if they used the same widths with the correct overall diameters by using the correct aspect ratios, then they would have arrived at the same conclusion.