[Ecky]

I'm doing some reading for replacement tires for our Fit Sport. We won't need them until next year probably, but I got a bit into reading about tire options.

Stock size: 195/55r15
Base model: 175/65r14

The base model's tires are 1.7% smaller. I doubt they corrected for the difference in the VSS/cluster, but I'm curious if anyone might know about that.

Anyhow, 195/55r15 seems to be a very uncommon tire size, used in cars like the Acura Integra Type-R and Del Sol VTEC trim, and (unsurprisingly) the options in that size are predominantly sporty/grippy/sticky tires. I've so far been unable to find anything branded as LRR in the size.

Some similar sizes that will fit her 15" rims:

185/60r15: +1.3%
185/55r15: -1.7%
175/60r15: -0.4%
165/65r15: 0%

In 14", which I'll probably get for snow tires:

195/60r14: -0.9%
185/65r14: +0.4%
175/70r14: +0.9%
175/65r14: -1.7%
165/70r14: -1.3%
165/65r14: -4.3% (threw that on there because I may be able to get these free)

What I've been able to find:

In 195/55r15 - Sport trim stock tire size
-Firestone Champion Fuel Fighters at ~$100 per tire

In 185/60r15 - This may be a viable option but if the Sport and Base trims have a correction factor for their slightly different tire sizes
-Bridgestone Ecopia EP422's, 640AB ~$100
-Firestone Champion Fuel Fighters, 600AB ~$100
-Michelin Defender, 820AB ~$90 - I've used these and like them well enough
-Michelin Defender T+H, 820AB ~$105
-Nokian Entyre, 700AA ~$50
-Nokian Entyre 2.0, 720AA, $72

185/55r15 - These are idential in circumference to the base model's tire size, ~1.7% smaller than Sport trim tires
-Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus, 640AA ~$113
-Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter, 600AA ~$95
-Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 380BB ~$100
-Goodyear Integrity, 460AB ~$91

175/60r15:
Dunlop Enasave 01, 340AA - $148

165/65r14:
No LRR tires

Wider sizes (205, 215) have no LRR tires either.

~

In the stock size, the Firestones don't look bad.

For non-stock sizes, what it comes down to is whether the Sport and Base trims have different VSS corrections. If they don't, the 185/55r15 has a couple of good choices and it's the same circumference as the base model's tires. This makes gearing 1.7% shorter, of course. If they do, I'd either opt for the 195/55 or 185/60, the latter giving 1.3% taller gearing. I'd probably opt for the Nokians due to very long tread life and low price.

This leaves out the fact that I have no experience with any of these tires except the Michelin Defenders, which I know from firsthand experience last forever and then some, and deliver decent economy.

Thoughts? Specific tire recommendations?