Topic: Which tires for 91 Olds Cutlass Cruiser Wagon?

[morkys]

I have acquired a 91 Cutlass Cruiser Wagon and its in fairly good shape. I was thinking of keeping it simple and going with the stock 185/75R 14. I was going to grab a set of Goodyear Allegra from Canadian Tire but I noticed someone said they go out of balance? Shifting Belts?

Does anyone have any feedback? For my previous car, a PGT, I bought Toyo tires. Does anyone have any feedback about the Toyo Spectrum or Toyo 800? What other tire could I consider? I've thought of going slightly wider/lower profile with 195/70 R14 but thats a slightly shorter height tire. Also thought of 195/65 R15 but would need to find rims.

Regardless, I'm looking for feedback on which tires to look for. I want good snow and wet weather traction (for an all season) and good traction and fuel economy etc. I want it all...lol..but seriously, I could use some feedback.

[morkys]

Was also considering the Michelin Harmony/Destiny but Can Tire doesn't seem to have my size of 185/75 R14.

[morty]

Morkys...hmm I have been called Mork a few times myself.

Shifting belts is not something I think is true. Tires can seperate, but belts do not shift. The belts are encased in rubber and there is no way for them to move. This is a symptom that is commonly made up by people that do not undersatnd the inner structure of a tire.  

You wont find an all-season tire that is good in the snow. Some will suggest the Nokian WR, however, it doesnt come in your sizing. The tires you have mentioned are very good 3 season tires. You can run either the 195/70/14 or 185/75/14 both are almost exactly the same overall diameter. You will probably find more options in the 195 and it offers a little larger contact patch.




TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

[morkys]

Thanx for the feedback Mort. My login is a hold over from the Napster days. Basically the first time I had to come up with a user login for myself. When I was thinking of a simple fun name, I tried mork, then morky, then finally found morkys. I was determined to avoid a user name with numerals. Yep. Thrilling story. I kept and use it cause its kinda fun.

My steel rims are 5.5" wide. I suspect that 195/70 14 is ok but was meant for 6" wide rims.

I'm going with all season tires. I've been thinking. I'd like a lower profile and slightly wider contact patch than the 185/75 14. The most I'd "up-size" to would be a 205/55 16, but I think I'd rather go for a 195/55 15. I think thats a good compromise between lower profile/larger contact for better handling, but maintaining the comfortable ride that the wagon was designed with (205/55 16 would be getting hard). Other options are 205/60 15 and 195/70 14. I am figuring out if I can find good inexpensive 15" rims for my car first. I don't want to spend too much. Looking for other 15" GM rims that would fit first. Probably a 15" x 6" wide 115 x 5 (bolt pattern) with 35 to 400mm offset. Could go 7" wide but there's no need.

Anybody have feedback on tire brands/models?

Does anyone know which 15" rims would work well on my 91 Cutlass Cruiser?

thanx

(Message edited by morkys on November 27, 2004)

[morty]

I just had to make a comment about the username!

If you are going to go 15" definitely go with the 205/60/15 closer match to your stock overall diameter. The 195/55/15 will be quite a bit shorter. 205/55/16 is the correct size if you +2.

If you like OE pretty much anything GM in the correct 5x115 pattern should work. However, always remember to do a trial fit.




TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

[mrthompson]

It's a 91 Cutlass Cruiser Wagon...why bother 'up sizing'?  

[morkys]

Opps! I meant 195/65 15! I could go 205/60 15, darn it, I just sold my PGT with good rubber identical to that on nice PGT 15" alloys which I don't think would have fit my car. Trouble is, that is a little wider than what I think I need. At least for winter anyways, and I wasn't planning on running snows on the 14".

Using a tire size calculator I get:

185/75 14 = 24.92" diameter (stock)
195/65 15 = 24.98" diameter ( 0.25% bigger) - my prefered choice.
205/60 15 = 24.68" diameter ( 0.97% smaller)
205/55 16 = 24.87" diameter ( 0.21% smaller)

I guess they're all the same, so close they are practically identical. The 195/65 15 is prefered because although its a larger rim, wider and lower profile, its still similar to stock diameter and not TOO low profile for a "wagon". Ie not too harsh a ride. Another option is to stay with 14" and go 195/70 14 but thats hardly worth it to get a little wider and not really lower profile in a real sense. (24.74" for 0.73% smaller).

They say to stay within 3% difference, so they're all fine.

I think the 195/65 15 is a good compromise and I would use a 15" x 6" rim. Lower profile and a little wider without taking away too much ride comfort and frankly 16" rims and tires are that much more expensive. I will seriously consider the 205/60 15 though Would a 15" x 6" rim be ok with those?

I could use some KYB GR-2 shocks and struts, and maybe some sway bar upgrades front and rear. I'll look into it. My car is originally from BC and is in very good shape. Just had it sprayed at Krown for the evil winter salt season, its first! I don't think lowering springs exist for this 91 Cutlass Cruiser, but I'll keep my eyes open. A 1" to 1 1/2" drop (probably no more than 1 1/4") is all thats needed to help handling.

thanx for the feedback

(Message edited by morkys on November 29, 2004)

[morkys]

Is there a decent looking steel GM 15" x 6" rim with a 115 x 5 bolt pattern? I almost think I should forget about alloys and use 15" steel for now  

Are there prefered 15" steel rims out there? Maybe lighter than others? Wishful thinking?

(Message edited by morkys on December 01, 2004)