I am looking to regain the feel of previous gen fits...I think perhaps the overall weight of the Gen3 may not allow it, but tires are likely very important to this feel. Have any of you went with this tire size? And if you did, how did they feel compared to stock, and especially compared to the FIT sport stock 16s. I had the stock 16s and I despised them...I swapped down to the 185 60 15s and they were an improvement. SOmething tells me I should look toward a 175 65 15...they should have a more classic FIT feel.

I also think smaller lighter tires with lighter alloy wheels will improve the feel...another reason I'm thinking 175 65 15.

 

I drive an '09 so I can't say for sure, but if your car is heavier than mine you'll want tires wider than 175, simply for safer braking. I'm not sure what feeling you're trying to recreate but I think the sizewall height and total wheel weight would have the most impact over-all. I like 195/60/15 on my rough, pothole covered roads but they are pretty squishy feeling in the turns. 195/50 would be rad.

 

The feeling is that lighter more nimble feeling of the Gen1...which then lost a little bit to the Gen2, and the Gen3, which I have...really doesn't have that feeling. If you don't notice it...that's great....but I do...and I think there are many things that are way better with regard to the Gen3...but that small car feel is gone. 195s would make it that much worse, I think. But...I see a set of 195 50s on rims locally...maybe I'll buy them just to test out the feel.

 

I think you are in the right path. I use 185/65R15 winter tires mainly to get tiny bit more ground clearance, but having more air between the rim and ground is a positive thing as well. I too have 185/55R16 tires from the factory and in summer use.

I'd probably prefer those 185/65R15 tires but with half inch narrower rims.

 

why would you prefer the narrower rim?

 

because they feel better...tighter, smaller...nimbler...less rolling resistance, less road noise...narrower is better, I would say.

 

They are lighter and the rim edges are better protected by the tire.

 

I just realized something today in the feel of the gen3...I have my steering wheel up too high...so I can read the speedometer. THat makes the car feel more like a minivan...or something. I lowered the steering wheel and the feel is better, but the upper numbers on the speedometer aren't easily visible.

 

Sounds like you need to swap in a Tesla steering wheel.

 

Pretty cool idea....actually!!

 

This thread screams "Mini Cooper R81's"

 

they look damn cool....are they really light?

 

But, I think Enkei RPF1 might be the best play....very light!

 

Enkei RFP1 is pretty light, but only available in 15x7 size, which is 1" wider than Fit standard rim, and defenitely too wide if you are going to narrower tire. Actually 7" rim requires at least 195 tire.

Volk CE28N in 15x5.5 ET 45, which is the lightest I know at 7.72 lbs (3.5 kg). 5.5" rim can be used with up to 205 tire. CE28N is also available in Fit standard size 6x15, but of course it's a bit heavier then.

 

and they are expen$ive! Dang....I have 2005 civic rims on there now...reasonable weight. I think the Acura EL rims are even lighter still...I might source a set of those and paint em black.

 

Yes, they are expensive. That's why I don't have those.