You could stay with 14" or 15". I don't think a 16" wheels was any sort of option for a non-SVT Contour.
Let me offer a rationale for the smaller diameter wheels. You can accelerate them easier than the typically heavier 16" combination.
So effectively, with the widest lowest profile tire you can fit on you wheels, you should get an effectively lower gear ratio, which means you car will be a bit quicker off the line, and should accelerate a bit quicker.
And if this combination is also lighter, that will improve your handling as well.
The thing you have to be concerned with is does such a combination have enough load rating to safely support your vehicle.
Of course I'm telling you all of this with 17's on my SVT. But then I bought a 17" wheel that is about 5 pounds lighter than the factory 16" wheel that came with my car.
But if you are looking to stay in a stock class, I'd look into the lowest, widest tires you can safely run, perhaps on a 15" wheel as the best compromise. I think, but can't verify, that the 15" wheel was an option for the GL. But as others mentioned, I don't know if it was a standalone option or part of a package.
Oh, when I say the widest, I don't mean stretching the tires to get them on, a P205 is probably the best choice for the factory wheel, and you might get a P215 on there, but with a low profile, it may not work. (Say something radical like a 215-45/15 if such a tire exists.)
If I were spending your money, I'd probably buy Falken Azenis Sports in a 205-50/15, unless you were buying DOT tires for AutoX only.
Best wishes
TB
Last edited by BOFH; 04/21/03 02:23 AM.
