Ansibe

I have been running the stock 255/40-19 pirelli PZeros on the oe 19x9 wheels. A summer of track days later and I am utterly convinced that they are great tires with exceptional grip. I run at about 8-9/10, always leaving a bit on the table because, hey, it's not a race! I got 8000 km (5000 miles) out of them. And no, I haven't been doing endless burnouts.

I recently picked up some 19x9.5 wheels with 255/40s up front and 285/35s out back (Goodyear F1s). With a solid rear axle, I don't think the additional unsprung weight matters in the slightest. I'm surprised by how much more direct the steering is, and the lack of grip. I think the steering change is due to the wider wheel, and the lack of grip is due to the tire. I'm assessing this as a step back, but it's too late to return the wheels and tires. Damn. At least they look cool!

Shelty, with the greatest respect, how serious are you? I think the difference between 18s and 19s, 255s and 275s, max performance and R comp tires is very hard to distinguish for most of us. We're not all Sam Strano or Norm P. Pick a wheel/tire combo that makes you smile every time you see your car - mine do. I suggest 18 or 19x9.5 with a 255/45 or 255/40 max performance tire (hankook v12 is a good one). You'll have good grip and feedback, and if you're lucky you'll get 25,000 miles out of them as Norm does. If you're not so lucky you'll get 5000 miles likes I do.

UPRSharad

Everything is relative. Are you going to do any open track racing with the car? HPDEs? If not, I just don't think the difference in handling between 18" & 19" is that big.

For roadracing I like 18s, and the tire selection is pretty wide open.

The difference between 18s & 19s may be relatively negligible, but the difference between factory & aftermarket suspension is day and night. Have you already upgraded your suspension?

[for the sake of discussion, I run 18x9.5" GT500s with 275/40-18 NT-05s and UPR Products suspension]

Shelty

this is for a street car, and no the car is esentially stock. save for the soon to have catback i have ordered