Just trying to put together bits and pieces of comments made. The GT comes with 18" wheels and it appears a lot of people want either the Brembo 19" wheels or are ordering the 19" nickel lustre (including me). I'm only getting the 19" because I like the looks better than the 18" aluminum painted wheels. But since the 18"s give better performance (which may be minimal and I am not really interested in anyway) as well as probably a little better gas mileage, wouldn't it be better to get the stock 18"s and buy different wheels if so desired?
My problem is that I don't like to spend money after the fact and would not likely change if it isn't included in the initial cost of the car.
Also, I believe that the 18's are a 235 width whereas the 19"s are 245. Since these tires are not likely to last that long, and you can put 245's on an 8" diameter wheel, that is not much of an issue?
Any comments?

 

Your call. I wouldn't let performance weigh into the decision that much. The difference is minimal.

 

You seem to ask and answer your own questions...

 

I would go with the 19s, since you already ordered your car with um.

And you probably could put 245s on an 8" diameter wheel but good luck fitting the wheels over the brakes. The front rotors are 13" alone...

 

Thanks. Just wondering out loud. I guess I should have said acceleration rather than 'performance" for the 18's as performance is defined more as driving responsiveness and road feel.
Thanks again.

 

18s are affordable 19" replacements tires,275/45/19 rears and 245/45/19 fronts the tires get expensive FAST!

 

I got my new `11 with the 19s. I just liked the look of the 19s better on the Stang. I know it will eventually cost more to replace them, but that's fine.

 

It may be that with 18" acceleration is a tiny bit better, with the 19" maybe it will be a little better in a slalom. The 18" tires may ride slightly better. Overall I don't think the difference will be great. It's a styling choice more than anything.

I went with the 18" polished aluminum wheels because I thought they looked the nicest with the body color I chose (Kona Blue). But if were going with Red Candy or Performance White I would have chosen the 19" Nickel Luster wheels. One thing that can be said objectively is that replacement 18" tires will be less expensive than 19" tires.

 

Also, the 19's are 8.5" wide vs. the 8" wide for the 18's. The main reason why people normally chose an 18" wheel over a 19" wheel is tire selection. Porsche runs a 19" wheel on the 997 as they found that for the 911 a 19" wheel gave better peformance as the car was tuned for a 19" wheel. Although, people who track their car went with 18's as their is a much better tire selection especially when you start getting into R compounds. That is changing now as Toyo released the R888's in 19" sizes for the M3 and the 911.

As far as fitting a 245 tire on a 8" wide rim, it can be done but it won' be optimal. Think about it..a 245mm tire is almost 9.5" wide and you will be putting it on a rim that is 8" wide, to properly support the sidewall you really should have an 8.5" wide rim.

Dave

 

That's exactly why I went for the 19s on my `11 GT. They just looked the best on a Mustang in white. I saw a lot of different color/wheel combos and the 19" just looked the best.

 

You're talking about maybe 1/10th of a second difference, if that. You're driving skill and road conditions will be about 1000 times more important than the tire size.

Choose for styling.

 

I went with the 19's after much thought, as you're doing...

Mainly because I like the low profile look. Come replacement time, I'll be putting on the 255/40-19's like on the Brembos.

I just hope the 17's I have from an '05 GT will fit for winter. People are speculating that they won't...

 

My 19"s from my 2010 would NOT fit over the front brakes on a GT500

 

Its gona be close, your just gona have to hope until you try to get them on there.
If you have to, you could just get a new pair of winters for the front.