Okay - So I've yet to have the pleasure of riding in a 70's model Mopar with 17-inch tires and rims to know how it feels versus the good ole 15-inch tires and rims.

How is the "road feel" in the steering wheel? More due to the lower profile tires?

What percentage is the handling improvement superior over the 15-inchers?

Any reasons why you would go back to 15-inches from 17?

I'm looking for mental justification to purchase a set of 17-inch tires and rims when I have perfectly fine set of 15-inchers.

Thanks for the input!

road feel and ride are more a factor of tire than rim diameter. on my duster, im running 17's. 25 inch tall tire up front, 27 on rear. all season tires. they dont ride any harsher than the 15s, but the turn in is much crisper.

i actually did swap back to 15s for a minute, and decided i loved the look of the 17s so much i sold the tires....

if its a toy, and the expendature isnt hurting the family, get them. dont have to justify....

michael

Closest I can come is when I upgraded my 05 Neon's 15's to 17's.

However, I also changed brands of tire, added better struts and lowering springs so it's probably not relevant. That being said, the upgrade was less wiggly feeling, I could feel more of the road and it was noisier.

As the sidewall height decreases, there's less sidewall flex, so response is typically more immediate & predictable. Ride may be a bit more harsh on lumpy/rough surfaces, and I've found tar strips/patches more noticeable, though not bothersome. Some of this depends on the brand of tire; I've noticed differences in noise & ride even among 15" tires.

I have AR torque thrust II 17"x7" wheels on my '73 swinger. They ride a little harsher but only if you pay attention. I think Im running 225/45-17 tires

You can feel more of the road, the only downfall is though that you can also feel the irregularities of the road and if you come in contact with a pothole you may have some straightening to do. I pay attention to the road though so I am always dodging stuff. I wouldn't go back to 15's. I run 255/55/17 Eagle RS-A on my 69 Charger. Magnum 500s. Modern and still retro. It's a classy upgrade.

As the sidewall height decreases, there's less sidewall flex, so response is typically more immediate & predictable. Ride may be a bit more harsh on lumpy/rough surfaces,

I actually like the ride of 15's, although 17's have all the pluses mentioned so far, but with 15's you can boost TP to stiffen them up, 17's are already and allways stiff, if you lower pressure in them rims will suffer. But the biggest issue, 15's are getting rarer, and that is unlikely to change. I say enjoy 15's while you can. Although some may read "old school" into this reply, I have 15's, 17's and 18" in my collection.