The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage came from an era when small imported hatchbacks and sedans earned a following for light weight, efficiency, and tidy road manners. For owners preserving one today, tire choice has a big effect on both stance and how the car feels on the road. The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage uses radial tires, but fitment varies by sub-model, with 13-inch and 14-inch rim applications both present. That means the decision is less about vintage bias-ply versus radial construction and more about matching the exact size, wheel diameter, and available product style to the specific version of the car. A restoration-minded Base or L owner may be shopping differently than a Mirage Turbo owner.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage uses three primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 13-inch rims, while the Turbo uses a 14-inch setup, so identifying the specific Mirage version and confirming the wheel size should come before comparing tires. Once that is settled, the next step is choosing among the available radial designs that suit the car's intended appearance and use.
A 155R13 size uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size code and is commonly treated as an 80-series style metric radial. On the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage, this size suits buyers who want the Base model's original fitment format and a traditional small-car radial presentation, with Michelin and Dunlop options available in blackwall designs. It is a useful choice when keeping the correct wheel diameter and overall fitment character for that specific sub-model.
A 145/80R13 size spells out the tire's nominal width in millimeters, its 80-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and 13-inch rim diameter. That makes it an easy size for modern buyers to read, while still matching the compact proportions used on certain 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models. This size is tied to the L and LS, so it should be selected with the sub-model confirmed rather than treated as a universal Mirage fitment. For owners comparing 13-inch applications, the key question is whether the car was set up for the narrower 145/80R13 or the 155R13 arrangement.
A 185/60R14 tire uses a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Compared with the 13-inch Mirage fitments, this is a more distinctly sport-oriented size format and belongs with the Mirage Turbo application. Michelin offers this size in a blackwall radial with a defined rim-width range, which gives buyers a clear modern performance-style option within the correct fitment family. The practical reason to focus on this size is simple: it starts with confirming that the car has the Turbo's 14-inch wheel setup rather than one of the 13-inch arrangements.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage because tire size changes across the lineup. Base, L, LS, and Turbo versions do not all share the same setup, so confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter is the first step before comparing replacement tires.
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1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Base
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Base uses the 155R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. That keeps tire selection centered on matching the Base model's compact Euro-metric fitment and choosing between the available blackwall radial options in that size.
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage L uses the 145/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. Tire choice for the L starts with staying in that exact size format rather than assuming the Base or Turbo fitment crosses over.
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage LS also uses the 145/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel. For an LS owner, the main task is confirming that the car still carries its correct wheel setup before moving on to product and tread-style preferences.
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo uses the 185/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important, since the Turbo's fitment differs clearly from the 13-inch sizes used on the other Mirage sub-models.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage Tires for Sale
Available 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage tire choices focus on radial blackwall designs in the applicable sizes, with Michelin and Dunlop options for 155R13 and a Michelin performance-oriented series for 185/60R14. The product grid is most useful for comparing brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and related specifications within the correct sub-model fitment.
Owners researching 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage tires usually need to sort out sub-model size differences, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, and how to choose the right radial tire for the way the car is being preserved or driven.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage can use 155R13, 145/80R13, or 185/60R14, depending on the sub-model. The Base uses 155R13, the L and LS use 145/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. All of these are radial tire fitments, but they are not interchangeable simply because they belong to the same model year.
The practical step is identifying the exact Mirage sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. Base, L, and LS owners are all dealing with 13-inch wheels, while the Turbo moves to a 14-inch setup. If the car has been modified over the years, check the actual wheel size and current clearance before selecting a replacement tire.
What size rim does a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage use?
The 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The 155R13 and 145/80R13 fitments both use 13-inch rims, while the 185/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch rim. That means rim diameter is one of the first things to verify before narrowing down tire options.
Wheel diameter should be checked on the car itself, especially if the Mirage has seen wheel swaps or trim changes over time. A 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch rim, and the reverse is also true. Once the rim diameter is confirmed, the next step is matching the correct width and size format for the specific sub-model.
Do all 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage does not use one shared tire size across all sub-models. The Base uses 155R13, the L and LS use 145/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. The Mirage lineup therefore includes both different section widths and different rim diameters within the same model year.
That variation matters because tire shopping starts with the exact version of the car, not just the year and model name. A buyer looking at an L or LS should not assume the Base fitment applies, and a Turbo owner needs to account for the 14-inch wheel. Confirming the sub-model avoids ordering around the wrong size family.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Start with the correct tire size for the specific 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-model and the wheel diameter actually on the car. After that, compare the construction, brand, tire series, sidewall style, and any rim-width specification that applies to the product you are considering. Even within a correct size, those details shape the final choice.
A Base owner shopping 155R13 may be focused on preserving the car's compact period feel, while a Turbo owner in 185/60R14 may be comparing a more performance-oriented radial design. It also helps to think about how the car is used now, since a show-preserved Mirage and a regularly driven one may call for different priorities.
What sidewall styles are available for 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage tires?
The available 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage products in these fitments use blackwall sidewalls. That applies to the Michelin and Dunlop choices offered in 155R13 and the Michelin option in 185/60R14. For a Mirage owner, the sidewall decision here is straightforward because the visible style stays clean and understated rather than branching into whitewall or raised-letter treatments.
That simplicity can be helpful on an eighties compact, where a blackwall tire usually keeps the appearance close to the car's original character without drawing attention away from the body and wheel design. The more meaningful comparison becomes brand, tire series, and wheel compatibility rather than sidewall decoration.
What brands offer tires for the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Michelin and Dunlop both offer tires for the 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage, depending on size. In 155R13, available options include Michelin and Dunlop blackwall radials. In 185/60R14, Michelin is represented with a performance-oriented radial series. Brand choice therefore depends partly on which Mirage sub-model and tire size you are working with.
The useful comparison is not brand name alone, but how each available tire fits the car's size, wheel, and intended use. A buyer should look at the exact tire series, the stated rim-width range where given, and any load or speed details included with the product. That keeps the selection tied to fitment instead of reputation alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A period-style 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage tire choice starts with the exact sub-model size rather than with a broad visual preference. The Base uses 155R13, the L and LS use 145/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. Staying with the proper size family helps preserve the car's stance and proportion in a way that suits an eighties compact.
After the size is settled, look for a radial tire whose profile and overall presentation match the character you want the car to retain. Blackwall sidewalls fit naturally within the available choices. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, compare your tire decision against marque literature, photos, and vehicle-specific restoration references.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage restoration because this model year uses more than one tire size and more than one rim diameter. The difference between 13-inch and 14-inch applications changes the car's visual balance as well as its basic fitment. Using the wrong size can make a restoration look and feel out of step with the intended setup.
A restoration-minded owner should confirm the specific sub-model first, then check that the current wheels match the proper diameter before choosing tires. That is especially important on older compact cars that may have seen wheel swaps over time. Once those basics are right, the finer choices can focus on brand, tread character, and presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage, even when the tire size looks close to the original specification. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, or body alterations can all influence clearance and how a tire sits within the wheel opening. That is especially important on a compact car with small original tire dimensions.
A modified Mirage should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering points before a new tire is chosen. Turbo and non-Turbo fitments already differ from one another, so changes made over the years can complicate selection further. Measuring the current setup is more reliable than assuming the car still matches stock.
What should I inspect before driving a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires?
Before driving a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are mounted in the proper size, and confirm there is no rubbing at full steering lock or through suspension movement. It also makes sense to check valve stems, air pressure, and the general condition of the braking and steering hardware.
A collector-era small car can feel noticeably different once fresh tires replace aged ones, so the first drive should be a careful one. Listen for contact, watch for pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the initial run. If the Mirage has been stored for long periods, a broader inspection of suspension bushings and wheel bearings is worthwhile too.
How often should tires on a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage be inspected?
Tires on a 1985 Mitsubishi Mirage should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Look for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, unusual tread wear, and signs of gradual air loss. On an older compact car, those checks matter as much as tread depth because age and storage conditions can affect tire condition long before the tread is worn out.
A quick visual check before each drive is a good habit, with a more thorough inspection done periodically during the season. Pressure should be verified with a gauge rather than guessed by appearance. Cars that sit for extended periods also benefit from clean, dry storage away from strong sunlight and ozone sources, which can accelerate sidewall aging.
