The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion sits squarely in the turbocharged sport-coupe era, a time when Japanese performance cars were becoming more sophisticated in both chassis tuning and tire fitment. That matters here, because Starion tire selection is not one-size-fits-all. The ESi-R uses a staggered 16-inch radial setup with 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear sizes, while the LE uses a 215/60R15 radial tire. Available choices range from blackwall performance-oriented radials to wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles in the LE size. The right decision starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then choosing the look and tire character that suit the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion
Three tire sizes apply to the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion, and the correct choice depends on both sub-model and wheel diameter. The ESi-R uses a staggered 16-inch radial setup with different front and rear sizes, while the LE uses a 15-inch radial tire. Before selecting a tire, confirm whether the car is an ESi-R or LE and verify that the wheels on the car still match the original diameter and front-to-rear arrangement.
Fit(s): ESi-R Front and ESi-R w/aluminum wheels Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
A 205/55R16 tire uses a 205-millimeter section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion, this size serves the front position on ESi-R configurations, making it part of a staggered setup rather than a universal fitment for every Starion. Available choices in this size include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with both blackwall and wide whitewall offerings across several tire series. This size is the right place to focus when preserving the ESi-R front-to-rear balance and confirming that the car still retains its 16-inch wheel package.
Fit(s): ESi-R Rear and ESi-R w/aluminum wheels Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 16 in
A 225/50R16 tire is a metric radial with a 225-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion, this size is used at the rear on ESi-R models, pairing with the narrower 205/55R16 front tire in a staggered arrangement. BFGoodrich and Michelin options are available in blackwall form, with tire series that reflect a more performance-focused presentation. This is the size to evaluate when the goal is keeping the ESi-R's rear fitment in the proper proportion while also checking wheel width and rear clearance on the car as it sits today.
A 215/60R15 tire combines a 215-millimeter section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch wheel diameter. On the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion, this size belongs to LE models, including LE versions with aluminum wheels, and it supports the broadest range of appearance and brand choices on this page. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter sidewalls from brands such as American Classic, BFGoodrich, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. This size makes sense for LE owners who want to balance correct basic fitment with a more tailored period-style or road-use presentation.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion because tire size changes with both trim and axle position. ESi-R models use a staggered 16-inch setup, while LE models use a 15-inch tire, so identifying the exact version of the car is the first step before comparing products.
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1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R Front
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R Front uses a 16-inch radial front tire as part of the model's staggered arrangement. Tire selection here should stay focused on the proper front size and on matching the wheel diameter already on the car.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R Rear uses a different 16-inch radial size than the front, which is central to this model's fitment. Rear tire choice should account for the staggered setup rather than treating the car like a same-size four-corner application.
1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R w/aluminum wheels Front
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R w/aluminum wheels Front follows the same 16-inch radial front fitment as the standard ESi-R front position. The key decision is choosing among the available tire series and sidewall styles that suit the car's use and presentation.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion ESi-R w/aluminum wheels Rear carries the corresponding 16-inch radial rear size in the staggered package. Selecting the right rear tire means confirming the wheel remains the correct diameter and preserving the intended front-to-rear fitment relationship.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion LE uses a single 15-inch radial tire size, making fitment more straightforward than the ESi-R setup. The decision here shifts from front-versus-rear sizing to brand, sidewall treatment, and the kind of visual character you want the car to carry.
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion LE w/aluminum wheels uses the same 15-inch radial tire size as the LE. That consistency makes tire shopping easier, while still leaving room to compare blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter choices.
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 1986 Mitsubishi Starion Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Mitsubishi Starion tires span 15-inch and 16-inch radial fitments from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several distinct tire series.
Starion owners usually need to sort out the exact tire size, wheel diameter, and sub-model first, then decide how they want the car to look and drive. These FAQs focus on fitment, staggered versus single-size setups, brand and sidewall choices, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
The 1986 Mitsubishi Starion uses three fitments, depending on sub-model and axle position. ESi-R models use 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear, while LE models use 215/60R15. All of these are radial tire sizes, but they do not apply interchangeably across every Starion configuration.
The first step is confirming whether the car is an ESi-R or an LE, then checking whether it still wears the original wheel diameter. An ESi-R also needs front and rear positions verified separately because it uses a staggered setup, while an LE owner can concentrate on selecting the right tire style within the single 15-inch fitment.
What size rim does a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion use?
A 1986 Mitsubishi Starion uses either a 16-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on version. ESi-R models use 16-inch rims with 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear tires, while LE models use a 15-inch rim with 215/60R15 tires. Rim diameter is one of the most important checkpoints on this car.
Many older performance cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so the tire size should match the actual wheel on the car rather than an assumption about trim alone. Looking at the tire sidewall and measuring the wheel diameter helps prevent ordering a correct Starion tire size for the wrong wheel package.
Do all 1986 Mitsubishi Starion sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 1986 Mitsubishi Starion sub-models do not all use the same tire size. LE models use 215/60R15, while ESi-R models use two different 16-inch sizes: 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. That makes the Starion a trim-sensitive fitment and, in ESi-R form, a position-sensitive one as well.
That difference matters because the correct tire decision begins with the exact version of the car and, for ESi-R models, the exact end of the car. Mixing the fitments casually can change the intended setup, so it is worth checking the existing wheels, the current tire labels, and any past modifications before replacing tires.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
Start with the exact fitment: ESi-R front, ESi-R rear, or LE. The Starion uses radial tires only, but the correct size still depends on trim and, on ESi-R cars, axle position. Once size is settled, compare available brands, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility within that fitment.
A buyer preserving a more period-style presentation may focus on appearance details such as wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter in the LE size, while another owner may prefer a plain blackwall performance look. Matching the tire to the wheel, the car's use, and the visual style of the build usually leads to a better choice than shopping by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Mitsubishi Starion tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter, depending on tire size. The 16-inch ESi-R fitments are blackwall-focused, while the 15-inch LE size opens up the widest appearance range, including more restoration-oriented or custom-style sidewall treatments.
That variety makes the LE size especially useful for owners who want the tire to influence the car's overall presentation as much as its fitment. The best choice depends on whether the Starion is being kept close to an understated sport-coupe look or given a more distinctive period-style visual treatment, all while staying within the proper 15-inch size.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
Brands available for 1986 Mitsubishi Starion tire sizes include BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, Dunlop, Avon, and Vredestein. Brand availability varies by size, with BFGoodrich and Michelin covering the 16-inch ESi-R fitments and a broader group of brands appearing in the 215/60R15 LE size.
That matters because brand choice on this page is tied closely to the kind of tire being considered. Some selections lean toward blackwall sport-oriented presentation, while others emphasize classic styling details. Choosing among them starts with the correct fitment, then moves to sidewall style, tire series, and the overall character you want the Starion to have.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
A period-style choice starts with using the proper Starion fitment for the exact sub-model. The ESi-R calls for its staggered 16-inch radial sizes, while the LE uses 215/60R15. Within those correct sizes, sidewall style and tire series become the main tools for shaping a more restrained sport-coupe look or a more distinctive vintage-inspired presentation.
The LE size offers the broadest appearance range, including blackwall, redline, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options, so it gives more visual flexibility. When exact originality matters, it helps to compare the car against marque references, old photos, or owner documentation rather than assuming any currently available sidewall treatment is factory-correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
Tire construction is simple on the 1986 Mitsubishi Starion because the fitments here are all radial, so the visual differences come less from bias-ply versus radial and more from size, profile, and sidewall treatment. A blackwall 16-inch ESi-R tire presents differently from a 15-inch LE tire with raised white letters, redline, or wide whitewall styling.
That means restoration appearance is shaped mainly by staying with the correct size and wheel diameter for the sub-model, then choosing a sidewall that suits the car's intended era feel. Even a properly sized tire can alter the look of the car if the sidewall treatment does not match the owner's restoration goals or visual reference point.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion. Wheel changes, altered offsets, suspension work, lowering, and past body modifications can all change how a 205/55R16, 225/50R16, or 215/60R15 tire sits on the car. That is especially important on ESi-R models because the front and rear sizes are different to begin with.
A Starion that no longer has its original wheels should be checked carefully before replacement tires are selected. Confirm the actual wheel diameter and width, look for steering and fender clearance, and pay attention to the rear setup on staggered cars so the new tire choice supports the way the car is currently configured.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the correct trim and position, and make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly. It also helps to check alignment, suspension wear, and the general condition of valves and wheel hardware before putting miles on the car.
A short, careful initial drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or other setup issues that are easier to correct early. Older performance cars often carry a mix of original and replacement parts, so watching for clearance changes at full steering lock and under normal suspension movement is just as important as choosing the right size in the first place.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Mitsubishi Starion be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion should be checked regularly for pressure, air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, and bulges. Even a low-mileage car needs inspection because age and storage conditions can affect tires long before tread is worn out. That applies whether the car uses the ESi-R staggered setup or the LE single-size fitment.
Storage habits matter just as much as road miles. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can help avoid long stationary loading in one spot. A Starion that is driven infrequently benefits from inspection before each outing rather than relying on mileage alone.
