The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage sits squarely in the era when small imported cars were valued for efficiency, light weight, and practical everyday usability, but trim level still had a noticeable effect on wheel and tire setup. On this Mirage, tire selection starts with identifying the exact sub-model, because Base, L, and Turbo versions use different radial sizes and even different rim diameters. That creates a very different buying decision than a single-size fitment page. Some choices lean toward a clean stock-style metric radial look, while others introduce whitewall styling or a sportier blackwall presentation. Getting the size and wheel diameter right first is the key step before comparing appearance and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The Base uses a 13-inch radial, the L uses a different 13-inch radial, and the Turbo moves to a 14-inch radial setup. Before choosing a tire, confirm both the trim and the actual wheel diameter on the car, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
In 145/80R13, the 145 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. This is a modern metric radial size suited to the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Base and keeps the car in a narrow, small-diameter tire format typical of economy cars from the period. Its relatively modest width makes wheel-size confirmation especially important, since a wider replacement can change the look and clearance picture quickly. Choose this size when the car retains the wheel setup intended for the Base configuration.
The 155/80R13 size uses the same metric radial format, with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, an 80-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim. On the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage, this size belongs to the L sub-model and opens up more visible product choice than the other fitments, including Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel options. Available sidewall treatments include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. This is the size to evaluate when appearance matters as much as basic fitment.
A 185/60R14 tire is wider and lower in profile than the 13-inch Mirage sizes, with 185 millimeters of nominal width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim. This size is used on the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo and reflects a distinctly different wheel-and-tire package from the Base and L models. The available product in this fitment is a Michelin blackwall performance-oriented series, which gives the tire choice a more focused character. This size should be considered only after confirming the car still carries the correct 14-inch wheel setup.
Fitment varies across the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage lineup, so the right tire starts with the exact sub-model rather than the model name alone. That matters here because the three covered versions do not share one universal size, and the Turbo also uses a different rim diameter.
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1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Base
The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Base uses a 145/80R13 radial tire on a 13-inch wheel. Tire selection for this version is mainly about staying with the proper narrow metric format and confirming that the car has not been switched to a different wheel package.
The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage L uses a 155/80R13 radial tire on a 13-inch wheel. This version offers the broadest visible choice in sidewall styling, making it a useful fitment for owners balancing stock-style sizing with a more restoration-minded whitewall appearance.
The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo uses a 185/60R14 radial tire on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important before tire selection, since the Turbo setup is distinct from the smaller 13-inch Mirage fitments.
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 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage tire choices center on 155/80R13 and 185/60R14, with brands including Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Michelin. The product grid is most useful for comparing whitewall versus blackwall presentation, tire series, and rim-width specifications within the correct fitment.
Common 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage tire questions usually come down to identifying the right sub-model, confirming 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, and choosing between stock-size radial options with different sidewall styles and product character.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage does not use one universal tire size across every version. The Base uses 145/80R13, the L uses 155/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. All three are radial tire sizes, but they are tied to specific sub-models rather than being interchangeable across the entire Mirage lineup.
That means the first step is confirming the exact trim and the wheel diameter currently on the car. A Mirage that has had wheels changed over time may no longer match its original sub-model setup, so checking the wheel, the sidewall size on the existing tire, and available clearance is just as important as knowing the model year.
What size rim does a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage use?
The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model. The Base and L fitments are 13-inch sizes, while the Turbo uses a 14-inch size. Rim diameter is built into the tire size itself, so the last number in 145/80R13, 155/80R13, and 185/60R14 points directly to the wheel diameter.
Knowing the rim diameter helps narrow the tire search quickly, but it is not the only measurement that matters. Wheel width and any later wheel changes should also be checked, especially on older cars that may have aftermarket wheels or replacement steel wheels that differ from the original setup.
Do all 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The Base uses 145/80R13, the L uses 155/80R13, and the Turbo uses 185/60R14. The Turbo also stands apart by using a 14-inch wheel, while the other two fitments stay on 13-inch rims.
That variation makes sub-model identification more than a trim detail. It directly affects tire width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter, so selecting by model name alone can lead to the wrong fitment. Checking the sub-model badge, current wheel size, and existing tire sidewall markings helps keep the choice aligned with the car’s actual setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Start with the correct size for the exact Mirage sub-model, since Base, L, and Turbo versions do not share one tire fitment. After that, compare construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility. On this vehicle, all primary fitments are radial, so the main selection factors become size accuracy, intended look, and the kind of road use the car will actually see.
An L model offers the widest visible product variety, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, while the Turbo fitment is a blackwall-only performance-oriented option. Rim width can also vary by product, so it is worth matching the tire to the wheel already on the car instead of assuming every tire in the same nominal size suits every wheel.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage tires?
Sidewall style depends on the Mirage tire size you are shopping. In 155/80R13, available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, while the 185/60R14 product is a blackwall tire. That gives the L model the broadest appearance choice and makes it easier to lean either toward a cleaner stock-era look or a more decorative presentation.
Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct size is confirmed, not before. A whitewall may suit a restoration-minded small car build, but wheel diameter and fitment still come first. On a Turbo, the practical choice stays centered on the 14-inch blackwall fitment, so appearance flexibility is more limited than it is on the 13-inch L setup.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Available brands for 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage fitments include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Michelin. Most of that variety appears in 155/80R13, where several brands cover different whitewall presentations and tire series. The 185/60R14 fitment is represented by Michelin, giving the Turbo a more focused product selection than the other covered size.
Brand choice should be filtered through the correct size and wheel setup first. Once that is settled, compare the tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specification instead of choosing by brand name alone. That approach is especially useful on the Mirage because the available tires serve different visual purposes depending on whether the car is an L or a Turbo.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A period-style 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage starts with the correct sub-model size, not a universal replacement. The Base should stay with 145/80R13, the L with 155/80R13, and the Turbo with 185/60R14. From there, the L offers the strongest appearance-focused options because whitewall versions are available in that size, while the Turbo remains a blackwall presentation.
For a restoration-minded car, the goal is usually to preserve the right proportions and wheel diameter before considering cosmetic details. Whitewall width, brand, and series can influence the finished look, but exact originality should be checked against period photos, marque references, or vehicle-specific documentation if the project calls for a highly precise presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
On the 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage, the primary fitments are all radial, so construction itself does not create a bias-ply-versus-radial appearance decision. The visual difference comes more from the tire size, sidewall treatment, and the overall stance created by the correct wheel diameter. A whitewall 155/80R13 gives a different character than a blackwall 185/60R14, even though both are radials.
That makes visual planning more straightforward than on many older collector cars. A restoration-oriented Mirage owner should focus on preserving the sub-model’s intended tire proportions and then choose the sidewall style that best matches the project’s finish. Keeping the proper size relationship is usually more important to the final look than chasing cosmetic details first.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage even when the tire size itself looks close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, or body alterations can change clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components. That matters even more here because the Mirage already spans both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments depending on sub-model.
A car that has been altered should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance before a new tire is chosen. The safest approach is to compare the current wheel-and-tire setup on the vehicle rather than relying only on the original trim designation, especially if the Mirage has passed through several owners.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage back on the road with new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires match the correct sub-model size. It is also wise to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance with the steering turned and the suspension loaded.
The vehicle itself deserves attention too. Look over brakes, wheel bearings, shocks or struts, and alignment-related wear, since a fresh set of tires will not correct mechanical issues underneath the car. After installation, keep an eye on air pressure and recheck for rubbing or unusual wear during the first drives.
How often should tires on a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. A quick visual check before driving and a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals helps catch cracking, cuts, bulges, air loss, and uneven wear before they become larger problems. Older collector-era cars often sit longer than daily drivers, which makes condition checks even more important.
Storage and age matter as much as mileage on a low-use Mirage. Tires that spend long periods parked should still be checked for sidewall condition, flat spotting, and pressure loss, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. Regular inspections help preserve both safety and the life of the tires.
