The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage sits in the late-1980s compact import class, a period when small front-wheel-drive cars balanced economy, light weight, and increasingly sporty trim distinctions. That matters here because tire fitment is not one-size-fits-all across the lineup. The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage uses two primary radial tire sizes, with 155/80R13 on the Mirage L and 185/60R14 on the Mirage Turbo. Available choices range from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall treatments, depending on size, and the tire series differ noticeably between the 13-inch and 14-inch applications. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before narrowing the decision to appearance, series, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage
Two tire sizes apply to the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage, and they are tied to different sub-models and different wheel diameters. The Mirage L uses a 13-inch setup with 155/80R13 tires, while the Mirage Turbo uses a 14-inch setup with 185/60R14 tires. Before comparing tire choices, the first step is confirming the exact sub-model and checking whether the car still has its original wheel diameter.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage, this size belongs to the 13-inch fitment used on the Mirage L. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with blackwall-free traditional styling focused on narrow and wide whitewall presentations across several tire series. This size makes the main decision less about construction and more about matching the car's wheel diameter, visual style, and rim-width compatibility.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch wheel diameter. On the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage, this size is tied to the Turbo sub-model and its 14-inch setup. The available product uses a blackwall sidewall treatment in Michelin's Pilot Exalto PE2 series, giving this fitment a more modern performance-oriented presentation than the 13-inch whitewall options. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the car is in fact a Mirage Turbo and still carries the correct 14-inch wheels.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage because tire fitment changes with the trim. The Mirage L and Mirage Turbo do not share the same wheel diameter, so choosing a tire starts with confirming which version of the car is in front of you.
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1988 Mitsubishi Mirage L
The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage L uses the 155/80R13 radial size on a 13-inch wheel setup. Tire selection here centers on choosing among available whitewall styles and series while confirming the car still wears the correct 13-inch wheels.
The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo uses the 185/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel setup. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation essential before purchase, especially if the car has been modified or had its wheels changed over time.
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 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage tires vary meaningfully by size and sub-model. The 155/80R13 fitment offers Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel choices in narrow or wide whitewall series, while the 185/60R14 Turbo fitment is represented by a Michelin blackwall radial.
Owners of a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage usually need to sort out sub-model-specific tire size, wheel diameter, sidewall style, and product choice before anything else. These FAQs focus on fitment, radial selection, restoration-minded appearance, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage uses two different tire sizes depending on sub-model. The Mirage L uses 155/80R13 radial tires, while the Mirage Turbo uses 185/60R14 radial tires. Those are separate primary fitments, not interchangeable labels for the same wheel setup.
The practical first step is identifying whether the car is an L or a Turbo and then confirming the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle. Older compact cars are often changed over to different wheels, so matching the tire size to the sub-model and the wheel already on the car is more important than choosing by appearance alone.
What size rim does a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage use?
A 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The Mirage L pairs with a 13-inch wheel and 155/80R13 tires, while the Mirage Turbo pairs with a 14-inch wheel and 185/60R14 tires. Both fitments use radial construction.
Rim diameter should be verified before ordering because the two Mirage fitments do not share the same wheel size. Checking the sidewall of the current tire is a useful start, but the wheel itself should also be measured or confirmed, especially if the car has had replacement wheels installed at some point in its life.
Do all 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage L uses 155/80R13, while the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo uses 185/60R14. The difference is more than just width or profile; it also changes the wheel diameter from 13 inches to 14 inches.
That means sub-model identification matters before comparing brands, sidewall treatments, or tire series. A Mirage L owner looking at whitewall 13-inch tires is shopping a completely different fitment from a Mirage Turbo owner choosing a 14-inch blackwall radial, so confirming the exact car and wheel setup should come first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Start with the correct sub-model and size: 155/80R13 for the Mirage L or 185/60R14 for the Mirage Turbo. After that, compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility. Both primary fitments are radial, so the main decision is not bias-ply versus radial but choosing the right style and specification within the correct size.
An L model owner may focus on whitewall presentation and rim-width range, while a Turbo owner may be looking for the proper 14-inch performance-style fitment. Load capacity and product weight can also help separate options, but the correct wheel diameter and exact tire size should always be settled before comparing finer details.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage tires?
Sidewall style depends on which 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage fitment you need. In 155/80R13, available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall. In 185/60R14 for the Mirage Turbo, the available product uses a blackwall sidewall style.
That makes appearance part of the buying decision, especially on the Mirage L, where the whitewall width can shift the car's visual character noticeably. Sidewall style should be chosen only after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter, since a preferred look does not override the need to match the proper Mirage sub-model fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Brand availability changes by tire size on the 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage. The 155/80R13 fitment is available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. The 185/60R14 fitment used on the Mirage Turbo is available from Michelin.
Brand comparison is most useful after the correct sub-model and wheel size are confirmed. Mirage L owners have several appearance-oriented choices in the 13-inch size, while Mirage Turbo owners are working within a narrower 14-inch fitment selection, so the right buying approach depends on whether the goal is visual style, series preference, or straightforward size matching.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
A period-style choice starts with the correct sub-model fitment. The Mirage L uses 155/80R13 and offers several traditional whitewall options, while the Mirage Turbo uses 185/60R14 in a blackwall radial. That makes the L more appearance-driven in the current selection and the Turbo more focused on its proper sporty size and wheel setup.
Choosing for restoration or nostalgic presentation means balancing the right dimensions with the look you want the car to carry. Whitewall width, blackwall presentation, and tire series can all influence that result, but exact originality should be checked against model-specific historical references if the goal goes beyond a broadly late-1980s period-style appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
On a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage, construction is less of an appearance dividing line because both primary fitments are radial. The more visible difference comes from sidewall styling and the size tied to each sub-model, with whitewall 155/80R13 choices for the Mirage L and a blackwall 185/60R14 presentation for the Mirage Turbo.
A restored car's stance and overall impression can change noticeably if the wrong wheel diameter or sidewall treatment is chosen, even when the tire is still a radial. Keeping the proper 13-inch or 14-inch fitment in place is the foundation, then the sidewall style can be selected to support either a cleaner stock-like look or a more personalized vintage presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage?
Yes. A 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage may no longer be running its original wheel diameter or suspension setup, and that can affect which tire size belongs on the car today. The factory-style fitments are 155/80R13 for the Mirage L and 185/60R14 for the Mirage Turbo, but wheel swaps can change that starting point.
The safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel diameter and width on the car before selecting a tire. Suspension changes, lowering, and aftermarket wheels can also alter clearance at the fenders and steering components, so fitment should be checked at full lock and through normal suspension travel rather than assuming the sub-model alone tells the whole story.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tires match the correct Mirage sub-model size, and make sure the valve stems and mounting condition are sound. Tire pressure should be checked after installation, and the car should be looked over for obvious alignment or suspension problems that could affect wear.
Collector and lightly used cars also deserve a close look at brakes, wheel bearings, and any signs of rubbing once the tires are mounted. A short initial drive followed by a recheck of pressure and visible clearance can catch issues early, especially on cars that have sat for long periods or have had older replacement wheels fitted.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Mitsubishi Mirage should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long periods of sun and heat. Even on a low-mileage car, condition and age matter as much as tread depth.
Storage habits make a real difference on an older Mirage that is driven occasionally rather than daily. Keeping the car in a cool, dry space, moving it periodically to avoid prolonged flat spotting, and checking the tires before each outing helps preserve both safety and appearance, whether the car is running 13-inch whitewalls or 14-inch blackwalls.
