The 1989 Plymouth Sundance belongs to the front-wheel-drive compact era when practical American hatchbacks and coupes were balancing economy, everyday drivability, and a more modern tire-and-wheel approach than many earlier collector cars. That matters here, because the 1989 Plymouth Sundance uses radial tire fitments in three different sizes: 175/80R13, 185/70R14, and 195/60R15. The choice is not just about diameter, but also about the wheel already on the car and the kind of presentation you want, from blackwall sport-oriented options to narrow or wide whitewall styles. Getting the right Sundance tire starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel size currently on the vehicle.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Plymouth Sundance
Three primary tire sizes apply to the 1989 Plymouth Sundance, and they span three different rim diameters: 13, 14, and 15 inches. Some sub-models share more than one usable size, so the first step is confirming the exact Sundance configuration and the wheel diameter currently on the car before comparing sidewall style, tire series, or overall product character.
175/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1989 Plymouth Sundance, this size suits a smaller-diameter wheel setup and keeps the fitment in a fully radial format. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations from Maxxis and BFGoodrich in Classic Whitewall MA-1 and Silvertown Radial lines. This size makes the most sense when the car is already equipped with 13-inch wheels and a traditional sidewall appearance is part of the goal.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1989 Plymouth Sundance, it represents a middle fitment between the 13-inch and 15-inch wheel combinations while staying within modern radial construction. Product choices range from a wide whitewall BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial to blackwall options from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein across CR6ZZ, Sport Classic, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic series. This size is worth evaluating when the car wears 14-inch wheels and the decision comes down to traditional styling versus a more understated blackwall look.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size where 195 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 indicates a lower profile than the other Sundance fitments, and 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1989 Plymouth Sundance, this size belongs with a 15-inch wheel setup and brings the shortest sidewall of the three primary fitments. Available options include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles from BFGoodrich and Michelin in Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Primacy 3 series. This size deserves a closer look when wheel diameter, appearance, and the car’s current stance all factor into the final decision.
Sub-model fitment on the 1989 Plymouth Sundance varies by both configuration and wheel diameter. Checking whether the car is a Base or RS model helps narrow the correct tire size, but the wheel currently on the vehicle still needs to be confirmed before making a final tire choice.
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1989 Plymouth Sundance Base
The 1989 Plymouth Sundance Base uses the broadest fitment range, with radial tire options tied to 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch wheel setups. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before comparing whitewall, blackwall, redline, or raised white letter choices within the applicable size.
The 1989 Plymouth Sundance RS uses radial fitments on 14-inch or 15-inch wheels rather than the 13-inch size found on some Base models. Tire selection therefore starts with confirming which wheel diameter the RS currently carries, then choosing among the available sidewall styles and tire series in that size.
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 1989 Plymouth Sundance Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Plymouth Sundance tires include radial options from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Depending on size, the product mix includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across several distinct tire series.
Common 1989 Plymouth Sundance tire questions usually come down to size, wheel diameter, sub-model fitment, and how to choose between the available radial tires by sidewall style, brand, and intended appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Plymouth Sundance?
The 1989 Plymouth Sundance uses three primary radial tire sizes: 175/80R13, 185/70R14, and 195/60R15. Those sizes are tied to different wheel diameters, so there is not one universal Sundance fitment across every configuration. The Base model can use all three sizes, while the RS uses 185/70R14 or 195/60R15.
The practical first step is to confirm the wheel diameter currently on the car, especially on a used or modified Sundance. Once that is settled, the correct tire choice becomes much easier, and attention can shift to sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being kept closer to a stock visual presentation or given a sportier look.
What size rim does a 1989 Plymouth Sundance use?
A 1989 Plymouth Sundance can use 13-inch, 14-inch, or 15-inch rims, depending on the tire size on the car. The 175/80R13 size belongs on a 13-inch rim, 185/70R14 belongs on a 14-inch rim, and 195/60R15 belongs on a 15-inch rim. All of these are radial fitments.
Rim diameter should be verified directly from the wheel before ordering tires, since many surviving compact cars have had wheel changes over the years. It is also smart to compare wheel width with the tire’s approved range, especially if the Sundance has aftermarket wheels, because correct diameter alone does not settle every fitment question.
Do all 1989 Plymouth Sundance sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1989 Plymouth Sundance Base has the widest fitment range and can use 175/80R13, 185/70R14, or 195/60R15. The 1989 Plymouth Sundance RS uses 185/70R14 or 195/60R15. That means some sizes overlap between sub-models, but the full range is not shared across the entire Sundance lineup.
Sub-model identification helps narrow the choices, but wheel diameter still needs to be confirmed on the actual car. A Base model may no longer have its original wheel setup, and an RS may have been changed as well, so checking the wheel and the existing tire size together is the safest way to avoid ordering the wrong fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Plymouth Sundance tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the car’s wheel diameter: 175/80R13, 185/70R14, or 195/60R15. From there, the key factors are radial construction, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, and the character of the tire series available in that size. The Sundance has a broader visual range than many compact cars because some sizes offer whitewall or redline styling in addition to blackwall options.
A restoration-oriented Sundance may point toward a traditional sidewall treatment, while a sportier presentation may lead toward blackwall or raised white letter choices. It also helps to compare load figures and rim-width ranges where they are stated, especially if the car has different wheels than it originally wore or sees more regular road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Plymouth Sundance tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Plymouth Sundance include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles, depending on tire size. The 175/80R13 fitment is available in narrow and wide whitewall form, 185/70R14 includes blackwall and wide whitewall options, and 195/60R15 offers blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter treatments.
That variety means appearance can play a real role once the correct size is confirmed. A whitewall or redline can change the car’s visual tone substantially, while blackwall and raised white letter tires tend to give a more understated or performance-flavored look. The best choice depends on the wheel package already on the Sundance and the style the owner wants to preserve.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Plymouth Sundance?
Tires for the 1989 Plymouth Sundance are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on the tire size, with the widest spread of brands appearing in 185/70R14. BFGoodrich appears across multiple Sundance fitments and sidewall treatments, while Michelin also covers more than one size.
Brand choice should come after size and wheel diameter are settled. Once the fitment is correct, comparing each brand’s available tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility is more useful than focusing on the name alone. That approach keeps the decision grounded in how the tire suits the specific Sundance setup and the owner’s appearance goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Plymouth Sundance?
A period-style 1989 Plymouth Sundance usually starts with using the correct size for the wheel already on the car, then choosing a sidewall treatment that matches the look you want. Depending on size, available choices include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall radial tires. The car’s compact late-1980s character can be pushed in a more formal or more sporty direction through that choice alone.
The most convincing result comes from matching the tire’s visual style to the wheel design and overall condition of the car. For owners chasing exact originality, marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific documentation are still worth checking, since a tire sold in the correct size may still represent a style choice rather than a proven factory match.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Plymouth Sundance?
On the 1989 Plymouth Sundance, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial across all three sizes. That means the visual difference usually comes less from choosing between bias-ply and radial, and more from sidewall style, profile, and wheel diameter. A 175/80R13 whitewall presents very differently from a 195/60R15 redline or raised white letter tire.
Profile and sidewall treatment can change the car’s stance and overall impression even when the tire remains within a correct Sundance size range. Owners restoring the car for shows or preserving a late-1980s look should consider how much sidewall they want to see, how the wheel fills the opening, and whether a traditional or sport-oriented visual theme suits the vehicle better.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Plymouth Sundance?
Yes. A 1989 Plymouth Sundance may originally use one of three radial sizes, but wheel swaps, suspension changes, or body alterations can change what works on the car today. Even when the tire size matches one of the known Sundance fitments, aftermarket wheels can introduce width or offset differences that affect clearance and how the tire sits in the wheel opening.
That is why the existing wheel diameter and width should be checked before selecting a tire, especially on older compact cars that may have changed hands several times. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall condition of suspension components also deserve attention so the chosen tire suits the actual setup rather than just the original model designation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Plymouth Sundance on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Plymouth Sundance on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and any visible damage, and make sure the installed tires match the intended size. It is also wise to check alignment condition, brake operation, and the basic health of suspension and steering parts, since worn components can affect how a freshly mounted radial tire behaves.
Air pressure should be set correctly, and the tires should be looked over for any shipping or mounting-related issues before regular road use. A short, careful initial drive helps confirm there is no rubbing, pulling, or vibration. On a car that has spent long periods stored, a broader once-over is worthwhile before trusting it on a longer trip.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Plymouth Sundance be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Plymouth Sundance should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, cuts, sidewall cracking, and any developing bulges. Even radial tires on lower-mileage collector cars can age out before they wear out, especially when the car spends long periods parked. Occasional movement and routine pressure checks help keep the tires in better working condition.
Storage matters almost as much as road use. Keeping the Sundance away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, and ozone sources can help preserve the sidewalls and rubber over time. It also helps to inspect the tires before each outing rather than assuming they are fine because the car was rarely driven since the last trip.
