The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse sits squarely in the late-1990s sport compact era, when coupe styling, turbocharged performance, and tuner culture gave this model a strong following. Whether the car is a naturally aspirated RS or GS, an all-wheel-drive GSX, or a Spyder convertible, tire selection plays a big role in preserving the way the car looks and responds. This Eclipse uses radial tire fitments in three sizes: 195/70R14, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17, depending on sub-model and wheel package. Available choices range from blackwall performance-oriented radials to a wide whitewall option in 205/55R16. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing style, series, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Three tire sizes apply to the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. This is a radial-fitment vehicle, but not every Eclipse uses the same rim size, so the first step is confirming whether the car has 14-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch wheels. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire series, sidewall style, and the kind of driving or appearance you want from the car.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 is the section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this is a core fitment that appears across several sub-models and supports a broad range of radial choices. Available options include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments represented across different tire series. This size is often the main decision point for owners who want to balance proper fitment with either sport-oriented character or a more distinctive visual presentation.
215/50R17 is a metric radial size where 215 denotes nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, and 17 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this size is tied to a specific configuration and belongs on a 17-inch wheel, making wheel confirmation especially important before selection. The available choices center on BFGoodrich g-Force series tires in blackwall form, giving this size a distinctly performance-focused product mix. It is the size to evaluate when the car is equipped for the larger-diameter setup and the goal is to stay with the proper rim and tire relationship.
195/70R14 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this size appears on certain configurations that use the smaller wheel package, so it should not be confused with the 16-inch or 17-inch fitments. The available product choice in this size is a Dunlop Sport Classic blackwall radial, giving it a more focused product selection than the larger sizes. It is a useful fitment to verify carefully when an Eclipse has retained its smaller wheel setup or may have been changed over time.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse because tire size is not uniform across the full lineup. Some versions share the same radial size, while others use a different wheel diameter entirely, so confirming the exact sub-model is the easiest way to avoid chasing the wrong tire.
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1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS uses the 205/55R16 radial size. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing among the available 16-inch options, including differences in brand, series, and sidewall treatment rather than sorting through multiple primary fitments.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST also uses 205/55R16 radials. The main choice here is selecting the tire character you want within that size, whether the priority is a straightforward blackwall performance look or a more appearance-driven whitewall presentation.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX uses 215/50R17 radials on a 17-inch wheel. That makes rim diameter confirmation especially important, and tire selection then focuses on the available blackwall performance-oriented choices offered in this larger fitment.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS can use either 195/70R14 or 205/55R16, depending on wheel setup. Identifying which wheels are actually on the car is the first step, since the tire decision changes from a 14-inch fitment to a 16-inch fitment with a wider product selection.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS appears with either 195/70R14 or 205/55R16 radial tires. Because two primary sizes are associated with this sub-model, checking the actual wheel diameter on the car matters more than assuming one fitment based on the name alone.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GST uses the 205/55R16 radial size. That makes the fitment side relatively straightforward, so the buying decision is more about comparing available 16-inch tire lines, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Tires for Sale
Available 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires vary by size, brand, tire series, and sidewall style. Choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Dunlop, with blackwall offerings across all three fitments and a wide whitewall option in 205/55R16.
Common 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire questions usually come down to exact size by sub-model, wheel diameter, and how to choose among the available radial tires. Owners also tend to ask about appearance options, modified-wheel fitment, and what to inspect before putting an older Eclipse back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
A 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse can use 195/70R14, 205/55R16, or 215/50R17, depending on the sub-model and wheel setup. GS, GST, and Spyder GST use 205/55R16, while GSX uses 215/50R17. RS and Spyder GS can appear with either 195/70R14 or 205/55R16.
The practical step is to confirm the exact sub-model and then check the wheel diameter on the car before choosing tires. RS and Spyder GS are the ones most likely to create confusion because both 14-inch and 16-inch fitments are associated with them. If the car has been modified or fitted with different wheels over time, the current wheel size matters more than assumptions.
What size rim does a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse use?
A 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses one of three rim diameters: 14 inches, 16 inches, or 17 inches. The 195/70R14 tire belongs on a 14-inch rim, 205/55R16 belongs on a 16-inch rim, and 215/50R17 belongs on a 17-inch rim. The exact rim size depends on the sub-model and wheel package.
Checking rim diameter before buying tires is essential because these sizes are not interchangeable across different wheels. A GSX with 17-inch wheels needs a different tire than an RS with a 14-inch wheel package, and some RS or Spyder GS cars may no longer have their original wheels. Looking at the tire sidewall and verifying the wheel itself helps prevent ordering the wrong fitment.
Why does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse have more than one tire size?
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has more than one tire size because the model line includes several sub-models with different wheel packages. The core fitments are 195/70R14, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17, all in radial construction. That range reflects variation within the Eclipse lineup rather than one universal tire size for every version.
For the owner, that means tire selection starts with vehicle configuration rather than brand or tread preference. The GSX uses the 17-inch fitment, while GS, GST, and Spyder GST use 16-inch tires, and RS or Spyder GS may use either 14-inch or 16-inch setups. Confirming the car's present wheels is especially important if it has changed hands, been restored, or received aftermarket parts.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse sub-model and wheel diameter, because the car may use 195/70R14, 205/55R16, or 215/50R17. After size is confirmed, compare construction details, tire series, sidewall style, and the wheel-width range each tire is intended to work with. All primary fitments here are radial.
From there, the choice becomes more about how the car is used and how you want it to look. A blackwall performance-oriented tire suits the Eclipse's sport compact character, while the wide whitewall 205/55R16 offers a very different appearance. It also helps to compare load figures, weight, and the actual wheel setup on the car so the tire matches both the hardware and the intended presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires?
Blackwall is the main sidewall style available for 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires across all three primary sizes. In 205/55R16, there is also a wide whitewall option through the American Classic Radial line. That means the broadest appearance choice is found in the 16-inch fitment rather than the 14-inch or 17-inch sizes.
Sidewall style affects the visual tone of the car as much as the brand name does. A blackwall keeps the look closer to a typical late-1990s sport compact presentation, while a wide whitewall gives the Eclipse a more customized or niche appearance. The first step is still proper fitment, since sidewall preference only matters after the correct tire size and wheel diameter have been confirmed.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Tires for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse are available from BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Dunlop, depending on size. The 205/55R16 fitment has the widest brand spread, while 215/50R17 is centered on BFGoodrich options and 195/70R14 is represented by Dunlop. Brand choice therefore depends partly on which wheel package the car uses.
That matters because some Eclipse owners have several product paths within the correct size, while others have a narrower set of choices. The 16-inch fitment gives more room to compare series and sidewall style, while the 14-inch and 17-inch sizes are more focused. Choosing among brands should come after verifying size, wheel diameter, and whether the car still has its original-type setup or a later wheel change.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
A period-style 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model and wheel diameter: 195/70R14, 205/55R16, or 215/50R17. Because this is a late-1990s radial-fitment car, staying with the proper radial size is the right foundation before thinking about brand or visual details. Blackwall options are the most natural fit for the Eclipse's original era.
Owners who are restoring the car's overall look should focus on matching the tire to the wheel package actually used on the vehicle. The 205/55R16 fitment offers the most variety, including a wide whitewall option, but that look is more customized than typical for an Eclipse of this period. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and surviving examples are worth checking before settling on appearance details.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse restoration because the model used more than one wheel and tire combination across its sub-models. Using the proper size helps preserve the intended stance, wheel-to-tire proportion, and overall character of the car. On this Eclipse, that means matching the car to 14-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch fitment as appropriate.
Fitment also shapes practical details such as clearance and how the car sits visually in the wheel opening. A restored GSX should not be approached the same way as an RS or Spyder GS that may have a smaller wheel package. Before finishing a restoration, it is smart to verify the current wheels, confirm the sub-model, and compare tire appearance so the final result suits the car rather than fighting it.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse even when the nominal tire size looks close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, spring changes, and body or fender work can all alter the space available around the tire. That matters on a car with multiple original rim diameters and sub-model-specific fitments.
A modified Eclipse should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender clearance before a tire is selected. An RS or Spyder GS is especially worth inspecting carefully because those sub-models can start from either a 14-inch or 16-inch setup. Taking measurements on the car itself is the safest way to avoid choosing a tire that suits the size code but not the actual vehicle configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, and make sure the chosen size matches the sub-model and wheel setup. It is also smart to check suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how a fresh set of tires behaves. Tire pressure should be set correctly before road use.
A quick road-use check should also include looking for any rubbing at full steering lock, signs of uneven tread wear from the previous tires, and visible issues such as cracks, bulges, or cuts on any tire being reused. On an older Eclipse that has sat for long periods, tire age and air retention deserve extra attention. A short test drive followed by a recheck can reveal fitment or clearance issues early.
How often should tires on a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse be inspected?
Tires on a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for part of the year. Routine checks should cover tread condition, air pressure, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs of uneven wear. On a collector-minded or weekend-driven Eclipse, aging can become just as important as tread depth.
Inspection is also a good time to confirm that all four tires still match the intended size and wheel setup for the car. An older Eclipse may have passed through several owners, and mixed wheel packages are not unusual on modified sport compacts. Looking over the tires before longer drives, after seasonal storage, and anytime handling feels different helps catch small issues before they turn into roadside problems.
