The 1998 Subaru Impreza sits in the era when Subaru’s compact all-wheel-drive cars had become known for practical daily use, sharp road manners, and a growing enthusiast following. That makes tire selection on this model less about broad guesswork and more about matching the exact configuration. The 1998 Subaru Impreza uses radial tires, but fitment splits across three sizes: 195/60R15, 205/60R15, and 205/55R16. Available choices range from blackwall and raised white letter styles to whitewall and redline treatments, with both touring-oriented and sport-oriented series in the mix. The key is confirming the right sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing a tire that suits the car’s intended look and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1998 Subaru Impreza
Three tire sizes apply to the 1998 Subaru Impreza, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 15-inch rims, while one uses a 16-inch rim, so the first step is confirming whether the car is an L, Outback, or RS and checking the wheels currently on the vehicle. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire style, brand, series, and overall character.
195/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 195 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1998 Subaru Impreza, this size suits the 15-inch wheel setup used on the L. Product choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin offerings, with sidewall styles such as wide whitewall, redline, raised white letter, and blackwall across series like Silvertown Radial, Radial TA, and Primacy 3. This size makes sense when the goal is to stay with the proper L-model fitment while still choosing between traditional appearance cues and a more modern touring presentation.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1998 Subaru Impreza, this size belongs to the Outback sub-model rather than every version of the car. Available options include Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich products, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewall treatments in series such as Primacy 3, American Classic Radial, Star Series, and Radial TA. It is the size to evaluate when the car has the Outback setup and the buyer wants to balance correct fitment with either a stock-leaning or more customized appearance.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter. On the 1998 Subaru Impreza, this size is tied to the RS and its 16-inch wheel fitment. Choices here include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic products, mostly in blackwall form, with one wide whitewall option, and the available series range from g-Force sport-focused designs to the Michelin SX MXX3 N2. This size should be chosen only after confirming the car is on the proper 16-inch setup, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1998 Subaru Impreza because each covered version uses its own tire size. Checking whether the car is an L, Outback, or RS is the quickest way to avoid choosing the right tire in the wrong diameter.
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1998 Subaru Impreza L
The 1998 Subaru Impreza L uses a 195/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the right look and product character within that size, whether the goal is a straightforward blackwall radial or a more appearance-driven whitewall, redline, or raised white letter presentation.
The 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback uses a 205/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch wheel. That makes the choice more specific than simply picking any 15-inch Impreza tire, and it opens up options across blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles depending on how the car is being presented.
The 1998 Subaru Impreza RS uses a 205/55R16 radial tire on a 16-inch wheel. Selecting tires for the RS starts with confirming that 16-inch wheel setup, then comparing the available blackwall and whitewall choices across more sport-oriented and performance-minded radial series.
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 Subaru Impreza Tires for Sale
Available 1998 Subaru Impreza tires vary by size, brand, series, and sidewall treatment. Depending on the sub-model, choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Coker Classic options in blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and raised white letter styles across both touring and sport-oriented radial lines.
These 1998 Subaru Impreza tire FAQs focus on the three correct sizes, the difference between L, Outback, and RS fitment, wheel-diameter checks, available sidewall and brand choices, and the inspections that matter before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1998 Subaru Impreza?
A 1998 Subaru Impreza can use one of three tire sizes: 195/60R15, 205/60R15, or 205/55R16. The correct size depends on the sub-model. The L uses 195/60R15, the Outback uses 205/60R15, and the RS uses 205/55R16, and all three are radial sizes.
The important next step is matching the tire to the exact car rather than the model name alone. Since both 15-inch and 16-inch wheel diameters are involved, checking the sub-model and confirming the actual wheels on the vehicle helps prevent choosing a size that looks close on paper but does not belong on that configuration.
What size rim does a 1998 Subaru Impreza use?
A 1998 Subaru Impreza uses either a 15-inch or 16-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 195/60R15 and 205/60R15 fitments use 15-inch rims, while the 205/55R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim.
That means rim diameter should be confirmed before shopping by size alone. A car that has changed hands over the years may be wearing wheels from another Impreza trim or an aftermarket setup, so the safest approach is to check the wheel itself and then compare the tire size, wheel width, and clearance needs before making a final choice.
Do all 1998 Subaru Impreza sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 1998 Subaru Impreza sub-models covered here do not all use the same tire size. The L uses 195/60R15, the Outback uses 205/60R15, and the RS uses 205/55R16. That split also means the RS uses a different rim diameter from the two 15-inch configurations.
Sub-model identification matters because the difference is more than a small width change. The RS steps up to a 16-inch wheel, while the L and Outback stay on 15-inch rims with different section widths and profiles. Matching the correct sub-model first keeps the tire search focused on the right group of products and the right wheel diameter.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1998 Subaru Impreza tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model, since the 1998 Subaru Impreza uses three different fitments across L, Outback, and RS versions. From there, compare construction details within the radial category, wheel-diameter compatibility, and the overall character of the available tire lines.
The best choice often comes down to how the car is used and how it should look. Some sizes include straightforward blackwall touring tires, while others add raised white letter, redline, or whitewall options. It also helps to compare rim-width ranges, load figures where given, and whether the goal is a clean modern presentation or a more distinctive period-style appearance.
What sidewall styles are available for 1998 Subaru Impreza tires?
Sidewall choices for 1998 Subaru Impreza tires include blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL, depending on the exact tire size. The 195/60R15 size offers the broadest mix, while 205/60R15 includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter options, and 205/55R16 is mostly blackwall with one wide whitewall choice.
That variety gives the car a very different visual character even when the size remains correct. A blackwall usually keeps the presentation more understated, while whitewalls, redlines, and raised white letters create a stronger visual statement. The key is to choose the sidewall style only after confirming the proper size and rim diameter for the specific Impreza sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1998 Subaru Impreza?
Brands available across 1998 Subaru Impreza tire fitments include BFGoodrich, Michelin, American Classic, and Coker Classic. Brand presence varies by size, so the exact list depends on whether the car uses 195/60R15, 205/60R15, or 205/55R16.
Brand comparison is most useful after narrowing the search to the correct sub-model and wheel diameter. Once the size is settled, the buyer can look at tire series, sidewall treatments, rim-width specifications, and any stated load details to decide which product best matches the car’s intended road use and appearance rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1998 Subaru Impreza?
A period-style 1998 Subaru Impreza tire starts with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 195/60R15 for L, 205/60R15 for Outback, or 205/55R16 for RS. After that, appearance becomes the deciding factor, since the available products range from simple blackwalls to wide whitewalls, redlines, and raised white letter designs.
The right look depends on how authentic, subtle, or personalized the car should appear. A blackwall usually feels closest to a restrained late-1990s presentation, while whitewalls or redlines push the visual character in a more custom direction. When exact originality matters, size and overall visual style should be checked against marque references and the car’s own historical details.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1998 Subaru Impreza?
Tire construction is straightforward on the 1998 Subaru Impreza because the covered fitments are all radial. That means the visible difference between one restored-car tire choice and another comes less from bias-ply versus radial construction and more from the tread and sidewall presentation offered within the correct radial size.
For this car, appearance decisions center on blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter styling and on whether the selected series looks modern, sporty, or more nostalgic. Keeping the proper size for the L, Outback, or RS matters just as much as the sidewall treatment, since the wrong diameter or profile can change the visual stance of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1998 Subaru Impreza?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1998 Subaru Impreza. Wheel swaps, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lowering, and body or fender changes can all influence whether the original size still makes sense or whether clearance becomes tighter than expected.
That matters even more here because the car already spans both 15-inch and 16-inch wheel setups from the factory. If the Impreza has aftermarket wheels or a changed suspension, it is smart to verify wheel diameter, wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, and steering clearance before settling on a size that matches the car’s current configuration rather than its original trim alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1998 Subaru Impreza on new tires?
Before driving a 1998 Subaru Impreza on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and general condition, then confirm the tire size matches the car’s sub-model. It also helps to check valve stems, look for any rubbing points, and make sure the tires are inflated properly for initial road use.
A short test drive should be followed by another look at clearance and air pressure, especially if the car has replacement wheels or suspension changes. On an older Impreza, it is also wise to inspect alignment-related wear patterns, steering feel, and any signs of uneven contact, since new tires often reveal problems that older worn tires had been masking.
How often should tires on a 1998 Subaru Impreza be inspected?
Tires on a 1998 Subaru Impreza should be inspected regularly, even if the car is not driven often. Routine checks should include tread condition, uneven wear, air loss, cuts, bulges, and age-related sidewall cracking, especially on a collector or low-mileage example that may spend long periods parked.
A good habit is to inspect the tires before longer drives and at consistent intervals during the driving season. Cars that sit can develop problems that are not mileage-related, so storage conditions matter too. Keeping the Impreza away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between uses and reduce surprises when it returns to the road.
