The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse belongs to the era when sport compacts blended everyday drivability with sharper styling and a more aggressive factory stance. For many owners, this generation still sits at the intersection of tuner culture, preserved originals, and clean street-driven examples. Tire selection on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse starts with identifying the exact sub-model, because RS, GS, and GT trim levels use different radial sizes on 15-, 16-, or 17-inch rims. Available choices range from performance-oriented blackwall radials to a wide whitewall option in 205/55R16. The right decision comes down to trim-specific fitment, wheel diameter, intended appearance, and how the car is actually used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Three tire sizes apply to the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. The RS uses a 15-inch setup, the GS uses a 16-inch setup, and the GT uses a 17-inch setup, so confirming the trim level and the wheels currently on the car is the first step before comparing tire options.
In 205/55R16, the 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is a modern radial size used on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, giving buyers a straightforward replacement format that remains familiar in current tire sizing. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments depending on the look you want. It is a useful size for owners balancing trim-correct fitment with either a sportier appearance or a more distinctive custom presentation.
The 215/50R17 size uses a 215-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim. On the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this size belongs to the GT, making wheel diameter confirmation especially important before ordering. Product choices in this size center on BFGoodrich g-Force series tires, all in blackwall form, which keeps the selection focused on modern radial performance styling rather than restoration-style sidewall treatments. This is the size to evaluate when the car retains its GT wheel setup and the goal is staying within the proper trim-specific fitment.
A 195/65R15 tire measures 195 millimeters in nominal section width, carries a 65-series profile, uses radial construction, and mounts on a 15-inch wheel. This size is used on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS, so it serves a different trim and wheel package than the GS or GT. The main practical point with this fitment is not comparing it to the larger Eclipse sizes, but making sure the car still has the correct 15-inch wheel setup before choosing replacements. Owners should treat it as an RS-specific fitment rather than a general Eclipse tire size.
Sub-model fitment on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse is not interchangeable across the range, because each covered trim uses its own radial tire size and wheel diameter. Checking whether the car is an RS, GS, or GT matters before comparing products, since the first decision is matching the tire to the correct wheel setup.
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2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS uses a 205/55R16 radial tire, placing it between the RS and GT in wheel diameter. Tire selection here can include performance-oriented blackwall options or a wide whitewall presentation, depending on whether the goal is a sport-compact look or a more customized appearance.
The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT uses a 215/50R17 radial tire, tied to the largest wheel diameter among the covered sub-models. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, and the available choices focus on blackwall g-Force series tires for owners staying with the GT's trim-specific fitment.
The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS uses a 195/65R15 radial tire on the smallest rim diameter in the range. The main takeaway for replacement is to verify that the car still carries its 15-inch wheel setup, especially if it has seen wheel swaps or other appearance changes 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 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse Tires for Sale
Available 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire choices vary by trim-specific size, with BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic options across several radial series. Buyers can compare blackwall sport-oriented tires in 16- and 17-inch sizes, while 205/55R16 also includes a wide whitewall alternative for a different visual style.
These 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse FAQs focus on trim-specific tire sizes, wheel diameter, radial fitment, product differences, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before putting a low-use or modified car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses three different radial tire sizes depending on sub-model. The RS uses 195/65R15, the GS uses 205/55R16, and the GT uses 215/50R17. Those sizes correspond to three different wheel diameters, so there is not one single tire size that applies across every 2000 Eclipse covered here.
The first step is identifying whether the car is an RS, GS, or GT and then confirming the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle. That matters even more on older sport compacts, because wheel swaps are common and the tire should match the wheels currently installed, not just the badge on the car.
What size rim does a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse use?
Rim diameter on a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse depends on the sub-model. The RS uses a 15-inch rim with 195/65R15 tires, the GS uses a 16-inch rim with 205/55R16 tires, and the GT uses a 17-inch rim with 215/50R17 tires. Each tire size is built around its own wheel diameter.
A 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch tire cannot be selected correctly until the wheel diameter is confirmed on the car itself. Checking the wheel setup is especially important if the Eclipse has aftermarket wheels, has changed hands several times, or no longer wears the original trim-specific wheel package.
Why does the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse have more than one tire size?
The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse has more than one tire size because the RS, GS, and GT sub-models use different wheel and tire packages. The RS carries 195/65R15, the GS uses 205/55R16, and the GT uses 215/50R17. Each size belongs to a specific trim rather than being a universal Eclipse fitment.
That means the buyer decision starts with the exact sub-model and the actual wheels on the vehicle, not with brand or tread pattern. Once the trim and wheel diameter are confirmed, then it makes sense to compare available tire series, sidewall styles, and other product differences within the proper size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/55R16 tire for a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
For a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse using 205/55R16, the main factors are correct GS fitment, radial construction, wheel compatibility, and the kind of appearance you want. This size is available in blackwall form from BFGoodrich and Michelin, and it also appears as a wide whitewall American Classic Radial for a more distinctive visual treatment.
Beyond size, compare the tire series and the rim-width requirements against the wheels on the car. A clean original-style GS may suit a conventional blackwall radial, while a custom-oriented build may lean toward the wide whitewall option. The best choice is the one that matches the car's setup and the owner's intended look.
What sidewall styles are available for 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size and product selected. In the available Eclipse fitments here, blackwall is the most common sidewall treatment, appearing in both 205/55R16 and 215/50R17. The 205/55R16 size also includes a wide whitewall option, which gives the GS a very different visual character than a standard blackwall performance radial.
That makes sidewall selection more than a cosmetic afterthought, especially on a car with modified wheels or a custom theme. Choosing between blackwall and wide whitewall should happen after the correct size is confirmed, since the sidewall treatment does not override the need to match the proper trim-specific tire and wheel combination.
What brands offer tires for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic all appear in the available tire choices for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. BFGoodrich covers both 205/55R16 and 215/50R17 with several g-Force series offerings, Michelin appears in 205/55R16, and American Classic offers a 205/55R16 radial with a wide whitewall sidewall treatment.
Brand alone should not drive the decision, because the exact size and wheel diameter still come first. After confirming whether the car is an RS, GS, or GT, compare which brands are available in that specific fitment and then look at sidewall styling, tire series character, and wheel-width compatibility to narrow the choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
A period-style 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse starts with the correct trim-specific size: 195/65R15 for RS, 205/55R16 for GS, or 215/50R17 for GT. Staying with the proper radial size and wheel diameter preserves the car's intended stance more closely than mixing fitments from other sub-models. From there, the choice becomes one of overall look and product character.
Many owners aiming for a stock-leaning sport compact appearance will gravitate toward blackwall radials, while a custom build may favor the 205/55R16 wide whitewall option. Exact originality questions are best settled with vehicle-specific historical references and marque guidance, especially if appearance accuracy matters more than simply filling the wheel opening.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
On the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the primary fitments are radial, so keeping the car in the proper radial size preserves the basic visual relationship between tire and wheel intended for each sub-model. Construction matters visually because the tire's profile, sidewall presentation, and overall character influence whether the car reads as stock-leaning, tuner-inspired, or custom.
Sidewall treatment plays a major role in that impression. A blackwall performance radial tends to suit the Eclipse's late-1990s and early-2000s sport-compact look, while the wide whitewall 205/55R16 option creates a much more personalized appearance. The key is matching the tire's visual style to the build theme without departing from the correct trim-specific size.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse even when the car originally used one of the correct factory-size ranges. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and body modifications can alter clearance at the fender, strut, or steering range, which means the original RS, GS, or GT size may no longer tell the whole story.
A modified Eclipse should be checked for actual wheel diameter and width before replacement tires are chosen. Tire size should also be evaluated against visible clearance at full steering lock and normal ride height. That extra step helps avoid ordering a tire based only on the trim level when the car itself has moved away from stock dimensions.
What should I inspect before driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires?
Before driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the wheel diameter matches the intended tire size, and check for any suspension or steering wear that could affect how the tires sit and track. On an older sport compact, it is also worth looking for uneven old tire wear that might point to alignment issues.
Once the new tires are mounted, verify inflation, look for adequate clearance, and pay attention to vibration or rubbing during the first drive. A car that has been stored, modified, or driven infrequently deserves a closer overall once-over, because fresh tires perform best when the rest of the chassis and wheel hardware are in sound condition.
How often should tires on a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse be inspected?
Tires on a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven seasonally, stored for long periods, or used mostly for weekend driving. Pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of air loss all deserve routine attention. Older vehicles can carry low annual mileage while still developing age-related tire issues.
A quick visual check before driving and a more thorough inspection at regular service intervals is a sensible approach. Storage conditions also matter, since prolonged exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone can shorten tire life even when tread wear looks minimal. Low-use collector cars should never be judged by tread depth alone.
