The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse belongs to the final years of the model’s sport-compact era, when dramatic styling and front-drive performance helped it stand apart from more conservative coupes of the time. Buyers still choose these cars today for street use, weekend cruising, and clean modern-youngtimer builds. Tire selection depends on the exact 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse sub-model, with radial fitments in 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17. That creates different paths for RS, GS, GT, GTS, and Spyder owners, including blackwall performance-oriented choices and even a wide whitewall radial in 205/55R16. The right pick starts with the correct sub-model and wheel diameter, then moves to appearance, use, and overall setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Three tire sizes apply to the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and they vary by sub-model as well as wheel diameter. RS models use a 15-inch fitment, GS models use a 16-inch fitment, and GT, GTS, and several Spyder versions use a 17-inch fitment. The first step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel size on the car, especially if it has been changed from stock over the years.
A 205/55R16 tire uses a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this size serves sub-models that balance everyday drivability with the Eclipse’s sporty character. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic, with both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments depending on the look you want. This size is worth evaluating carefully if your car is a GS or Spyder GS, or if a restoration-inspired appearance matters as much as modern radial fitment.
A 215/50R17 tire is slightly wider in nominal section width than the 205 size, carries a 50-series profile, uses radial construction, and mounts on a 17-inch wheel. For the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this fitment is tied to the higher-wheel-diameter GT, GTS, Spyder GT, and Spyder GTS configurations. Product choices center on BFGoodrich performance-oriented blackwall offerings across several g-Force series. This is the size to focus on when the car already wears the correct 17-inch wheels and the goal is preserving the intended fitment range for those specific sub-models.
A 195/65R15 tire uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 65-series profile, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim. On the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, this size belongs to the RS configuration and represents the smallest wheel diameter used across the model line. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, since moving between 15-inch, 16-inch, and 17-inch Eclipse fitments is not just a tire-size change but a wheel-size change as well. This size should be chosen only after verifying that the car remains on the proper 15-inch setup for the RS application.
Sub-model identification matters on the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse because tire fitment changes across the range. RS, GS, GT, GTS, and Spyder versions do not all share the same size, so the correct tire starts with confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter on the car.
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2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS uses a 205/55R16 radial tire. That makes tire choice less about sorting through multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right 16-inch radial option for the car’s intended look and driving use.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT uses a 215/50R17 radial tire. Tire selection here centers on confirming the 17-inch wheel setup and choosing among the available blackwall radial options in the correct size.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS also uses a 215/50R17 radial tire. Since this size is shared with other upper-trim Eclipse variants, the main task is matching the correct 17-inch fitment and comparing the available tire series within that size.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS uses a 195/65R15 radial tire. Because this sub-model carries the smallest wheel diameter in the lineup, wheel verification matters before replacing tires or comparing the car to other Eclipse trims.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS uses the same 205/55R16 radial size as the coupe GS. That shared fitment gives you access to the same 16-inch radial choices, including different sidewall presentations depending on whether appearance is part of the decision.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT uses a 215/50R17 radial tire. Choosing the right tire begins with keeping the 17-inch fitment straight, then comparing the available blackwall performance-style products in that size.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GTS uses a 215/50R17 radial tire. That places it in the same primary fitment group as the coupe GT and GTS, so product selection is mainly about the tire series and overall setup rather than alternate primary sizes.
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 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Tires for Sale
Available 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires center on radial fitments in 205/55R16 and 215/50R17, with choices from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. The product grid highlights differences in tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall presentation, and wheel-width compatibility within the correct size.
2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners usually need to sort out the exact tire size by sub-model first, then compare wheel diameter, available radial options, sidewall style, and practical fitment checks before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse uses three different radial tire sizes, depending on sub-model. RS models use 195/65R15, GS and Spyder GS models use 205/55R16, and GT, GTS, Spyder GT, and Spyder GTS models use 215/50R17.
That means the right tire size starts with identifying the exact trim and confirming the wheel diameter currently on the car. A used Eclipse may have aftermarket wheels or a wheel swap from another trim, so the sidewall size and the actual rim should both be checked before choosing replacement tires.
What size rim does a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse use?
A 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse can use 15-inch, 16-inch, or 17-inch rims, depending on sub-model. The RS uses a 15-inch rim with 195/65R15 tires, the GS and Spyder GS use a 16-inch rim with 205/55R16 tires, and GT, GTS, Spyder GT, and Spyder GTS use a 17-inch rim with 215/50R17 tires.
Rim diameter is the first fitment detail to confirm because tires cannot be mixed across these wheel sizes. Once the correct diameter is established, the next step is checking that the tire size on the car still matches the intended sub-model setup rather than assuming every 2004 Eclipse uses the same wheel and tire combination.
Do all 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse sub-models use the same tire size?
No, 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The range is split across 195/65R15, 205/55R16, and 215/50R17 radial fitments, with each size tied to specific coupe and Spyder versions.
That difference matters because moving from one Eclipse trim to another can also mean changing wheel diameter, not just tire width or profile. Sub-model identification helps keep replacement tires aligned with the car’s actual wheel setup, and it becomes especially important when the car has been modified or fitted with wheels from another Eclipse variant.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse sub-model, since the car uses three different radial fitments. After that, compare wheel diameter, approved rim-width range, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any load information that is relevant to the size you are considering.
The best choice depends on how the car is used and how you want it to look. A GS owner may focus on 205/55R16 options with either blackwall or wide whitewall styling, while a GT or GTS owner may be comparing blackwall performance-oriented 215/50R17 offerings on the correct 17-inch wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. In 205/55R16, 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse buyers can choose from blackwall and wide whitewall radials, while the 215/50R17 products available for GT-, GTS-, and related Spyder fitments are blackwall designs.
That makes sidewall choice part of the buying decision rather than a small cosmetic detail. A blackwall tire suits a more modern sport-compact presentation, while a wide whitewall in the GS-size fitment creates a custom or retro-inspired look that changes the car’s appearance without changing the basic radial construction.
What brands offer tires for the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Available tire brands for the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. Brand coverage varies by size, with BFGoodrich appearing in both 205/55R16 and 215/50R17, while Michelin and American Classic are represented in 205/55R16.
Brand should be considered alongside size, wheel fitment, sidewall style, and tire series rather than treated as the only decision point. Comparing products within the correct size will give a clearer picture of what each option offers, especially when the car’s trim level narrows the fitment to one wheel diameter.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
A period-style 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse tire choice starts with keeping the correct sub-model size in place. Once that fitment is confirmed, the appearance decision usually comes down to whether the car should retain a sport-compact blackwall look or move toward a more customized presentation within the same radial size.
For GS-size applications, 205/55R16 offers both blackwall and wide whitewall options, which creates a meaningful visual choice. Buyers chasing a highly accurate early-2000s look should compare tire style against period photos, original sales material, and model-specific enthusiast references rather than assuming every available sidewall treatment matches factory delivery.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
On the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the primary fitments are radial tires, so construction choice is less about bias-ply versus radial appearance and more about selecting the right modern radial style. Visual character comes more from size, sidewall treatment, and the overall relationship between the tire and the wheel.
A blackwall radial keeps the car aligned with the sport-compact look most buyers associate with this generation, while a wide whitewall creates a very different custom impression on a GS-size setup. Restoration-minded owners should keep the correct diameter and profile in focus so appearance changes do not blur the intended stance of the car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and wheel swaps between RS, GS, GT, GTS, and Spyder trims can all change how a tire sits in the wheel opening and whether the original size relationship has been preserved.
A car that no longer has its original wheel diameter should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen by trim alone. Measuring the installed wheel, confirming the current tire size, and checking clearance at full steering lock and normal ride height can prevent ordering a tire that matches the badge but not the actual setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires?
Before driving a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm proper tire pressure, and make sure the new tires match the car’s actual wheel diameter and intended size. It is also wise to look over valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition.
A careful road-use check should also include looking for rubbing, uneven stance, vibration, or air loss during the first miles. Since this Eclipse uses three different wheel diameters across the model range, a final visual confirmation of tire size and wheel size is especially useful when the car has changed hands or seen prior modifications.
How often should tires on a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse be inspected?
Tires on a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Frequent checks for air pressure, cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and damage from curbs or potholes are important on a sporty coupe or convertible that may see seasonal use or long periods of storage.
Cars that are driven less often still need attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage. A monthly inspection is a sensible routine, with extra checks before longer drives, after winter storage, or anytime the car develops vibration, pull, visible shoulder wear, or a noticeable change in ride quality.
