What is too wide for a 14 inch tire?

Your performance in the rain is more a function of tread design than tire size. Do some research on tires and find yourself a good wet weather performer. A year and a half ago I was looking for new tires for both my ZX2 and my wifes sable. I was pretty much sold on the Perelli P4 Four Season tire. I ended up at then Big O tires (NTB, Tire Kingdom depending on your location) and bought their comparable all season tire as they didn't stock my size in the perelli and a delivery date couldn't be nailed down. I was surprised how well they perform in wet weather. Like I said, do your research to determine what suits you.

I think based on handling in the rain, the 70's will do better than the 60's, as they have somewhat softer sidewalls.

14 inch tires

I don't know what tires you are running now, considering 235 60 14, probably the BFG's or coopers. The BFG's while nice looking, are really an old, sad pathetic tire. They were designed at least 25 years ago, have an S speed rating, are loud, and aren't worth a damn in the rain or snow...

Goodyear used to make a tire, called the wing - something, in the 235 60 14 and 245 60 14 size, but I could not get my hands on them when I sold tires in 1998, so I don't imagine you'll have much more luck there.

I did buy a set of Dunlop GTQ's in 245 60 14 when I bought the Cougar. They do pretty well in the rain, grip pretty well, as in they don't slide out, and are fair to lousy in the snow and ice. Trouble is, they seem hard to find these days as well.

The truth is, 14inch 235 60 aspect ratio series tires don't have a recent, think 20 years, OEM application. Furthermore, very few cars, if any, are coming out with any 14 tire at all. As time goes on, these sizes, 235 60 14 and 245 60 14, are going to cost more and more $$ as they become specialty items.

The same goes for 15 tires in a wide, 60 series, aspect ratio.

Still, if you can find them, the Dunlop GTQ's do pretty well, 235 or 245, so, that's my two cent's.

Don