I’m trying to get a new set of rims and tires for my 2003 Mazda Protégé ES. I’m thinking about upgrading from my stock 16s to 17s, but I’m not sure of what size tires to get. Discount Tire’s website says I can use: 205/40-17, 205/45-17 or 215/40-17. I also noticed the 2003 Protégé MazdaSpeed uses a 215/45-17 tire.

The wheels I’m looking at right now are 17x7.5 and my car isn’t lowered (one of these days I might). Could someone give me some suggestions?

Also, if anyone has pictures of their ride on 17s, please post with tire dimensions so I can get an idea of what it will look like. Thanks.

I could be wrong, but a 7.5" wheel seems a little overkill for an 05 cross-section. I know of several P5/MSP autoXer's that use 205/40's on 7" rims though. 215 may be a little big for a stock P(?).

stick with the mazdaspeed protege tire size....
since that is a stock tire size, it wont affect your speedo
thats what i had to do for my 3.
im buying 17's, and im just sticking with the 50 series tires that are the stock sizes on the mazda3 17's

incase you check this one before the protege one.
I posted if you want to check out what 17's will look like on the car go to www.lesschwab.com (http://www.lesschwab.com)
that is a tire company here in the pacific northwest.
you can get the look, if you live in the PNW then you can go into their shop and actually see what it would look like lowered also
or lifted..... HAHA

I would go with a 215-45-17, just like you said in your first post that is what the MazdaSpeed Protegé comes with from the factory and I have driven a couple Protegés with that tire size and I think it's a comfortable ride and good look combination.