To stagger or not to stagger
 

So, due to a shitty alignment, my front two yoko es-100's are bald on the outside. So I need basically two new tires, so I thought what the hey, I'll get two wider rear tires and put the backs on the front. I read on miata.net that they think going staggered is a bad thing and that it will disrupt handling. So I guess I could get 4 new tires, but that will cost 2x as much. What do you think?
I was planning on getting Kumho SPT 225/50/16 in the rear and leave my 205/45/16 es-100's in the front. Opinions?
-Michael-

it can generate some more understeer, if you go staggered i recommend a more rear bias spring selection or a stiffer rear sway bar to even it back out.

That's gonna jack up the rear like a hot rod. You need a 225/35/16, if there is such a thing. IMO - If you're not tracking or autocrossing the car, I don't think it's going to make a big enough difference in street driving to outweigh the cool factor from the looks. Wide tires are cool.

Yea, I know they are a bit larger than what would be recommended, but no one makes the correct aspect ratio. I think they are only about an inch larger (dia) than the front, so I didn't think it would be too awful bad.
-Michael-

if you've got coil overs you could level the car- lower the rear. An inch is a fairly large difference when you consider the percentage of the side view that is.

maybe ill just eat it and buy 4 new tires.. I just hate to see those other two tires be wasted.
-Michael-

sell it on eBay- I know it sounds nuts, but I've sold every single spare tire (in common sizes) I've had because there's somebody out there looking for one or two of them (like you).

hmm, you have a very good point. Ebay is the solution to all things needed to be sold..
-Michael-

why not get another pair of 205 45 16s?

or use them up doing some nifty smokey things in front of a camera.

Well there a bit expensive for the es-100's, and I want to go wider for both cosmetic and grip reasons.
-Michael-