Sorry, I guess I should have clarified that205/40/17 is the recommended tire size for a 17 inch wheel on a pre-2001 Civic to keep it as close as possibleto the OEM overall diameter... since he already has the wheels...

 

what is the recomended size for 17's on a 2001+ civic??

 

for 2001+ civic... i say 205/45/17 lowered or 215/45/17 not lowered(maybe 1" if you lower) 7th gen cars has bigger diameter than previous gen.

 

do you think that the 2001-2005 civics drive better with 17's than the previous generation civic?

 

There are a variety of opinions out there ...
but the smaller the sidewall the rougher the ride..
It really depends on what you want..
Putting a larger than OEM wheel is called "plus sizing"

My 04 EX Coupe has 195/60/15 Stock, I am either going to a:
"Plus 0" 205/60/15
or a
"Plus 1" 205/55-16

The Plus 1 will give me better handling but a rougher ride...

hth
rk