After sinking what amounted to several mortgage payments into repairing my 99 and getting it road worthy, I'm short on cash to buy new rubber all around.
My neighbor has offered to give me a set of tires, both have very good tread and would get me through the winter until I can afford to invest in a new set.

Recommended tire size for my ride is 235/70R/15s and my neighbor is offering a set of 215/75R/15s or a set of 205/70R/15s .. both are snows, but a bit smaller in size and width. Would it really matter that much if I used either of those instead of the recommended 235's ?

 

you will tell a big diff but you can put them on an be fine but yes big diff

 

If the vehicle is 4WD, and you plan on using 4WD, all 4 tires must be the same size, same brand is better yet. If the vehicle is 2WD, and the new tires are on the rear, the speedometer will not be accurate, and you might have problems with ABS.

 

I would go to craigslist instead and get a set of 4 correct size. Putting smaller tires on affects the ABS big time... Not a good idea

 

I took my neighbor up on his offer, grabbed the 215/75R/15's he had on Chevy rims yesterday afternoon. I put them on Craig's List after reading responses here and sold them this morning. I took the money I made and the little I had put aside and purchased a brand new set of Firestone Winterforce 235's .. thanks for the advice fellas