Yes I can break them loose in 2nd, but the car still moves though. Its fun going sideways with the power I make. I never launch the car on the street anyways, its always 2nd onwards. The difference b/w a 215 and 225 is usually 1 to 4 lbs depending on brand of tire, sometimes even similar. No way I'm running a 235 or 245 tire especially with a 40 series sidewall. Reminds me of a conversation I was having Shandon on the ecmlink forums yesterday. I believe he's on this board too, drives a low 11 sec 1g. He mentioned to me how its been nothing but a boat load of broken parts and axles every since he switched to a 235 or 245 (can't remember) tire from a smaller profile, and has not even had a personal best on them either. Having a tire that gives out matters too. We have AWD, even with a 215 tire you have more traction than most RWD car on the street with wide tires.

You have to remember I have MT slicks mounted on 15" rotas for the track. Getting the biggest tire on the street was not at the top of my list, which might be for others. Weight was my # 1 concern. I also have something now that 99.9% of DSMers don't use, which is a cusco 4 spider LSD center differential
Big tires aren't everything, I've been that route before and prefer a 215/45 or max 225/45 tire.