i like small wheels with meaty tires

[GiacGtiAgain]

Because of this, i am going to throw some 16x7 wheels on my forester. Does anyone think these are too small? I love the feel of a 16 inch wheel with a 225/50 series tire. some people insist that you need a much thinner sidewall for optimum performance, but there are many variables. I plan on going with something like a falken azenis in 225/50/16.

Appearance wise, will this look too small? My car originally came with 16x6.5 wheels with a +48 offset, so my thinking is that with a 16x7 wheel and a +40 offset, they will look more aggressive than stock.

Also, the wheels i bought are white. Am i a ricer and/or homosexual now?

[Das Borgen]

don t get azenis

get Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec

they have better wet grip, better dry grip and handle heat cycles FAR better than the RT-615.... plus Tirerack has a 50bucks rebate on a set of 4 of the 'lops

[PowerDubs]

Quote, originally posted by GiacGtiAgain »

some people insist that you need a much thinner sidewall for optimum performance,

Those people also slam their cars and loose suspension travel. A smaller wheel is generally a lighter wheel. More sidewall gives a better ride and pothole protection.

My R32 came with 18's. I took them off and run 17 inch clones.. most people can't tell the difference. It rides much better.

I ran 16 inch wheels for a while. They looked a little silly if you care about such things, but hell you can't see them when you drive.

[GiacGtiAgain]

Quote, originally posted by Das Borgen »

don t get azenis get Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec they have better wet grip, better dry grip and handle heat cycles FAR better than the RT-615.... plus Tirerack has a 50bucks rebate on a set of 4 of the 'lops

azenis will be a good $200 cheaper. i have heard star specs are superior as well but for that kind of savings i think i will be happy with the azenis. they will still be the stickiest tires i've ever had.

[BRealistic]

Just make sure to get a tire with a stiff sidewall.

I guess you can get a higher load rating tire for a stiff sidewall?

[GiacGtiAgain]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

Just make sure to get a tire with a stiff sidewall. I guess you can get a higher load rating tire for a stiff sidewall?

Yea that is one way. I'm assuming a track oriented tire like the azenis will have a relatively stiff sidewall regardless of size. i could also always go down to a 45 series for a stiffer sidewall, but it wouldn't quite fill out my wheel wells in a visually pleasing way.

[Brendon1098]

Quote, originally posted by PowerDubs »

Those people also slam their cars and loose suspension travel. A smaller wheel is generally a lighter wheel. More sidewall gives a better ride and pothole protection. My R32 came with 18's. I took them off and run 17 inch clones.. most people can't tell the difference. It rides much better. I ran 16 inch wheels for a while. They looked a little silly if you care about such things, but hell you can't see them when you drive.

Wow, never seen arietta's on a R. Do not want.

Monte carlo's however :FAP FAP FAP:

[ZoomBy]

[Doug Butabi]

Quote, originally posted by Brendon1098 »

Wow, never seen arietta's on a R.

magnificent

[Monarchy]

Quote, originally posted by PowerDubs »

I ran 16 inch wheels for a while. They looked a little silly if you care about such things, but hell you can't see them when you drive.

How'd you fit them on your R? I was under the impression that you needed a 17 at minimum to clear the front calipers.

[TheMunky]

Quote, originally posted by Brendon1098 »

Wow, never seen arietta's on a R. Do not want.

Those aren't, Ariettas have curved spokes, those are flat.

Azenis are nice and sticky and are pretty cheap, but mine did not last very long :/

[Pennywise]

my car with 16x7s with dinky 205s...i upped to 16x8, +50et with a 225/50/16...and its awesome

[LukeRP311]

my friend has an srt 4 that he "downsized" from 17x7 to 16x8 overall performance was increased greatly... unless you are worried too much appreance 16's are great

[KC Jazz]

As a fellow TCL subaru brother, I say no. White sounds horrible as well. 17 x 8 isn't even remotely harsh on these cars. I have a feeling it's not going to look very good haha..

[deadguy]

high profile wheels, the next big thing, low profile is out

[deadguy]

Quote, originally posted by Pennywise »

my car with 16x7s with dinky 205s...i upped to 16x8, +50et with a 225/50/16...and its awesome

perfect

[FBMphil]

Looks good on a Miata, probably not so much on a Forester.

I hate small wheels and fat tires though, so MEH.

[Cort]

I do too.

16x8 with 205/55's
16x9 with 225/50's

Handles like a gecko on glass, and is a nice quiet/soft ride too.

[Rogerthat]

Quote, originally posted by GiacGtiAgain »

Also, the wheels i bought are white. Am i a ricer and/or homosexual now?

No and or I don't care because you gave me a beer.

I love 17s!

[SSLByron]

Quote, originally posted by gintaras »

perfect

They're FD RX-7 wheels. Those look like they were either sprayed or powdercoated in a gunmetal finish.

I have two sets myself.

[Pennywise]

Quote, originally posted by PassSedanGLX »

They're FD RX-7 wheels. Those look like they were either sprayed or powdercoated in a gunmetal finish.

yes, they are sprayed gunmetal, best set of cheap wheels

[SSLByron]

Quote, originally posted by Pennywise »

yes, they are sprayed gunmetal, best set of cheap wheels

Mind if I ask what you used? Duplicolor wheel?

Both of my sets are currently brake dust gray two-tone.

[Sir Biggz]

[Pennywise]

Quote, originally posted by KC Jazz »

As a fellow TCL subaru brother, I say no. White sounds horrible as well. 17 x 8 isn't even remotely harsh on these cars. I have a feeling it's not going to look very good haha..

on my old WRX wagon, i was able to run 17x8 with a 255 tire. the fronts fit just fine (sedan fenders) and the rear just needed a slight roll.

[konigwheels]

Quote, originally posted by GiacGtiAgain »

Yea that is one way. I'm assuming a track oriented tire like the azenis will have a relatively stiff sidewall regardless of size. i could also always go down to a 45 series for a stiffer sidewall, but it wouldn't quite fill out my wheel wells in a visually pleasing way.

With the RT-615 you DO NOT need to worry about sidewall stiffness. They've got all you need. Also, it was said before, the star specs are awesome tires, but the Azenis are much cheaper, and to me look awesome!

[GiacGtiAgain]

for the record, here is how my car looks with 16s...

i think that looks pretty good. the 16s im getting will be a half inch wider and stick out a full centimeter further due to different offset. the tires in that pic are only 205's too.

[mellbergVWfan]

Looks fine with 16's.

[Theclayman]

14" wheels are where it's at

[Pennywise]

Quote, originally posted by PassSedanGLX »

Mind if I ask what you used? Duplicolor wheel? Both of my sets are currently brake dust gray two-tone.

i used rustoluem gunmetal

[Achilles]

Some 13's on my BMW, although they'll eventually be replaced with 15's so I can fit bigger brakes.

[mr lee]

i don't see any advantage and wish this "fad" would DIAF

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by GiacGtiAgain »

Am i a homosexual now?

That's not really something for us to decide (or care about imo).

I think a vehicle with an "off road" design can pull off the smaller wheel/higher tire aspect ratio look since that works MUCH better off road that the typical low profile tire crap on vehicle today.

And in the end - who gives a flying flynn what people think? It's your car. F em.

[hushypushy]

Quote, originally posted by Theclayman »

14" wheels are where it's at

that's what I'm saying!

14x6 Panasports with 185/60/14

[Pennywise]

Quote, originally posted by mr lee »

i don't see any advantage and wish this "fad" would DIAF

what fad? having meaty tires? explain.

[shooting blanks]