New Fit Guy checkin in . . .

[tbird911]

I have a SSM Base model that will be here in a week. Of course yoiu guys know that it has 14" wheels with hub caps. I have been searching and reading for the last couple of weeks and I'm not sure I have gained anythign on the subject of rims/wheels other than a headache. So I'm beggin for some help on this:

I'm 38 year old computer engineer with a wife and a kid. I bought the base model cause I liked it- I dont plan on racing it or anything (wink! than might change as the sickness grows.)

I don't plan on droppin the car and if I ever did, it would be to get a more agressive stance and not to slam it to the ground. All of that being said---

Do I keep the 14"'s that come with it and refinish the steelies/buy diff. caps?

Would it be cool to find some 14" rims that I can use with the factory rubber and TPS? Any suggestions?

Do I buy some 15" rims and wheels? If so, do I worry about the TPS sensors etc or just leave them on the 14"s?

I believe that everyone says 45mm offset will pretty much guarantee no rubbing . . .is that correct?

Anyway to avoid the speedo calibration errors form changin tires/wheels or just live iwth it?

I'm strapped for cash so that is always a concern.

Thanks in advance- Tbird

ps. already bought a hood deflector, fitfreak.net sticker and Mugen Door Sills -- the sickness

[bitoy]

Welcome to fitfreak. don't get started it can be addictive j/k lol. maybe some of the guys here can answer all of your questions I'm a noob here.

[tbird911]

No one got any thing on this? Help a new guy out.

Thanks in advance

Tbird

[kenchan]

tbird- first off congrats on the car (bet you cant wait) and nice color choice.

since you plan not to lower the car, why not just get the stock size
15" and tires? 15x6.5 and just run 195/55/15's? you can ask the
tire place to remove the TPM modules from your 14's and mount them
on the 15's or just not run them at all. i have a TPMS light on all the
time but i dont care cause i check tire psi often.

as far as offset, the sport's stockers are +55mm. so your +45 will
stick outward by 10mm. shouldn't matter cause as far as appearance
since the stock 15's are tucked in too far anyway. as far as clearance
from rubbing, i think you're fine. if you want to take it real safe, get
wheels that are 6" or 6.5" width.

most car manufacturers sell wheels that are tucked in to allow the
user to use chains on some mountain roads. chains can stick out as
much as 10-12mm... so shouldn't rub.

hope this helps.

[Rod2Rice]

My current 16x7 42mm don't seem to rub at all with stock suspension, 16x7 40mm did. I also was able to use my TPSM from the stock 15s in the new 16's. If you buy new wheels, just check with the place you get them to see if they will work with the sensors. I've been a big fan of discounttiredirect.com, they give you that info on their site, and they have awesome customer service. Check em out to at least see what kind of wheels are out there.

[tbird911]

Thanks for all the good info guys-- am also playing with the idea of doing some stuff to my steelies-- I saw some pretty cool stuff on a Scion forum.
Tbird

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by tbird911

Thanks for all the good info guys-- am also playing with the idea of doing some stuff to my steelies-- I saw some pretty cool stuff on a Scion forum.
Tbird

you can paint the steelie's lip red and look like a hot ric0r.

[tbird911]

I got ya man . . .that being said-- you should check out what has been done by some folks with the base steelies.

Tbird