Could you elaborate on this? (I think I've read every single 'offset' thread three times over trying to get some idea of what's acceptable.)

 

depends what are u going to do with ur fit if ur going to track it i would go 15's i have 15" sa90's its nice ride but i rub on some bumps and really hard turns.

and if ur just going to make it look nice and chill i would go 16 "

 

IMHO,

16's for the daily use (they look great), and 15's for the track. I have no money for the 16's tho.....

 

I've had a set of these wheels for several years now, and they look as good as when I bought them. The thing that makes the wheels so light and strong is that they are forged. The process is more involved, and I don't know of a less expensive wheel in a 15x7 that weighs less. They do make the wheel in 2 different offsets, so watch that. I have the 41mm offset, but I would stay away from the 35mm offset; you'd probably have rubbing issues on the fender lip.

I've used these wheels on a Miata and several Civics/CRXs over the years with tire sizes of 195/50, 205/50, 215/45, and 225/45. On the Fit, you'll have to make sure the tire is not too wide, or you'll likely rub. Otherwise, be realistic about what you want from the car and get a tire accordingly.

My vote is 15" for street or track.

Let us know what you decide.

 

sounds like the best solution to the priorities i have in mind would be 15s. considering that it's daily driving 95% of the time, something that a. isnt gonna get bent and b. relatively comfortable is realistic. i intend to track it too so i believe that staying with stock sized wheels will allow me to stay in a class more appropriate to the fit (although i need some insight to this as well).

thank you very much for the responses. i had a feeling that the 15s were the right way to go. it stil seems ironic that the wheels that will probably be most comfortable are likely going to be the most productive on the track and the most durable on a daily basis.

 

Both 15 and 16" rims can be used for the street or track but you will have different tires sizes to select from for each.

You'll have more options if you have stock suspension and less clearance with a lowered suspension.

15" rims allow for slightly taller sidewall ratios like 55 or 60 series tires while 16" allow for shorter stiffer performance sidewalls which usually lead to a harsher ride quality.

If your roads are really smooth and good then you can use 40 series sidewalls and 17" rims but if you have normal roads with lots of hazards then 15" would be safer. Just drive with caution. If you hit a pothole going fast you'll likely damage any rim or tire and maybe your suspension.

Forged wheels tend to be stronger and lighter but they are NOT bullet proof. If you track your car you will heat stress and wear your wheels. It is not impossible to crack a rim with with casual track time I've done it and I am very careful. I didn't hit anything just drove driving school at the track about 4 times and done lapping sessions about 6 times for 30 min each time. Cracked a few spokes on a forged 14 pound 17x7 wheel on a MINI.

Every tire is different and you can get really good performance tires to use with either 15 or 16" rims. Just check with Jim@tirerack. The better the performance the faster the tread can wear and the more likely they will be for summer or good weather use (wet or dry is OK), no snow. Performance tires can be noisy and a little rougher riding but not always.

 

I hear you on that one!

 

Has anyone kept the stock Sport wheels but upgraded the tires? I'm curious what visual difference it makes and how much clearance there is for the fender lip and on the backside of the tire.

FWIW, I would be looking at 205/50 or 215/50 tires.

Mike

 

actually, i've wondered the same thing

 

I am wondering the same thing as well. I wanted to put Falken Azenis on the stock sport wheels. I think they're 205/50/15.

 

Im sure the widest would be 205's. Only because of the offset. The rims are too sucked into the wells for tire clearance in the back (struts, inner wells)
215's will fit on the rims with sexy ballooning (tire bulge) off the rim but spacers will be needed.

Im just gussing here. I havent tested this.

 

they fit up front but not the rear. if you take off the rear rim youll notice a metal tab there.....witht the rim and oem tire in place (195/55-15) the clearance is EXTREMELY TIGHT! the fit does have a good amount of camber in the rear already.

the clearance between the actual sidewall of the tire and that lil tab were about fingernail thin.....so i didnt even chance and just bought new rims.

 

I did test... Yokohama Avid T4 ... 225X50R15 on my OEM sport mags.

That's right: 225!

They look wide, bulky and MEAN! No rubbing at the rear, light rubbing at the front. That rubbing was easily cured by "rolling" the edge of fender inwards. No specialysed tools, just bare hands.

No pics available. It is winter here now. If members want to see the result, I will take photos when spring is here.

 

Is your car lowered?

 

I tried Tanabe GF210. I had to remove the front set OF THE LOWERING SPRINGS AND PUT THE OEM SPRINGS BACK ON less than a week later! Too low and too bumpy... at least with these Big tires!

 

give us some pics of your set up

 

So they're still rubbing with STOCK height??

 

I'd like to see a pic of those GF210s on your fit if you took one. There is really no reason to go larger than a 195/50 if your staying in a 15.

 

No... they were rubbing in front only with the lowering springs.

And yes... there is no reason to go so wide! That's why I tried it! If you check with Yokohama's site, you'll see that the tire's specification "fit" our OEM Sport rims.
Bear in mind that since they are not only wider but higher tires, the odometre underestimate the millage by about 2%

 

Sure, Yokahama will tell you that they FIT your car. I would also if I was trying to sell you tires!

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. IMHO