Help me pick wheels for a car

NickD said:

I also like the looks of the silver Kosei K1s. They're a little cheaper than the Sparcos but a little heavier at 13.15lbs, still lighter than the Terras and the Compes

The K1 is my absolute favorite post-millenial wheel.  There is not a car I have ever seen that they look bad on.  Instant +3 Competence.  I vote for those.

My second choice would be the bronze FF1s.  The Terras look heavy even if they aren't much heavier than the Compes.

I like the Compes but I think the charcoal color is too dark.  I like some contrast with the rubber.

K1s.  Seriously.  DO EEEEEEET.

So, enquiring minds want to know, what's the current fave?

Huh, I would have gone with Miata 14" daisies.  Mom picked up a couple mpg on her Scion going from the stock 15s down to 14s and the tires were a lot easier to get and cheaper. 

I can't help but think, "do you really want our help with this?"  Kind of like asking the internet to name something. 

I guess most of us here are more responsible than that.  Except me! 

Sorry.

Scott

Got them on and installed yesterday. 15x7 Advanti Storm S1s in Good-Win Racing-exclusive bronze finish. P205/50ZR15 Continental ExtremeContactSport. They fit perfect, tires are just about flush with the fender edges. Car could stand to be a 1/2" lower from a cosmetic standpoint, but I'm not sure if I'll do that.

Oh, and I tossed on a TRD rear sway bar while I was at it. For the record, installation of a TRD rear sway bar on a Yaris is mind-bogglingly easy. Toyota says 10-minute install and they are not kidding.

In reply to NickD :

Not sure if it's true or not, but the rear sway is allegedly so easy to install because overseas models get them from the factory.  

In reply to kazoospec :

I wasn't sure what to expect because sway bar installs are kind of all over the board in terms of how complicated/time-consuming, and I know not to trust manufacturer time estimates. But then I read the instructions and realized they were serious. You remove the lower shock bolt nuts, tap one bolt in flush, hang the bar over the end of the other shock bolt, then knock the other bolt back in. Install two more bolts and nuts through holes that are already in the axle beam, reinstall the shock nuts, tighten everything.

Looks good! I didn't think I would like the bronze finish wheels but it looks nice!

How does it drive with sway bar?

In reply to Snrub :

I committed a cardinal sin by changing two things at once, so it's hard to tell what difference the sway bar made and what difference going from a 175-width snow tire to a 205-width summer tire made.

NickD said:

In reply to Snrub :

I committed a cardinal sin by changing two things at once, so it's hard to tell what difference the sway bar made and what difference going from a 175-width snow tire to a 205-width summer tire made.

I ended up doing them separately.  The sway bar was a small upgrade.  I didn't notice any huge change in overall handling, except that it really helped calm the squirreliness at highway speeds.  The tire upgrade basically was like any tire upgrade on any car: better braking, better cornering and another improvement in highway manners (with a slight hit to gas mileage).  Realistically, I still think the car needs a suspension upgrade to really handle well, but it's my commuter and our local roads majorly suck, so I've never bothered.  

In reply to kazoospec :

I've thought about getting a set of KYB GR2 shocks/struts off RockAuto and a set of the TRD lowering springs and then changing suspension in the spring/winter when I change wheels and tires. So far I've resisted.

Duke said:

So, enquiring minds want to know, what's the current fave?

 

Konig Dial in, 15x8, light, $140 ea.  I had these with 205 Conti ECS on my Saturn and they were great.

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-wheels/konig-dial-in/p/74412

In reply to Duke :

Agree on the Kosei K-1... loved them on my Tacoma:

This thread is pertinent as I'm about to pick up a Mk1 MR2 and looking at wheel options for the future. Its coming with the MK3 wheels on it, but not a fan of their looks with the Mk1 body style. Those Advanti wheels were interesting until I saw how the spokes meet the rim... not a fan of that. Thinking the FF-1s are the ticket due to combination of low weight and design, though I do think the K1 fits the style of the AW11 a little bit better.

Took it out to Pineview Run for a tire test (going to make a thread on that because, wow, it was weird) and got to run some hot laps on the Conti. It was surprisingly fast on track despite the 106hp engine, lack of an LSD and super nanny traction control.