Your opinions on 17" or 18"? cant decide, arrrrghh

[kabal57]

Man it seems like every day I change my mind on what size wheels I want to get. I want the 18" but I hear they can be too much of a drag on the gts.. so I think ok 17", then want 18" again.. DOH!
anyway, does anyone know how to calculate plus sizes, or a website where I can calculate plus sizes?
also, just incase someone knows offhand, is there a 18" wheel tire size that I can get that will equal about the same wheel/tire size as the stock 16"?
THANKS

[caz]

check http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html :D

[chameleon]

If you go with a 225/35-18 tire you will still be at the same size as you were stock. But a 225/35 profile is really small, there isn't really much side wall to protect the rim.

[kabal57]

so, assuming I find a 225/35 18 that for example weighs exactly the same as the stock wheel (I know that's not gonna happen) I would lose close to nothing as far as acceleration and braking, as long as the plus sizes and weight are kept similar to what I have stock?
Oh ya, almost forgot something else, the stock 16' is 7" wide right?
how wide would the 225/35 18 be?
are they available in 7" sizes? or would I most likely have to go with 7.5 or 8"?
thanks for your help guys, sorry for being a noob while i figure this out
Oh ya and while we're at it, one last thing i promise :)
What is the offset of the stock 16", and what is the maximum/minimum offset I can get on a new set of wheels without causing any problems?

[NoCones]

yes, assuming you can keep the overall wheel/tire weight the same, you won't notice the difference (except in the kidneys on rough roads).

how wide would the the 225/35R18 be? well, 225mm. you won't have any problem getting that width on an 18" wheel, which will likely be at least 7.5" wide.

the OEM 16's are 6.5" wide and have an offset of 39mm.

ideally, you should stay close to stock offset. with a wider wheel, you really don't want larger offset...too much risk of rubbing the inside of the tire/wheel. if you start talking 8" rim, you probably want a smaller offset.

[chameleon]

kabal57, Volk TE37 18 x 7.5" wheels weigh 17lbs each, which is actually 1.5 lbs LESS than the stock 16" wheels.

http://www.mackinindustries.com/graphics/te37.jpg

[Impulse]

35mm offset with 7.5" wide 18's is perfect.

[baNanA_ryCe]

omg..but how much are they? LoL

[kabal57]

sweet deal,
thanks for your imput guys. :D
I feel much better about getting 18" now woot!
I think It's either gonna be volks or racing harts, those seem to be the lightest of the ones I like.
anyone know any good sites to snag a set?

[chameleon]

Here is a site that carries the wheels you want at a pretty reasonable price. I don't know it it is the cheapest you can find them, but it is a good starting point.

http://www.shopresponse.com/wheels.html


baNanA_ryCe, you have a point there, Volks are definately not cheap. The site that I posted lists the 18" TE37's for $511 each wheel. But the good thing about the high price is that it keeps the masses away from them and they get a lot of respect from most peeps.