Tires or suspension?

[RGM]

What is best to do first. TRD springs and strut brace, or a set of wheels and good rubber? The first option is a lot less expensive than the second. Can I expect reasonable performance with the stock 15 inch 195 R60 tires with a suspension upgrade.

[VZV21]

Tires & rubbers. 16" or 17"

[RGM]

I was thinking 215 45R on 17 inch rims.

[VZV21]

That's fine. That is the size Toyota uses for the TRD package wheels.

[T-Rock]

Personally, I would go with rims and tires. That's the first major change I did to my car. Got some 17" rims and Falken tires. Taking a corner is so much more fun :D Now to get some struts, springs and rear sway bar...

[00 scrub]

why not just get tires and some small suspenions upgrades? You don't really need the larger rims for performance.

[scapamouche]

What are you after?

Handling or looks?

If the former, then 15 or 16" wheels and GOOD tires, then, later, get the suspension stuff. Examples include my favorite, the Falken Azenis, or BFG Gforce KD TAs or Bridgestone PP S-03s. Or for longer lasting tires, look at Kumho 712s or Sumitomo HRT IIs. The S-03s supposedly have really good treadwear, too, but I have no direct experience. The Falkens, Kumhos and Sumitomos are cheap.

For suspension, low speed: rear swaybar. Ocerall balance, front and rear swaybars, front Cusco lower brace and real coilovers (not GCs!!)

Looks- 17" wheels and Paradas (NOT good tires)

Them's my opinions, anyway. My car is pretty quick on the autocross course, though...... :D
Please note: all of the above tires SUCK in the ice and snow. This is probably moot, but you'll want snow tires, too, for the coler times....

[RGM]

Thanks for your input. I have just started back into sports cars after the normal mini-van and raising a family period of life. Things have really changed. I owned MGs and had numerous friends with Triumphs and Austin Healys. I thought that when I came back, British cars with SU or Weber down draught carbs would still be around. I must admit that the current cars are great except for the fact that it is not as easy to work on the engines, computer chips, etc. I guess what I am looking for is decent handling, which means my stock wheels and better tires, and a more aggressive look which means TRD springs to lower the car. The sway bars, struts, and strut braces could come later if I started to auto cross.