Can't Afford Winter Rims

'02 GTS, 6-speed.

Confirmed that my car has Yoko Advan A-680's and the stock rims look beautiful to me. I live in Canada and winters can be moderate to severe. I will certainly put on dedicated snow tires but I don't think I can afford 4 replacement rims this winter (next one for sure).

Any suggestions (care, cleaning) on how to get through the winter on stock wheels without too much damage? I park in a garage at night. Snow and salt isn't too bad out here in London, Ontario. A Toyota serviceman suggested waxing the rims. Is this feasible? Can I damage the rims this way?

Thanks.

[Phil C]

Waxing the rims will help to keep them from corroding if they get caked on salt or road grime and should not hurt them in any way.

I think when you end up looking at it you'd find that getting a second set of rims will end up being cheaper within just a year or so. NOTE: Using US$. Unless you have the equipment to do it yourself I know that around here the best price for mounting tires is about $12 each, so figure $50+ after tax in the fall and again in the spring. Each year you are spending at LEAST $100 mounting the snows and taking them back off. On top of that you've got to deal with the hassel of going along with every other person in the province to get their tires mounted the first snow day and the probability that the grease monkey will scratch up your rims. Two years ago when I bought my snows TireRack had 16" factory take-offs for $75 each. On the other hand given that it is winter and they car will probably be pretty dirty anyways why not go with 15" steelies for under $40 each, you'd probably save a few bucks on the tires too if you went with a 15" size.

PhilC:

So I take it you are saying I can put on 15" tires/wheels? Would that be 205/50/r15 then instead of 205/50/16?

Thanks.
btw, I will look into inexpensive rims.

[Karim]

nope 205/55/15 or 195/60/15, smaller rims will require a taller tire.

Karim

[gts24]

Hey man,

here's what you need to do,

Simply order a steel wheel with winter tires mounted on them from www.tirerack.com

these guys will give you the best price and seriously, getting a wheel/tire package will BE CHEAPER than getting Blizzaks in 205-50-16 for your stock rims.

Trust me, I live in MN, you guys send us all the snow when you are done with it ;)

post more questions if you have them.

thanks gts24. I will post questions as I have em.

[Jeff]

Buy 4 steelies (15") ... its less than 200$ CAD.
Then wrap 195/60-15 rubber on them ...

Forget the wheel caps too ...

Its what I been doing for years. On the long run, it is the cheaper way to do.

[FreeBird]

Originally posted by Jeff
Buy 4 steelies (15") ... its less than 200$ CAD.
Then wrap 195/60-15 rubber on them ...

Forget the wheel caps too ...

Its what I been doing for years. On the long run, it is the cheaper way to do.

On stock 16" gts rims/tires: If I get Eibach sportlines with no camber kit (just alignment) and want to put on 195/60-15 steel wheels and 15" tires for winter, will I have any special concerns regarding my springs other than an alignment when the winter 15" wheels and tires are put on?