18" or 17"
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Warsaw, Indiana
Car Info: 02 WRX Wagon White
You won't run into problems unless you get a wheel of incorrect specifications. I've had 225/40s on my wagon and they worked great. I did, however, sell them and go to 17s to save weight.
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From: Under your bed, in your closet, and in your head
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I'd recommend 17's unless you circuit race alot and have a proper suspension setup to maximize performance with 18's. 17's are easier to maintain on the streets, too, plus they save weight.
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From: Knoxville, Tennessee
Car Info: 2004 WRX in WR Blue
Lots of high performance cars have 18's so no problem there. Just dont go into the 19 and 20 inch range. you will see problems there. 18's are more for show, but then I guess 16's are more for go and 17's are more for show. Get yourself some 18's, you will be a happy man.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Cleveland, OH
Car Info: 02wrx wrb COBB stage II, 93 Nissan Z, 98 Honda Prelude SH, blah, blah, blah who cares
If you are concerned with accleration I wouldn't get 18's. Regardless of the weight factor which does matter. And for those of you with 18" SSR comps guess what the 17's are still lighter. Going to 18's your are actually changing your final drive ratio. You might see a higher top speed, but will see slower acceleration times. With the wrx top speed is not a factor anyway since it's top speed is parasite drag limited. Those of you that disbelieve me take your car to a track and compare the difference by making runs with 18's and 17's with the same tires. I promise you will see the difference. And for those of you who say phooey, that some performance cars come with 18's your right. However, they were designed with 18's in mind. These cars such as Corvette, Viper, some Porches, Ferrari, Lamborghini have enough power they require a wider footprint for traction. Not so much with an all-wheel drive car. Show me an under 450hp all-wheel drive car that comes standard with 18's.
I think someone else said it best. 18's are show and 17's are more for go. If you go with 18's you won't even be able to take advantage of a wider tire anyway. You can get 17 x 8's to barely fit, and you can't go any wider than 8 inches period (without rubbing). Why spend the extra money and take the performance penalty.
If your goal is looks and you don't mind a slight decrease in acceleration then go with 18's. If you don't mind the occasional rub or scrape and like the look of 18's then get 'em. Otherwise, I would stick with 17's.
My $.02
I think someone else said it best. 18's are show and 17's are more for go. If you go with 18's you won't even be able to take advantage of a wider tire anyway. You can get 17 x 8's to barely fit, and you can't go any wider than 8 inches period (without rubbing). Why spend the extra money and take the performance penalty.
If your goal is looks and you don't mind a slight decrease in acceleration then go with 18's. If you don't mind the occasional rub or scrape and like the look of 18's then get 'em. Otherwise, I would stick with 17's.
My $.02
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wow man thanks for the input it is relly help full..... i think i am going to go with 18's because i relly do not do the drag or street raceing thing . not into crashing my car or geting a ticket if u know what i meen. i paid alot of money for my car 24,000 i now it is not alot for some of u but it is to me ! one more thing will 225/40/18 rub with a 1.5" drop?