PLEASE VOTE ABOVE
it'll only take a second...

Time for new tires. No need to tell me which ones I should get, I've got a decent idea. Here's my dilemma...

1) I have the opportunity to purchase some Flat Black 7-Spoke 17" Rota SDX's. They come with Khumo ASX 215/45/17 with about half life left on the tread. A little curbage on two f the rims.
Pros: 17x7.5 give me better traction in the snow when I go to Tahoe. Tires are cheaper to replace. Some would argue 18's look to big on a WRX. Less road noise and softer ride. Lighter wheel equals faster acceleration and breaking. I like the flat black with the red pin stripe look.

2) I'm currently running Polished Black 6-spoke 18" RSL's. I was going to put a new set of Falken Ziex 225/40/18 rubbers on them.
Pros: I like the way the 18's fill the wheels well. Better performance traction, such as cornering and dirt track. Longer running circumference can give better gas mileage at highway cruising.

Both options will run me right around $500. Thanks to the romantic weekend I have planned for my little lady friend next week, I can currently only afford to do one or the other.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for your help!

These are my current wheels...



These are some examples I found of the Rotas I would be picking up...

 

Let your inner wheel ***** out, I know it is there, and get a different set of wheels.

 

I think the flat black would look pretty clean... that way you have 2 sets of wheels

 

It's true. That dirty dirty wheel ***** is making a serious racket. I'm probably more just in need of some bad influence from my fellow soobs. Two sets of wheels you say? Now she's downright moaning.

Was that too far?

Keep those votes coming...

 

No more chrome lip...

 

Alright, I'm going to try and go for the 17 flat blacks. The guy is asking for 50 bucks more than he was orignally. $550 for four rotas and half life tires still sounds pretty good to me, no?

 

crap! I just double checked with the guy and he corrected his initial statement for the offset. He thought they were 48's, but now he says they are 42's. My understanding is that would be a bit low for a 7.5" wide tire on a WRX. Has anyone riden on 7.5 42's successfully?

 

Thats gonna be fine dude. Think of all the flush guys running +20 to +30. 42 shouldn't be a problem.

 

+1 its only a difference of 6mm... you probably won't even noticed a difference at all

 

I am jealous of your dirtbike trailer. I want one.

 

If you want something specifically for tahoe trips and you have storage space, pick up a set of cheap oem rims with decent tires (which you can paint anyway you like) and then run the 18's during the summer. That what I do, the only hassle is swapping wheels twice a year...

 

go with the flat black itll look cleaner imo

 

flat black is being used more and more every day.... i would say do the 18's for DD and Rotas for mountain cruisin with a good tire.