I've decided I definately need better wheels/tires. I want to make sure I do my research before spending so much money and in doing so I'm finding it hard to find certain information.

I read dexter's stickies.. from what I understand it is extremely important that I get the correct offsets and watch my unsprung weight (which will increase if I get heavy rims).

I have an 03 WRX and my priorities are
1) light weight (definately not heavier than stock)
2) looks good (I like the advan model 5's)
3) within budget (around $2500 for wheels and tires)

Also, it seems that I shouldn't go any larger than 17" if I dont want to sacrifice performance is this true? And how wide should I go.. I assume the wider the better (so long as weight isn't an issue) so the limiting factor is what will the wrx fit?

My first impressions while shopping are that I like the advan model 5's and michelin ps2's 17x8. but I have no idea what the combination weighs in at and I'm not about to make an uninformed $2500 purchase

 

oh.. and I live in CA and I don't drive in the snow. Most of my driving is on the freeway with the occasional canyon road on the weekends.

 

The most common application for the Japanese projects seem to be 17x7.5 w/ 45-48mm offset. I would advise you to look at Volk Wheels also, particularly their TE-37 and CE-28N models (but all others in general). Gram Lights are very viable alternatives as well, and are slightly more economical (though I doubt that's much of a problem due to your enviable budget ). Black Racing makes good products as well. SSR's are good as well. And of course, Advan produces excellent wheels as well.
As for your tires, why Michelins? Just curious. Why not go for Pirelli P-Zero's, Bridgestone Potenza RE-01's, or Advan Neovas to match your wheels (wait are Neovas available here in the States?). Anyhow, best of luck on your purchase. Be sure to post pics in the Gallery when you're through.

 

Thanks for your comments. I'll go with 17x7.5, I have an email out to gruppe-s if he can give me the weight for those advans that I like (hopefully they are light). After reading up I'm really set on trying to get the lightest wheels I can find.

For the tires I was looking at the ps2's mainly because they are the lightest I've seen and dexter said some good things about them in another thread. (I'm all about the super lightweight wheel/tire combo).. good looks are lower priority then the weight, but it seems as though most online stores only mention the weight if its a selling point. Like with the SSR's they mention the 17" are only 12lbs.. but people say great things about the advans as well but I can not find a weight metric on the net.

 

My 17" SSR's w/225-45 HTRzII's(great overall tire, but LOUD) weighed quite a bit less than the stock 16's and RE-92's.
I don't know how much because I didn't weigh them, but while swapping them as soon as I picked up both it was clear that the stockers were heavier by a couple pounds each.

 

I myself am highly partial to the Volk TE-37's They're also very lightweight, though I don't happen to have the measurements on me right now. Either way though, congrats on the purchase

 

I haven't bought anything yet.. and I'm actually leaning towards SSRs at this point as they're lighter (by a huge margin) than anything else I can find.

 

SSR Competitions by any chance?

 

actually I'm looking at these tomorrow..
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...threadid=32345