What advantage does 17" wheels have over 16"?
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What advantage does 17" wheels have over 16"?
Hello,
I have a 2002 Legacy GT wagon. I was thinking of upgrading to 17" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE950 tires. What effect will the 17" wheels have? Will they improve handling? If so, how? Is it worth the upgrade? My husband and I both have a GT wagon, his silver and mine titanium, and I was looking to change the look and improve handling, not that it doesn't handle great already!
It's either this option or trade-in my GT for a 2003 WRX wagon. We drove one last weekend and the main difference I feel is handling on curvy roads. I believe this is due to the Impreza's shorter wheelbase. The turbo engine was nice and I love the seats and steering wheel too. I know my GT will not be an Impeza with the 17" wheels, but will it feel sportier? I like the low end power of the GT compared to the WRX and I like the increased legroom in the back seats. I have a 2 1/2 year-old girl and another girl due in September. We are a tall family and I do not want their legroom sacraficed for my sports car itch.
Please tell me the differences between 16" and 17" wheels on these cars and your opinion of the WRX over the Legacy GT.
Thank you!
I have a 2002 Legacy GT wagon. I was thinking of upgrading to 17" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE950 tires. What effect will the 17" wheels have? Will they improve handling? If so, how? Is it worth the upgrade? My husband and I both have a GT wagon, his silver and mine titanium, and I was looking to change the look and improve handling, not that it doesn't handle great already!
It's either this option or trade-in my GT for a 2003 WRX wagon. We drove one last weekend and the main difference I feel is handling on curvy roads. I believe this is due to the Impreza's shorter wheelbase. The turbo engine was nice and I love the seats and steering wheel too. I know my GT will not be an Impeza with the 17" wheels, but will it feel sportier? I like the low end power of the GT compared to the WRX and I like the increased legroom in the back seats. I have a 2 1/2 year-old girl and another girl due in September. We are a tall family and I do not want their legroom sacraficed for my sports car itch.
Please tell me the differences between 16" and 17" wheels on these cars and your opinion of the WRX over the Legacy GT.
Thank you!
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Why not get the WRX with 17" rims??? Got mine in January and love it-also got "upgraded" tires. To answer your question: taller rims equals shorter tire sidewalls so you get less sidewall flex and hopefully better handling. Be aware that with the handling improvement the ride will be harsher/firmer and may or may not be a good compromise for you. Good luck!!!
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don't buy wheels, springs-bars-tires
I think you would be disappointed with the WRX wagon's room. It is good for an active single guy/gal but cramped for a family. But since you have TWO Legacy wagons, maybe you should get a WRX.
The number 1 difference between WRX and Legacy wagons that has an impact on handling is weight, which you can't do anything about. #2 would be spring rates. If you are seriously unhappy with your Legacy's handling, instead of buying 17" wheels, try a set of firmer springs and a slightly thicker rear sway bar. I can't tell for sure but many parts of the Legacy and Impreza lines are interchangeable, you maybe able to use the WRX sedan bar on you Legacy, check with a good shop like Exeter Subaru first.
17" wheels will allow you to fit a set of lower profile tires. If you already have a set of high performance tires, simply changing to a set of larger wheels will not impart a dramatic improvment. On Legacy GT, the tires are 55 series already, going to 45 series would not make that much of a difference. Also 17" wheels are gerenally heavier than the 16" you have, that would place more burden on an already under powered car. If you are still using OE tires, I would recommend you to buy a set of high performance touring tires from Michilin or Continental, then consider the springs and sway bars.
The number 1 difference between WRX and Legacy wagons that has an impact on handling is weight, which you can't do anything about. #2 would be spring rates. If you are seriously unhappy with your Legacy's handling, instead of buying 17" wheels, try a set of firmer springs and a slightly thicker rear sway bar. I can't tell for sure but many parts of the Legacy and Impreza lines are interchangeable, you maybe able to use the WRX sedan bar on you Legacy, check with a good shop like Exeter Subaru first.
17" wheels will allow you to fit a set of lower profile tires. If you already have a set of high performance tires, simply changing to a set of larger wheels will not impart a dramatic improvment. On Legacy GT, the tires are 55 series already, going to 45 series would not make that much of a difference. Also 17" wheels are gerenally heavier than the 16" you have, that would place more burden on an already under powered car. If you are still using OE tires, I would recommend you to buy a set of high performance touring tires from Michilin or Continental, then consider the springs and sway bars.
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answers
Hello,
To answer your questions, I upgraded my rear sway bar to 20mm and love it! That 13mm was a joke! As a result my GT wagon has no sway or lean on fast turn-ins. A must upgrade. Also, I am using Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on my stock 16-inch wheels now. The itch for 17" wheels comes from test-driving a 2003 Aspen White WRX wagon last weekend and thinking of the $6,000 loss I would get, even below invoice and Good trade-in value. I figure the wheels and tires I want, http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/wheels.html ,would give my car a unique look over my husband's car and all the 2003 Legacy L's that now have the GT wheels, plus it may improve handling. I like a lot of road feel so that is not a problem for me! But if I did get the WRX I would insist on the same wheels in a smoke color and new tires also, so add $1,200 to the loss. Yikes! I had Impreza’s for 5 years before I traded my husbands Outback in last year for my GT wagon, and I can never get over their fun personality and toss ability is corners. Even with my upgrades and the immense improvement of handling over an Outback, my GT wagon will never be as fun as an Impreza.
Heather
To answer your questions, I upgraded my rear sway bar to 20mm and love it! That 13mm was a joke! As a result my GT wagon has no sway or lean on fast turn-ins. A must upgrade. Also, I am using Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on my stock 16-inch wheels now. The itch for 17" wheels comes from test-driving a 2003 Aspen White WRX wagon last weekend and thinking of the $6,000 loss I would get, even below invoice and Good trade-in value. I figure the wheels and tires I want, http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/wheels.html ,would give my car a unique look over my husband's car and all the 2003 Legacy L's that now have the GT wheels, plus it may improve handling. I like a lot of road feel so that is not a problem for me! But if I did get the WRX I would insist on the same wheels in a smoke color and new tires also, so add $1,200 to the loss. Yikes! I had Impreza’s for 5 years before I traded my husbands Outback in last year for my GT wagon, and I can never get over their fun personality and toss ability is corners. Even with my upgrades and the immense improvement of handling over an Outback, my GT wagon will never be as fun as an Impreza.
Heather
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