dilemma on wheels

[LiU]

being a college student I'd like to maximize my dollar/satisfaction value I spend on my car... with this in mind, take a look at what I have to say:

Already got some basic bolt on parts and cams and suspension and brake stuff... looking to get better tires/rims as my tires right now are wearing out. My car is 4x114.3 bolt pattern.

I was looking at some 16x7 40+ offset rota slipstreams @ $500 shipped... I know the offset is kinda high for a 7 inch wide rim, but I did the wheel offset calculator thing and it should clear my AGXs fine. And according to the calculator, it wil extend outwards 13 mm... so it should fill up the gap better than what I ahve on right now. The colors I'm considering are bronze, black, gunmetal.

But then, after some more convincing I'm looking at the 5zigen fn01rcs in 17x7 +35 offset, which will give better clearance in case I decide to get coilovers later on... but the cheapest price I've seen is $170/wheel at hopupracing.com + shipping. The only colors available in this is silver, hypersilver, and bronze.

I know the 5zigen's offset is much better, but ppl just seem to really hate on rotas just for the fact it's been a mostly honda oriented brand... so far I've only seen a few isolated incidents of rotas crapping out.. I dunno if I should go the Nissan route and shell out the extra $250 or so for the 5zigens or just settle for the rotas.

BTW, I personally love bronze on a red car.. but I don't really want the extra attention it attracts... and I think 17s are a bit too big, it leaves all that extra space between the spokes for my stock sized rotors.

[Holisticbeatz]

17x7 +35 is too small for a S14..

Get FN01R-C's in a 17x9 +15 and stretch some tires on 'em. That'll be PIMP..

I have 17x9 +14 on my S14.

[LiU]

I don't think the +15 comes in 4x114.3 pattern. Why do you want it too big so wide? It's not like I'm putting down alot of power...

[SmithSR]

Wouldn't matter if you were anyways.. what you need are 16x7" and sticky tires.

If cash is tight, then that's a problem because tires are a wear item and a performance investment. You should start to consider your traction the most important part of your car, since it's the only contact you have with the road.

Don't get lavish wheels that attract attention. Stay small, which will also keep costs lower. Tires will be more affordable too. This means you can expect to pay relatively less money for a better gripping tire. That would be a win-win scenario.

[LiU]

that's exactly what I was looking for.. that was why I had my mind set on the 16x7 rotas... but you wouldn't believe how many ppl tried to turn me away from them, claiming they're way too narrow.. yes, these ppl are die hard nissan fans. I know on the rotas the offset is high, but that's somn I have to give up with less $.

[whiterps13]

you also have to think about weight. if performance is an issue remember that an extra pound on your wheel is equivelant to an extra 5 pounds in your car due to rotating mass.

[LiU]

I know.. the rotas and 5zigens are both very light weight and quality wheels...

[rico05]

Being the samw situation as you (college student with little money) I just did Manaray VS12s 15x6.5 with Falken Azenis 205/50/15 Wheels cost me $400, tires $360. Lots of grip for my stock KA. After I do my CA swap, I will need more tread patch...

So, if you are planning just bolt ons to your KA, I say on anything bigger than 16x7, you're spending too much and getting no more of an increase in grip or handling. Get smaller wheels and better tires.

[whiterps13]

After I do my CA swap, I will need more tread patch..

a wider tire doesnt mean more grip. search, there are many threads about this.

[rico05]

No body gets my jokes...I am so misunderstood. I guess inflection dosen't translate well into typed words...

[s13sr20chris]

ah hah, i get it. its just so common for folks to assume wider = more rubber on the road(i used to believe it myself). i was just looking at a back issue of scc and saw that the ziel/jic s13 used 17/9 +45 wheels up front with a 40mm spacer and 225/40r17 tires. they used 17/10 +41 out back with a 15mm spacer and 285/40r17 tires. anyone care to comment on that particular arrangement? it is a drift competition car so that explains some of it.