17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
Mustang Nazi
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,444
From: Texas, baby
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
I had 18"s on my wife's GT and they looked great, handled well, but didn't lauch for sh*#. When I went to check out prices for new tires, I about had a heart attack. If $$ is no object go with the 18"s, if you want basically the same looks and handling, but alot less $$ for new tires, go with the 17"s.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 34
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
k, thx for you help, i went along with the 18s and some low profiles. looks great and is still a smooth ride, now my next project is getting new brakes or pads (not sure what its called, im still new) for a much cleaner look in between the rims, and i appreciated your posts 
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14,917
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
ORIGINAL: Leadfoot
Have you checked the price of replacement tires lately? If money is not a concern, then do what you want. If 17's run at least $132 each, I wonder what the cost of 18's are?
Have you checked the price of replacement tires lately? If money is not a concern, then do what you want. If 17's run at least $132 each, I wonder what the cost of 18's are?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 440
From: GA
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
ORIGINAL: Dan02GT
Odd because the place I get my tires at, the 18" tires were the same price as 17's, and in some instances were even cheaper.
ORIGINAL: Leadfoot
Have you checked the price of replacement tires lately? If money is not a concern, then do what you want. If 17's run at least $132 each, I wonder what the cost of 18's are?
Have you checked the price of replacement tires lately? If money is not a concern, then do what you want. If 17's run at least $132 each, I wonder what the cost of 18's are?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 242
From:
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
the only problem i see with my 18s is the space between the tire and car..thats why i was interested in lowering. My tires are low profile too, so im obviously not going racing with them or driving in the show at all, and even in the rain i do about 20 mph just to be safe ha
but in all seriousness, i think 18s are the way to go. not only for appearance..but the chicks love them [sm=smiley20.gif]
but in all seriousness, i think 18s are the way to go. not only for appearance..but the chicks love them [sm=smiley20.gif]
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 213
From:
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
I have Cobra style rims on my 2000 V6. I have 18X11's with 335-30's on back and 18X9's with 265-35's on front. Looks tough as boot leather and the gaps between the body and tires are the same as stock because the overall tire diameter is almost exactly the same. I will post pics ASAP.
One caveat - I would not be able to lower my car because of bottoming out on the rear tires, but that has nothing to do with 18 vs 17 size rims. It has everything to do with track width of the tire and width of the rim. If you were to put 17X10.5 rims out back with 315-35's, you would have trouble if you lowered your car. But if you put 18X9's with 265-35's all the way around, you could still lower your car 1.5-2". Check out this website to do some research on track widths and overall diameters. Both are important for different reasons.
lots of info here
My ride quality did not suffer much - the car feels more 'rigid' and it DEFINITELY hugs the road better. I would go for the 18's with a wider package out back.
One caveat - I would not be able to lower my car because of bottoming out on the rear tires, but that has nothing to do with 18 vs 17 size rims. It has everything to do with track width of the tire and width of the rim. If you were to put 17X10.5 rims out back with 315-35's, you would have trouble if you lowered your car. But if you put 18X9's with 265-35's all the way around, you could still lower your car 1.5-2". Check out this website to do some research on track widths and overall diameters. Both are important for different reasons.
lots of info here
My ride quality did not suffer much - the car feels more 'rigid' and it DEFINITELY hugs the road better. I would go for the 18's with a wider package out back.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 346
From:
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
ORIGINAL: 2000iav6
I have Cobra style rims on my 2000 V6. I have 18X11's with 335-30's on back and 18X9's with 265-35's on front. Looks tough as boot leather and the gaps between the body and tires are the same as stock because the overall tire diameter is almost exactly the same. I will post pics ASAP.
One caveat - I would not be able to lower my car because of bottoming out on the rear tires, but that has nothing to do with 18 vs 17 size rims. It has everything to do with track width of the tire and width of the rim. If you were to put 17X10.5 rims out back with 315-35's, you would have trouble if you lowered your car. But if you put 18X9's with 265-35's all the way around, you could still lower your car 1.5-2". Check out this website to do some research on track widths and overall diameters. Both are important for different reasons.
lots of info here
My ride quality did not suffer much - the car feels more 'rigid' and it DEFINITELY hugs the road better. I would go for the 18's with a wider package out back.
I have Cobra style rims on my 2000 V6. I have 18X11's with 335-30's on back and 18X9's with 265-35's on front. Looks tough as boot leather and the gaps between the body and tires are the same as stock because the overall tire diameter is almost exactly the same. I will post pics ASAP.
One caveat - I would not be able to lower my car because of bottoming out on the rear tires, but that has nothing to do with 18 vs 17 size rims. It has everything to do with track width of the tire and width of the rim. If you were to put 17X10.5 rims out back with 315-35's, you would have trouble if you lowered your car. But if you put 18X9's with 265-35's all the way around, you could still lower your car 1.5-2". Check out this website to do some research on track widths and overall diameters. Both are important for different reasons.
lots of info here
My ride quality did not suffer much - the car feels more 'rigid' and it DEFINITELY hugs the road better. I would go for the 18's with a wider package out back.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RE: 17 or 18 inch rims? need opinions
get the 17 inch rims they look sick plus my mach 1 looks amazing in its rims i keep them clean all the time. though the rims on the 2004 mustng gt looks amazing because their chrome and they are 17.5 inches so its up to you if you go with the chrome get 18 but if you donr go with chrome then get 17
