How important can Rims and Tires Be?

[civicnation06]

Interesting question?

I'm a newbie to this forum, but not to the customizing scene. In fact, my 2006 Civic will be the 4th car I've owned to under go customization. The others include an '89 Isuzu P/U, '95 Nissan P/U, and a 1999 Civic.

I see a ton of people on here asking for opinions on rims and tires. What looks good? These or those? If this sounds like you, let me say this, it is "THE" most important decision you'll make when it comes to how your car will look and the personality you give it.

For those who want to argue, I will give you two quick examples and rest my case.

#1 Guy in my area has 96 Eclipse silver, body kit, lowered, exhaust and matching 18" silver rims with low profile tires. The car looks amazing and clean. Later, he decides perfect is not good enough, changes the wheels with some 16" black rims (no silver lip, so you can't see where the rim ends and tire begins) and fatter tires. Now it looks like it belongs on a dirt track racing against Bubba and Scooter. (no offence to Bubba and Scooter)

#2 Guy in my area has '01 S-10, custom metallic green paint job with silver flames, slammed to the ground (almost), clean interior, sound system, chrome exhaust & .....................factory rim and tires. Are you kidding me?

I've always been of the opinion that the rims and tires should be the first mod you make to your car. Everything after that, will only help to compliment the car.

Take you time, ask questions & choose wisely.

Oh, and don't be a prick when someone is asking for opinions. I hate that!

[Izzy]

Actually, more importantly, they shave off unsprung weight with lighter wheels...affecting your suspension and braking in positive ways.

[J-Ro]

Actually, example #2 is fairly close to home... there's a guy who works at an audio shop I pass all the time on my way to/from work. He's got a 2001/2002-ish Ford Focus in silver, riced to the nines (including mirrored windows halfway up...ugh) and.... you guessed it.... factory rims. And they're Ford rims, quite possibly the ugliest ones in the industry.
Rims are definitely a matter of personal taste, but I feel like saying to him, jesus, do something with your wheels!

J

[NoBottleJustThrottle]

I wouldnt say its THE most important decision, but its up there. I more get wheels and tires for the added braking power, and handling.
What looks good to you, might look like crap to someone else. Let people mod their car the way they want. Everyone is going to do things differently...why? Because there is no cut and dry way to mod a car. For instance, I know people that need more power right from the start. Me, I wouldnt be cought dead adding more power without doing my suspension first. But thats me.
You say it the most important thing when giving your car a personality. I think more than wheels its other exterior mods. You could be running a DC2R with Mugen MF10 wheels, and have a huge aluminum wing, and a ram air intake poking out of your hood with neon under your car. I dont care how nice the car and wheels are, you are a ricer! I think those other mods say more about your car than just the wheels.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by NoBottleJustThrottle

I wouldnt say its THE most important decision, but its up there. I more get wheels and tires for the added braking power, and handling. What looks good to you, might look like crap to someone else. Let people mod their car the way they want. Everyone is going to do things differently...why? Because there is no cut and dry way to mod a car. For instance, I know people that need more power right from the start. Me, I wouldnt be cought dead adding more power without doing my suspension first. But thats me.
You say it the most important thing when giving your car a personality. I think more than wheels its other exterior mods. You could be running a DC2R with Mugen MF10 wheels, and have a huge aluminum wing, and a ram air intake poking out of your hood with neon under your car. I dont care how nice the car and wheels are, you are a ricer! I think those other mods say more about your car than just the wheels.

+1 on everything said here. While a decent set of rims can make even a Geo Metro look ok (no, seriously, there's one here), I wouldn't go so far as to say they're the MOST important. The key to a good, clean ride is balance. Not just the rims. But the paint. Not just the paint, but the lip or body kit or what have you. I don't get into extensive body modifications or the really wild stuff, but the principle is the same regardless if you're Jeff Laub or Cheesefrog:

If something looks out of place, EVERYTHING looks out of place.

Wheels are only one part of the entire equation...

[civicnation06]

All good points. Someone should take a poll and see what is the first mod you did or want to do to your new Civic.