'07 LX Tire and Rim dilemma in GTA

[nofx]

I have never purchased aftermarket rims or tires, so please bear with me. I live in Toronto, Canada, but often drive up north for winter activities.

Option A)
Winter:
Take off stock '07 LX 16" alloys including tires
Put on new 15" steelies with new winter tires
Rest of season:
Put OEM rims and tires back on

Cost: $650

Option B)
Winter:
Leave stock rims on, put on new winter tires
Rest of season:
Find 16" alloys and put OEM tires on

Cost: $450 for winter tires. New rims? (no idea!)

Option C)
Winter:
Leave stock rims on, put on new winter tires
Rest of season:
Find 17" alloys, sell OEM tires, and find new tires

Cost: $450 for winter tires. New 17" rims and tires? (no idea!)

Option D)
Winter:
Leave stock rims on, put on new winter tires
Rest of season:
Swap OEM tires back on

Cost: $450 for winter tires. Cost on resell of car (salt and grim on alloys [even if I keep them clear/clean]) (no idea!)

Was hoping for your feedback, but the problem is I don't care much for spending a lot of money on big alloys and performance tires. The most important things to me: 1) Long term cost (including all factors) 2) Winter and summer safety and some performance (i.e. OEM's probably good enough for my summer driving) 3) Preferrably light weight per gas mileage 4) Shouldn't look any worse than my OEM alloys in the summer 5) not voiding my warranty and retaining high resell. I plan on keeping this Civic for at least five years.

Thanks!

[P4rD0nM3]

Have you decided on what rim you want and what kind of 'performance' *ahem* tire you want?

[DumbasSi]

Originally Posted by nofx

I don't care much for spending a lot of money on big alloys and performance tires.

Then I would just put winter tires are the stock OEM alloy wheels. Keep them clean and give them a good coat of wax before winter hits and they should remain corrosion free.

You could always pick up a set of 17" OEM wheels (Si) or another set of 16" OEM wheels (RSX) next summer for cheap if you want something that looks a bit better then your alloys.

[DNieves]

I know it'd be ugly but how about four new winter tires on four used rims (with used Honda hubcaps)? Hubcaps are cheap (you can clean them indoors & spray paint them if they get scratched with a can of Krylon silver). It's only just a few months while your alloys + OEM tires are perfectly safe and corrosion free.

[DooD]

since you don't want to spend big on good stuff....i would go with this option:

Option A)
Winter:
Take off stock '07 LX 16" alloys including tires
Put on new 15" steelies with new winter tires
Rest of season:
Put OEM rims and tires back on

[nofx]

Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3

Have you decided on what rim you want and what kind of 'performance' *ahem* tire you want?

The OEM rims and tires are probably good enough for me. I want an something that handles well overall and is good in the rain. Since I will have good winter tires, I don't care about all season/winter performance. I have no idea where to start with rims because most of the aftermarket ones I see on Civic's just don't fit unless they are really expensive ones say 17"+. I do like the OEM's and definitely the new SI rims.

Cheers.

[nofx]

Originally Posted by DumbasSi

Then I would just put winter tires are the stock OEM alloy wheels. Keep them clean and give them a good coat of wax before winter hits and they should remain corrosion free.

You could always pick up a set of 17" OEM wheels (Si) or another set of 16" OEM wheels (RSX) next summer for cheap if you want something that looks a bit better then your alloys.

What kind of wax would I use for the tires and would this protect them from the salt and such? Do alloys get clogged up with snow easier, or?

How much would I be looking for rims that you suggest? (I like the idea btw).

Thanks.

[DumbasSi]

Just keep the alloys clean and use the same wax that you use on the rest of the car. I'm sure some company might make actual wheel wax too.

I've seen and I sold a set of Si wheels for around $500-$700 with tires. 16" RSX Type-S wheels can be had for around $500 with tires.

[articsilber323]

if you like your oem wheels i would go with this option


Option D)
Winter:
Leave stock rims on, put on new winter tires
Rest of season:
Swap OEM tires back on