17 or 18 inch? Ride Quality vs Handling?

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GusinCA

Founding Member

Sep 5, 2002

170

1

18

Newport Beach

Jan 29, 2006

#1

• Jan 29, 2006

• #1

For the 2007 GT vert I plan on buying, should I get 17 or 18 inch wheels?
I have a 2000 GT vert.

1.) Will the 17s on the new car feel tighter (more planted) in turns than the 17s on the old car?
2.) The old size is 245/45, aren't the new tires less agressive?
3.) Will the ride be softer or similiar over rough freeways/roads?
4.) Do the 18s have far superior handling?
5.) Do the 18s make the ride a lot harsher or just a little?

Thanks for any advice...

 

2003gt

Member

Apr 27, 2003

290

0

16

Brandon, MS

Jan 29, 2006

#2

• Jan 29, 2006

• #2

i have 18x9 wheels.....aftermarket...and they ride perfectly fine !.....look nicer to...take more of the wheelwell gap out...

 

G

GusinCA

Founding Member

Sep 5, 2002

170

1

18

Newport Beach

Jan 29, 2006

#3

• Jan 29, 2006

• #3

Thanks,
I'd like to go 18s, but not if they ride rough. Of course they look better, but has anyone driven the two close together and made any observations?

 

dmaxstang

New Member

Jul 29, 2005

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0

dallas

Jan 30, 2006

#4

• Jan 30, 2006

• #4

Eighteen Shmaiteen

I bumped up to 20" on my 05GT with a set of 35 series Toyo rubber and the car handles amazing(no tire roll, and lots of grip). The ride is not a ton different than the stock rubber, just on backroads. The look is even better, but the one thing to think about is the bigger you go, the harder it is to stop the centrifical force. You're gonna need bigger brakes. Mine has 23k miles and needs a brake job so i'll be upgrading to cross drilled 14" Brembos. Just food for thought.

 

A

Ara

New Member

Apr 17, 2005

14

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0

Jan 30, 2006

#5

• Jan 30, 2006

• #5

Dont assume bigger wheels = better handling, maybe if the road were perfectly flat and perfect you would notice. Not to mention adding weight and rotational mass isnt the way to achieve better handling.

 

GOLDENPONY

Founding Member

Jan 23, 2002

1,503

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36

LOVELAND, OHIO

Jan 30, 2006

#6

• Jan 30, 2006

• #6

18" wheels

I have them on my '06 GT 'vert- ride and handling great.

 

RandyB

New Member

Feb 20, 2004

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Tx.

Jan 30, 2006

#7

• Jan 30, 2006

• #7

You just can't compare 18s on the new car vs 18s on the old ones. The new chassis and suspension is so much better that harshness is not a problem. I had the same concerns, and now I have 19x9/19x10 on mine and couldn't be much happier. There is a slight difference from the 17s, but not much.

 

V

vynle

New Member

Oct 24, 2005

39

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0

Jan 30, 2006

#8

• Jan 30, 2006

• #8

i still like the old school look, im not saying 17's are old school,(14's would be) but by lowering your car youll take the wheel well away also. id go 18's no bigger. now i just need to find tires with the white lettering on them, that say goodyear in bold raised lettering!!!!!!! vynle.

 

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I8URVTEC

New Member

Sep 2, 2004

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Jan 30, 2006

#9

• Jan 30, 2006

• #9

I would say go with the 18's but don't go bigger than that. I am going to be switching my 17s for 18s soon. Over 18" is when you start adding too much unsprung weight IMO.