My new car came with some pretty sad-looking 15" wheels. I'm looking to replace them (not necessarily immediately) and I'm wondering where to purchase bigger/better ones. I know the bolt configuration and offset of the ones that are on there.

The only place I know of is Sears and I don't like their selection. I want something like this (AZUL Geneva)
[img]http://www.1010tires.com//images/wheels/large/AZUL_GENEVA_GOLD_lg_enlarge.jpg[/img]
(hotlinking?)

I'm weary of ordering wheels online because I don't know what sites I can trust. Can anyone suggest someplace in Raleigh to purchase new wheels (and tires)? Will places buy the wheels I have on there (essentially new) kinda like a trade-in?

7/30/2007 11:31:38 AM

wow

7/30/2007 11:37:11 AM

ahaha

7/30/2007 11:42:32 AM

straight up nig

7/30/2007 12:10:13 PM

tirerack.com

bigger is not better though.

7/30/2007 1:08:34 PM

17" is not that much bigger than 15". I'm not concerned with the size so much as the appearance. Also, I've got one of those little spare tires. If I have bigger wheels, do I necessarily need a bigger spare?

7/30/2007 1:16:07 PM

those are ugly as shit

7/30/2007 1:17:58 PM

Tires-N-Parts on Dawson St. downtown. They have a website too, and sell nationally. Just a local suggestion.

Quote :

"17" is not that much bigger than 15". "

Visually, it's a BIG difference.

[Edited on July 30, 2007 at 1:26 PM. Reason : +]

7/30/2007 1:25:12 PM

and weightwise it will be a big difference. I assume 7" wide

7/30/2007 3:57:11 PM

i don't know how wide the existing wheels are. the AZULs are 7". Their site says their wheels are light weight but it doesn't quantify the claim.

7/30/2007 5:52:23 PM

What kind of car are these wheels going on?

7/30/2007 6:04:05 PM

oh, yeah.. 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt

not necessarily the above wheels. i just posted that as an example of something i found that i liked. suggestions are welcome.

[Edited on July 30, 2007 at 6:14 PM. Reason : n]

7/30/2007 6:14:03 PM

go with these:

or these

7/30/2007 7:16:20 PM

Quote :

"Their site says their wheels are light weight but it doesn't quantify the claim."

I consider light weight to be less than 12 to 14 lbs. Bet they're heavier than that. Nothing bigger than 16" for me...unless it's a truck. Anything bigger is a gross waste of money, IMHO.

7/30/2007 7:33:57 PM

colortyme

7/30/2007 7:37:22 PM

AHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHA...

Hold on...isn't somebody doing that whole "rent to own" wheels thing?

7/30/2007 7:39:02 PM

durrr

colortyme

7/30/2007 7:46:44 PM

ah whatever dudes.

7/30/2007 9:48:35 PM

http://www.merchantstire.com , theres a tire-rack run wheel selector on there.

7/30/2007 9:53:22 PM

colortyme ftw rent to own, better make your payments or that shit will be sittin on blocks

7/31/2007 11:30:20 AM

leave that poor cobalt alone...don't waste money on wheels. just accept that it's basic transportation, and leave it at that. how could you possibly think it's worthwhile to spend $1000+ for new wheels/tires on a Cobalt?

oh, and bigger wheels are gonna make it even slower and hurt your gas mileage.

7/31/2007 7:24:15 PM

if you want rims on a cheap car. buy the factory alloy option from someone used who had the grand idea that bronze rims looked good.

his loss, your gain.

7/31/2007 8:01:54 PM

I had to go to greensboro last week for a conference and I saw a sign for a wheel rental place that said that it was coming soon. the sign just said rental, not rent to own, but let's hope that's what it is. rent to own sounds better than plain old rental.

7/31/2007 11:10:28 PM

^^ and increase stopping distance

7/31/2007 11:11:21 PM

oh, increased stopping distance, that old chestnut!

7/31/2007 11:19:07 PM

Quote :

"and increase stopping distance"

Rim size should be the same and lighter than steel rims with hubcaps.

I compared both when i swapped mine out. It was DRASTIC.


but fuck you work at merchants

[Edited on August 1, 2007 at 8:31 AM. Reason : i just eat the heads off dead fish]

8/1/2007 8:31:03 AM

Quote :

"if you want rims on a cheap car. buy the factory alloy option from someone used who had the grand idea that bronze rims looked good. his loss, your gain."

I agree w/ this.

8/1/2007 10:05:14 AM