1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

enjoyment vs. performance vs. cost

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by deltron3030, Dec 27, 2009.

  1. deltron3030

    deltron3030 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    437
    64
    0
    Location:
    Lakewood, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    ok so i've had my 18" wheels for long enough to know what they're doing for me and not doing for me. theres a dilemma that comes up, less with other car owners, but heavily with prius owners.....

    is it worth it?

    pros
    I love the look of the 18"s,
    I love the handling of the 18"s
    they werent all that expensive (under $800 with tires)

    cons
    subracted 5 MPG average
    they cost more than keeping the stock wheels
    they're heavier, so you definitely feel the sluggish get-up-and-go as well as the slow-down-and-stop.


    going from 48mpg average to 43mpg is big and you can feel it. BUT, the reality is that it only translates to this:
    the heavier 18" wheels cost an extra 3 tanks per year...under $90.

    i like em, but i do not know if im going to keep em. any zip the prius had before these is gone and you have to make up for it by flooring it.

    lighter wheels/tires would definitely eliminate any issues i may have with up sizing my wheels, however the cost (factoring in MPG savings per year) still far outweighs what i paid for the heavier set and only catches up after 5/6 years of use....lots to think about.

    just thinking aloud.

    pics soon
     
    #1 deltron3030, Dec 27, 2009
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to my world for the last 2yrs. lol

    My 17's cost me under $100/yr to run and I have the same pros/cons list as you.

    I can never make up my mind so I swap back and forth. I am never able to hold 50+mpg solid with the 17s and that bugs me so I swap back to the 15s so I can stay over 50mpg (in warmer temps).

    I think once I find a set of LRR 17" tires to fit my wheels I may just make the switch permanently because the 17s look SOOOO much nicer and I love the handling. I still have a lot of tread on both sets of tires though so I won't be able to make that purchase till late 2010 or early 2011.

    I would like to point out though that a lot of the MPG hit is from the tires, at least in my case. My rims are very light weight at 15lbs (Centerline) but the tires are much heavier than stock (approx. 4lbs/ea) and the tread design and compound is much stickier. This is common with low profile performance tires. So a lightweight set of 18's would help you out but you'd still be stuck with tires that were not made to be fuel efficient.
     
    #2 F8L, Dec 28, 2009
  3. risingsun

    risingsun seeker of the way

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2009
    186
    30
    6
    Location:
    Prescott, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I don't think a lot of people realize how little fuel savings there is in staying with the stock 15's vs the larger wheels. If you like the look of larger rims and low-profile, enjoy it. Be prepared to spend more on tires when they need replacing, but I think the driver gets a lot out of those wider, low-profile tires in his driving experience. I haven't regretted getting the stock 17's yet, and the above posts only strengthen that feeling.
     
    #3 risingsun, Dec 28, 2009
  4. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    688
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I am very happy I have 17" wheels with 45 series tires. I might be taking a small MPG hit but better handling and stopping ability make it worth while. They also look a lot better.

    I wonder just how much difference LRR tires make? Some years ago I replaced the LRR Michelins that came on my Honda Accord with a set of non-LRR Bridgestones and I could tell no difference in mileage. But that was a non-hybrid car and I probably didn't check mileage as closely then as I do now.
     
    #4 tumbleweed, Dec 28, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)