Hot wheels! Cool wheels! Wheels!

I have always felt that the wheels make the car... and the Prius is no different. I can't explain why I feel this way, I just do. It is similar to how I feel about the roof on houses.

You can take a relatively "plain" vehicle and make it look great with the correct wheels. You can do the same thing with the correct roof on a house. What looks best is obiously subjective, but *I* certainly know what's best! The wheels that come with the Prius.... how do I say this... aren't "it." I typically go for simple, smooth (easy to clean!) designs that are not in your face.

 

I've heard all the talk about removing the plastic wheel rings... but haven't yet seen a before/after picture. I'm a bit hampered on jpg searching right now, being on dialup and all...

I'd also show some pictures of what I like if I were on a faster conection. "Understated" is probably the easy way to describe my likes. Basket weaves are out. Spinners are out. Too many damn spokes are out. I like more spokes than three, but fewer than... well "lots." the fewer spokes there are, the easier than are to clean! Aesthetics used to mean way more to me in my younger years. Now I just want it to look classy, while being totally practical.

In a perfect world, I want the wheel/tire combo to fill up the wheel well properly. BMW typically does a GREAT job of this. And it seems like the cheaper the car, the worse they do at this. I'm not a huge fan of the low profile look, but I want low *enough* profile for good handling.... and enough sidewall and width for rim protection and ride comfort. Basically I just want it all.

While we're here, what is the factory wheel size? Tire designation?

 

Who doesn't want it all. Our cars are one of the few places where we can express ourselves publicly. I've always appreciated the work people put into cars, even if the results are... less than... well, I can't really think of any polite way to put it! Anyway, even if I don't like tha way it turned out, as a die-hard, obsessed car guy, I DO appreciate all the time and effort that went into it.

One example I remember was a guy who took the front end from a Lexus SUV and grafted it onto his Ford Explorer. THe amount of work that went into it was mind-boggling. The results, while nice, was not perfect. The body and nose just didn't match. I was awe-struck at the workmanship it took to do it.

Anyway, I think cars are a canvas that we can use to express whatever we want. Cars say a lot about us. The type of car we drive, the color, certainly the wheels, and so on. So have fun with your car. It's not merely transportation, you can enjoy it too! A good car can always be made better, and you will be much happier.

My Explorer is a gas hog of the most extreme sort. At times it would dip into the single digits, but damn was it a blast to drive. I could easily drive through 2 feet of water without hesitation. If I did get stuck I'd just winch myself out. It was a fun car (still is actually).

Anyway, enough gushing about cars. Just have fun. Even if all you do is add a set of wheels, that's still making it yours.


Now, factory wheels. 15x6.5" rims, 5x100 bolt pattern, 45mm offset, weighs just about 13 pounds. Tires are Goodyear Integrity 185/60 15".

 

It is a little late to go out and take a picture now but I was very happy to get the plastic rings off. Hideous is a great description. Without the rings they are less offensive but there is definitely room for improvement. Saving for my Italy trip means more to me right now than having cool wheels......

 

Oh... I go WAY beyond that. Even when it is an irreplaceable, insanely rare vehicle. Nothing is sacred to me.

Thanks for this. Allows me a dream a bit before my car gets here.

If anybody has some good before and after of the plastic wheel rings, I'd love to vicariously live through your pictures while I sit here twiddling my thumbs.

 

I would, you know... but I'm in SF currently - becoming more and more excited about my intimate visit with the X-1 tomorrow. But I'm certainly home all day Monday! Bring it on! I'll show you all the invasive mods I've done to the Rav (though it has factory wheels).

 

I don't want anybody to think I'm smug, so I try to keep a low profile.

 

I just replaced the stock wheels and tires. Had to add some individuality to my car ( and a little "bling"). I put chrome 16" American Racing Casino wheels and some new 205/65R16 GoodYear Assurance Comfortreds. What a look and ride. The tires are amazing.

YES, I'm taking a hit on milage. Seems to be about 5 mpg. Only had them a day so we'll have to see. For me, it's worth it.

 

There are many wheel types to choose from for the Prius. I installed a 16 x 7 inch, seven spoke Motegi (MR7) and mounted Goodyear's tripple tread in a 205/ 55 tire. At a 42 mm offset... this tire/wheel fills the wheel well quite nicely.

I was concerned about lowering mpg. At 40 psi front and 38 rear... mileage has not decreased... but overall handling is up a step or two. Wet handling is much better... while noise has increased only slightly over the OEM tire choice.

Without a doubt... the best addition to the car so far.

 

Did you do the "wheel calibration" in the setup menu of the nav. to ensure the speedo is reading correctly?