Wheels man, wheels.

"YSI-what can brown do for you" (ysi-what-can-brown-do-for-you) 06/30/2014 at 11:28 • Filed to: None

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Do you know how hard it is to find wheels in the right size as to not hit anything in the fenders and good quality at a nice price? IT IS SO DAMN HARD. But I have created a list, quite a nice one I think. What y'all think?

So I have found these. 720 Form GTF1. Never heard of them but they are about 800 bucks and they are super light like 16lbs. Don't know about quality though.

Then there are these things, Apex ARC-8. I am trying to keep this under 1 grand, but these are just above it by like 36 dollars(woah going overboard). Either way, I have heard these are very popular in the BMW world, and that they are a strong wheel.

Mach V. I think they look really nice and they are a nice strong wheel. Perfect for what I want to use them for.

Rota Titans. For 700 bucks you can't beat the price, plus they look very nice. Only problem is, there are two sides to Rotas(just like everything else). Those who say they suck and those who say they are amazing. I am somewhere in-between(leaning towards the "they are awesome" crowd).

Gram Lights 57dr. Unlike its brother the 57xtremes, these can be had for 1200 to 1400 but I bet if I wait, I can find them on sale for around 1100, which I can do. Plus I get that leet JDM cred.

Am I buying these anytime soon? No. lololololololol, but the choices are stacking up. At first it was like 3, then it was like 1, and now it is like 5. Seriously. So which would you take? Also suggestions would be awesome! Remember 5x100, 17x9 +35 to +42mm offset, all for around a grand.

Oh, and I do know RPF1s exist ;)

For Sweden > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:31

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I hear the stock wheels work really well.

YSI-what can brown do for you > For Sweden 06/30/2014 at 11:32

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I hear summer rubber doesn't work so well in the snow

Where have all the lightweights gone? > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:33

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I like the 57DR's, but I don't think the gold color would work with your car. You've got the burnt orange color on your FR-S, don't you?

JGrabowMSt > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:33

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If you think that's bad, I'm trying to find a set of steel wheels for less than $100 a wheel. Can you imagine, steelies are getting that expensive?!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:35

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This is a great write up. I've also been thinking about the same thing, planning on getting new wheels next spring. The Prodrive GT1s are another set I've been considering. Those 57DRs are looking mighty tempting though...

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:35

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Steelies? :D

I do think the huge steelies and snow tires look pretty agressive

For Sweden > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:35

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That why Odin made steelies!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:37

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If you're just looking to get a set of winter wheels, sets of the stock wheels are going for about $400-500 on ft86club. I plan on picking up a 2nd set and throwing some Blizzaks on them for this next winter.

daender > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:40

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But RPF1s, bro!

KnowsAboutCars > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:41

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Based purely on looks I would go with GTF1, Titan or 57dr.

What I've heard about Rota is that they used to be crap but are currently pretty good.

YSI-what can brown do for you > For Sweden 06/30/2014 at 11:42

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I want to sell the stock wheels, they are hideous. Then get steelies, just so I have some street cred.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 06/30/2014 at 11:43

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500 bucks is a bit much, that is nearly as much as a set of Titans. Although that does make me more inclined to sell the stock wheels.

YSI-what can brown do for you > JGrabowMSt 06/30/2014 at 11:44

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Its all those people that think they look good! Those people are driving prices up!

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:45

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try finding high performance tires to fit a 13" x8" BBS three piece. Especially in Canada. Pretty much impossible.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Where have all the lightweights gone? 06/30/2014 at 11:45

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Yeah, all the wheels would probably be black on my car, either that or silver.

KnowsAboutCars > Where have all the lightweights gone? 06/30/2014 at 11:45

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They are also available in gray or black.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua 06/30/2014 at 11:46

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Yeah but steelies are heavy!

YSI-what can brown do for you > KnowsAboutCars 06/30/2014 at 11:47

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That is what I have heard before. Although some people still say they like to explode.

YSI-what can brown do for you > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/30/2014 at 11:47

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13" wheels? Damn that's tiny. I know 15s have a big selection of tires. You could upgrade in size.

ColoradoTaco > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:50

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Plastidip the stock wheels, add winter tires, then get a nice set for Summer. Done and done.

YSI-what can brown do for you > ColoradoTaco 06/30/2014 at 11:53

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I mean that was the plan(besides the plastic dip, but I want steelies for one reason only. . .

Wheel covers.

YSI-what can brown do for you > daender 06/30/2014 at 11:54

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The black ones look nice, but I think they aren't very pretty. #notshallow

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:59

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I've seen them as low as $300 too. That includes tires as well, so you've got a spare set of summers to trash after the snow melts.

Reigntastic > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 11:59

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Check out what Enkei has to offer, they're not too expensive and have tons of wheels in proper FR-S/BRZ fitment.

daender > JGrabowMSt 06/30/2014 at 12:01

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Look in junkyards, that'll be your best bet.

Tekamul > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:02

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From this list, I would go with the 57dr. But really, 9 inches wide? You'll never smoke a tire again! Are you going to coilovers to run 235+ width?

YSI-what can brown do for you > Tekamul 06/30/2014 at 12:04

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No stock suspension. They fit with a 35 to 42mm offset with 245/40 rubber. I mean I don't smoke them anyway, not on the street at least. I just wanna go fast while autocrossing!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Reigntastic 06/30/2014 at 12:05

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They have some wheels in the size I want but not in the offset, they are all 45mm offset which will need a spacer! They just don't like the 5x100 bolt pattern.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:05

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These wheels are pretty Special. They are real BBS 3-pieces that have FORD stamped in the center section. They are VERY rare. The JPS Ford Capris are the only ones ive ever seen them on. that isnt so say they never were pt on other cars though. Sorry about the pictures of pictures. The tires that are on there are 235/60/13 Pirelli P6's if you cant quite see them. We have a set of 15" Prime wheels for driving, and we put these on at shows.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 06/30/2014 at 12:08

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Ohhhhh, but I would have to buy new summer rubber for it wouldn't I? I mean most people don't put Pilot Super Sports on the stock wheels.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > JGrabowMSt 06/30/2014 at 12:11

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Really? I got my 17x7 for about $100 per corner, and those are huge. 16s should be easy to find

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:15

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Here's what my plan is. I picked up my FR-S this past Thursday. Before winter I plan on buying a 2nd cheap set of wheels, the stock ones are actually pretty nice and relatively cheap so I will likely get those. I will throw a set of winter tires on those wheels, keep the spare summer tires to play around with next spring/summer (never bad to have an extra set of tires). And in time get a GOOD set of wheels/rubber. So in my plan, I eventually end up with 3 sets of wheels, likely selling one of the stock sets eventually.

Reigntastic > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:18

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What offset are you looking for?

Reigntastic > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:19

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Yes!! I hate the stock wheels. Ugly, too small in both diameter and width. Car looks so much better with a real set of wheels.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Reigntastic 06/30/2014 at 12:19

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35 to 42mm offset.

ColoradoTaco > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:24

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Wheel covers are awful. I thought you wanted it to look decent, not cheap

YSI-what can brown do for you > Reigntastic 06/30/2014 at 12:28

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Hurray! Someone understands the problem with stock wheels. Not to mention stock wheels are heavy! All the wheels on this list are lighter than the stock wheels and they are all wider!

YSI-what can brown do for you > ColoradoTaco 06/30/2014 at 12:29

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I mean if you get steelies you are already half there. . .

anonsagainstanonymous > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:31

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Wheels is something I will never be able to decide on. Mostly because any wheels that looks good are hella expensive. Good thing steelies is my fetish.

YSI-what can brown do for you > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/30/2014 at 12:33

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You could keep these on the side, and if you ever want to do some driving get a set of 15x8s or 15x9s. You have a small wheel so they are going to be cheap! 17s are getting expensive and 18s are crazy!

YSI-what can brown do for you > anonsagainstanonymous 06/30/2014 at 12:35

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Well that depends. If you have 15 inch wheels you can get an amazing set for under 600 dollars. Makes me jealous of the Miata peeps.

JGrabowMSt > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua 06/30/2014 at 12:43

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16s? Those would even fit over my front brakes!

I need 18x7.5, and I'd really like the 5 spoke charger steelies off the 08-11 cop cars.

JGrabowMSt > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:45

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yeah, those bastards! I just want to replace my aging and slowly corroding stock wheels without spending much...

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > JGrabowMSt 06/30/2014 at 12:45

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In that case, yeah that sounds hard. It took me a long time to find 17s that fit

Dsscats > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 12:52

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I think they look amazing. I'm not too much of a fan of the others

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 13:00

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We have a set of 15x9s with Toyo Ra-1 Proxis on them for driving the car.

YSI-what can brown do for you > JGrabowMSt 06/30/2014 at 13:23

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If you can downsize do it! You save $$$ by doing that.

Ferrero1911 > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 13:42

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I'd go with the Gram Lights all day long. I don't think you'll regret spending the money, and you do have the time to wait for them to go on sale.

MachineReplica > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 13:54

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Have you ever checked out Kosei wheels? They have some great looking styles and they are light AND strong. Chceck them out on Tire Rack.

I have no love for Rota, but I am also a stickler for light wheels. I have OEM BBS 15x6 +35 on my 95 Miata. They are a hair over 11 lbs. My friend has a set of Rota Grid in 16x7 that he inherited when he bought his Miata and they are closing in on 20 lbs. I can't comment on the strength, but they are heavy.

I autocross as well, so I understand where you are coming from with light wheels. At some point I want to get a set of Advanti Storm S1 or Tracklite Burn in 15x8, both of which are under 12 lbs, for dedicated autocross tires so I can run something less agressive on the street.

Have you ever thought about not getting the Michelin tires? Especially if you will have a second set of wheels. Check out Dunlop ZII (low availability due to the star specs coming out in the fall), BFG Rival, or Bridgstone RE11A.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 13:54

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These are the ones I plan on getting this summer for my BRZ.

BBS CF's

Figure I would start with wheels and work my way up, through suspension and engine mods.

JGrabowMSt > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 14:03

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Nope. Already bought new tires, i'm waiting to see if I can find the wheels around when it gets out of paint so I don't have to put the new tires on the crappy stock rims that are corroding.

YSI-what can brown do for you > MachineReplica 06/30/2014 at 14:09

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Rota Grids are a pretty heavy wheel though. IN 17x9 I think they are close 25lbs or something. Titans though are pretty light. They only weigh in a 17.8lbs for the same size.

I have actually thought about getting something other than Michelin, but I don't want anything too aggressive because that would be like going from Kool Aid to crack. I have only raced on all season that weren't meant for any sort of performance driving. I want my skill to exceed the grip levels if that makes sense. I was thinking about getting Pilot Sport AS-3s from Costco. Mounted and balanced for around 650 bucks with a warranty! Not half bad right?

I will probably start getting into more aggressive rubber once I know I am badass driver.

MachineReplica > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 14:34

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I just drove my fifth autocross yesterday and I'm already being held back by the car. Ask any instructor, they will tell you to just get the good tires as soon as you can. I had some Khumo all seasons cast in 09 on my car when I bought it. I managed two events before they started to desintigrate. It's not a bad idea at all to get used to the car on poop tires, but you definitely want to get some nice rubber on your car soon. If you don't want to go too crazy with the tires, also check out BFG Sport Comp 2 or Yokohama S-Drive.

My 205/50/15 ZII's were $550 shipped. That's a really good deal for the AS-3's. I have the convenience of being able to mount and balance tires myself, so things are a bit cheaper for me. I should have access to an alignment rack before I start revamping my whole suspension. Unfortunately I'm in STR, so I'll never be able to beat a properly setup S2000. I too am racing on a tight budget, so I feel your pain. Hopefully in the next few years they remove LSD Miatas out of STR and into something I can become competitive.

YSI-what can brown do for you > MachineReplica 06/30/2014 at 15:00

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You feel out classed! I bought a set of headers for my car cause at the time they were nearly 200 dollars off. So I jumped on the deal. Now I am in STX with stock wheels, tires, suspension, everything besides exhaust. It is hilarious how much faster everyone is than me! No biggie though, I am mostly competing with myself! Still want to at least win an event at some point(except for that one time there was rain, muhahaha!!)

So how aggressive should my next set of tires be you think? Somewhere around Pilot Super Sports, or somewhere in the range of RS3s?

MachineReplica > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 15:29

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RS3 are not going to be ST legal next year, so I would say no. Tires must have a 200 treadwear rating for ST class. I think the RS3 would put you in some street prepared class that would make life even harder for you. However, I think that Hankook might just slap a 200 treadwear rating on the RS3. You can't go wrong with the Rivals. They are a bit slower than the ZII on absolute times, but they are easier to drive at the limit and they communicate more. The RE11A are back of the pack for this category, but they are more civil so better on a DD. I went with the ZII because they are great in the rain (for this type of tire) and I don't really care about tire roar in my Miata. That being said, the ZII will be replaced with the ZII Star Spec in the fall which should finally make it better than the old Z1 Star Spec. If it doesn't rain that often and standing water doesn't accumulate that much, get the BFG Rivals if you can't find the ZII's in your size since they are discontinued.

I'm pretty sure you can make your car STX competitive over time. At least you haven't gone with forced induction which would put you in Street Mod! Unfortunately nothing I can do to my car will make it faster than S2000's with STR legal mods. If I didn't have the LSD I could easily be competitive in STS, but I can't live without that Torsen. I try and beat the other novices at events, but my stupid PAX time isn't helping at all. Then you have drivers that aren't really novices. You can always tell when they are lying when they are four seconds faster than the rest of the novices! I was 2.5 seconds off the pace yesterday and the novice leader was a good 1.5 seconds faster than everyone else, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't a novice. The instructors agreed.

For what it's worth, I like the 740 FORM GTF1 you posted. Just because it isn't a well known brand doesn't mean they suck. Hardly anyone has heard of 6UL, but they are the lightest and strongest Miata (or any 4x100 car) wheel out there. Weight is the enemy of our underpowered cars, especially when it's attached to the hubs.

Sorry for the novel, just trying to point you in the right direction.

Roadster Man > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 15:48

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RPF-1 or save up for some sweet sweet TE-37's.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Roadster Man 06/30/2014 at 15:53

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All these wheels are cheaper than RPF1s! Except the Gram Lights, but that is what Rays does.

YSI-what can brown do for you > MachineReplica 06/30/2014 at 16:13

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I want something that will last at least 20k miles. These are going to be my tires for around 4 to 5 months out of the year(the warmer months), and I don't want to be buying tires every year or so. They will also be subject to daily drive duties, so they have to be good in the rain! Plus I don't want it too cost an a lot of money. Trying to keep this whole shtick(tires+wheels) down below 1600. Gonna have to do more research again, hahaha.

I can definitely make my car more competitive in STX, there is an FRS there with 18x8.5" wheels and Pilot Super Sports, cars with more aggressive rubber can't even keep up! He has won every event in his class he has been to this year, and he hasn't even done suspension work. Imagine with 17x9s, lighter wheels, and grippier tires!

I know that you, like me, are on a budget, but you have to go all out on your Miata! I saw one yesterday, splitter, big wing, and racing slicks. MAN was it fast! Don't know how well it did, but it was quick. He was in XP though, so there wasn't much competition for him. Sadly for him in PAX times a GTR and a STI beat him. Kind of makes me want to get one, you guys have so many options!

It isn't that I haven't heard of the 720 Form, it is that I can't find any info on them! Apex racing wheels, were relatively unknown but I can find things on them. I am leaning towards the ARC-8. They are 17.5lbs so a little heavier but with a good reputation. Surprisingly the heaviest wheel here is also the most expensive. . . go figure right?

MachineReplica > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 16:53

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Well, autocross tires like the Rivals won't last long anyway due to heat cycling. A Miata can last ~12,000 miles on ZII's, but not something heavier. You would be best off with the Michelin PSS or something like that if that's what you need out of the tire. I would definitely look into the 720 Form wheels since they seem to be the best bang for the buck. If I'm not mistaken you could use any wheels that would work for a third gen Miata, so check out what those guys are using. I have a feeling you are going to find a ton of bros suggesting stupid bro wheels. Expensive wheels do tend to be heavy for some reason. Even in the NA/NB Miata world. I could spend ~$100 per wheel on quality light weight wheels, or I could spend twice that per wheel on some big heavy BBS or something.

Ideally after I finish the suspension I'll get a 99/00 Miata head, ITB's, header, and a custom tune. That would be pretty much maxed out for STR. Eventually I would open the motor up and run higher compression, cams, etc. and shoot for ~180 RWHP and start replacing body panels with CF. Since it's my DD I don't want to strip it down all the way. I've already swapped out my airbag dash with an older style dash, CAI, frame rail braces, stainless steel brake lines, upgraded pads and rotors, aftermarket steering wheel, cowl induction, and the previous owner left me with a redneck dual exhaust (they cut a hole in the exhaust pre muffler and welded on another pipe). I have however added some insulation to make it more comfortable in the summer and an amplifier.

YSI-what can brown do for you > MachineReplica 06/30/2014 at 19:39

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I am going to look around though cause MPSS are 'spensive. Although they are probably one of the best summer tires you can buy for DD. I will keep looking around though, maybe I can find something that lasts 20k miles for around 600 bucks.

If you look at TE37s I think they are around 18lbs for 18x9.5 or something while a similarly sized RPF1 is just around the same weight. It isn't like the RPF1 is a bad wheel either. So whats the point in spending the extra dough. Either way, I found this video of the wheels. It looks like some people do use them for racing. Restores a little faith in them. Someone bought a set and is taking them to the track soon, we will see how it goes.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Man you have really thought this one out! I haven't planned much for the FRS, maybe a few things. It is mostly going to be a daily driver for a few years. I want to get an S13 and delegate it to a project car. I want to make it into a track monster, not the drift missiles you see alot.

Roadster Man > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 23:11

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Dude, it's a 20+K car, in that context you can't be skimping on wheels to save a few hundred bucks. Sell the stockers and grab some steelies on the cheap, then save up for the nice wheels if you really have to. Gram lights, TE-37's, RPF-1's...

However, maybe I'm a hypocrite because I'm about to buy a pair of Rotas. Then again, I bought my car for $3500. I can't fault you for going cheap. If I were you and I decided to get some Rotas, I would snag some +42 Grid V's in speed bronze. $800 on ebay,

YSI-what can brown do for you > Roadster Man 06/30/2014 at 23:15

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Well if you think about it, Volks cost 3600 dollars. I got the car for around 20k(slight used, and a nice deal from the dealer). Now that is nearly 1/5th of the cost of the car. THAT'S A LOT FOR WHEELS! To be honest though RPF1s are nicely priced around 110o dollars. The Mach V and Apex Arc-8 are both in the 1k range.

I have been saving most my money for wheels for nearly a year now, and probably into next year, I have the cash, I just can't see spending nearly 2k on a set of things that are going to go through a lot wear.

Roadster Man > YSI-what can brown do for you 06/30/2014 at 23:25

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Keep in mind, these things go through a lot of wear because you (hopefully) use them every day! Can you think of a better thing to spend money on than something you use every day?

The Volks were just thrown out there as a fastasy. I'd be scared to park within 2 feet of a curb if I had some TE-37's. But you can't argue with RPF1's or any set of Enkei's or a comparable brand. It's a big notch better than Rota's which, as you know, are arguably a notch better than seriously shady replica companies.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Roadster Man 07/01/2014 at 00:04

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True true, but still. RPF1s are a good buy but they are so ugly! I like the way the apex racing wheels look, plus they are a racing wheel! Here are some on some race cars. They are very popular in the BMW community, and they don't like crap like the Subaru peeps! They are a bit heavier than the RPF1s by a 1lb but I can live with that.

Roadster Man > YSI-what can brown do for you 07/01/2014 at 12:48

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I think the RPF-1's look fresh on the FR-S/BRZ, but those are definitely nicer.