HELP - Gotta get best of both worlds!!

Livengood · 05-08-2008, 08:30 PM

Just bought a new 06 Silver Xb. Love it. But, bought the car primarily for a commute car due to it's great gas mileage. Only prob...it has those goofy plastic wheel covers...Gotta get some new rims/tires, HOWEVER I don't want to negatively impact gas mileage. What path should I take to get the BEST GAS mileage and have the best possible ride. I've seen those TRD 17 rims with some low profile tires that look kewl enough for me...Just going for the classic hotrod look with the TRD 5 spoke rims. Please let me know what options you guys suggest since you all seem to be PRO's at suggesting best scenarios for a new Scion owner interested in keeping best MPG, but still being able to style and ride in comfort....Thanks for everyone's suggestions in advance.

IowaSciontist · 05-08-2008, 09:19 PM

If you don't want to lower it, go 17 or 18. But the bigger they are the more they weigh. So they will effect gas milage. And the tires will be a lower profile, so the ride will be rougher. 15's would be lighter, but will leave you with huge wheel gap. Unless you reuse the stock tires, then it won't be quite so bad, just like it looks now. You can get a wider 15, like 8", and stretch the stock tires to fit. This will give you a more custom look without sacrificing ride quality or gas milage. Your best option if you still want a bigger wheel, is to find some light weight ones. But they usually cost more than the heavier wheels and don't know if you want to spend the extra money for a commuter car. Konig and Axis make a decently light, larger size wheel with a decent price. Check them out.

Livengood · 05-08-2008, 09:46 PM

I don't want to lower...I've heard that if you widen the surface of the tire, it can definitely impact mpg...(more friction on road, lower mpg). Current tires are Eagle Goodyear with really good tread so I might consider the wider 8" you mentioned if my friction theory above isn't true...Are the TRD 5 spoke light? Which..speaking of light, do you know what the weight is on the stock steelies so I know what to compare things too when I'm looking for the Konig/Axis and any other lighter rims. Don't mind paying extra money for the right thing...gonna have this a long time as I got it with on 15k miles on it...

StealthBox · 05-09-2008, 08:14 AM

If you are planning on using this for commuting then you might just want to go with a 15x7 or 15x6.5rim. This way you can use the stock tires and retain the stock ride and MPG. The wheel gap will remain as is and it will look better then now.

Or if you wanted to you could just do the trim ring and center cap thing for that old skool look..

Kind of like this:

Now mine is lowered so you will have a larger wheel gap....

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BoneDaddy · 05-12-2008, 01:52 PM

I too am new at this. i got my first xb about 3 weeks ago and i love it. right now i am on my stock wheels and i was going to have them powder coated. where can i find the center caps like you have? mine had the plastic wheel covers too and i just took them off. i would like a cleaner look though...

StealthBox · 05-12-2008, 02:14 PM

The caps come from Napa part# 730-2411. They aren't chrome but with alittle elbow grease can shine.

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BoneDaddy · 05-12-2008, 02:21 PM

Thank you.. ill have to give it a try. i think it will look pretty sweet when i get my wheels painted... i dont know much about the car other than a few simple things, but i am finding more out about it as i go. thanks again

IowaSciontist · 05-13-2008, 10:03 PM

Not sure on steelie weights. If I had to guess, I'd say around 16-20 lbs each. I know they were way heavier than even my 15x10 Works. As for the 5 spoke TRD's not sure either. They are made by Volk, and some of their rims are light, and some are no better than ones half the price. You would have to research it a little.

And the stock tires will fit a 15x8 rim. Been done several times on here. So you won't gain tread width. And it's safe enough for a daily driver.

Livengood · 05-14-2008, 10:49 PM

Thanks for the responses...I've decided to do the 15" rim and keep my stock tires...I've found several different 5 spoke 15" rims that I'm kewl with....Going to be looking into the Enkei and Mogeshi...both of those are pretty kewl and affordable, and still light. Thanks again for the feedback...appreciated..