I finally found a set of wheels I like in the 14" size.

 

Yep I was right!!!! Looks good Newt, feel better now? Need a drop now, just thought I'd be the first to say it.

 

Yeah, you are one of the first to tell me!! Actually the guys at the tire shop said "man, yous gotta drop that sukker now!!" lol
I think I am about through for a while, although I think about that intake mod.

Walt

 

What size tires do you have on the 14's? It looks good, and should ride a bit better also.

 

195/65x14 BFG Touring Radials. The ride is MUCH improved over the stock Goodyears. With the new wheels, that are surprisingly noticably lighter, it "feels" a little smoother yet, but me thinks it is my mind telling me what I want to feel ;-)
Several folks have commented on the lowering kits that only drop a little over an inch giving a better ride as well. I might look into that someday, but not right away.

Walt

 

It looks bad. 14's are way too small.

 

Thanks.

 

it looks good. Now drop it.

 

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I'm sure we have all heard this, and it's ok if Nate doesn't find it to his liking. Someday he may be and old fart like me and prefer a smooth ride to a harsh ride.
Ironically, when I first thought about switching to 14's I read a post here that suggested 14" with higher aspect ratio tires should smooth out the bumps a little, as well as giving more rims to choose from. I asked the dealer and was told it would not be noticable. Not to be disuaded, I came upon the opportunity to swap with a friend and his Corolla. Long story short, he is happy with his 15's and I am happy with my 14's. The additional irony is that, if you notice, fewer and fewer rims are available in 14's. When I came upon these at a VERY attactrive price I jumped. Thanks to the guys at Ruben Tires in Orlando!!

Walt

 

Toaster, I am going to be looking into a drop, but gotta be convinced that the ride quality won't suffer!!! Disney bB might help me there as she just had her xb dropped.

Walt

Walt

 

I'm not trying to rain on your parade. I just turned 30 this month, so I'm getting up there. I've been modding cars and trucks since 1990. If you like the wheels, that's cool. That's what's important. I had 15's on my 1990 Ford Escort GT.

 

wow Walt! I think yours is the first I've seen on 14's. good for you.

as to the dropped/ larger rim & shorter tire equaling a harsher ride, you may have a point, but your 14" perspective is probably as 'cushy' a ride you can find. but, the harshness may not be as much as you'd think. I have 18's wrapped w/ 35's dropped on Goldlines (2" drop) and the ride is smoother than stock. ride around in some different drops and different wheel setups and see what you like when the time comes.

as to the intake... do it. you'll love it. you know cars and I assume you like driving them. the intake makes this fun ride even more fun.

 

No problem. I get rained on so much here in "sunny" FL that it runs off like a ducks back now
I'm 62 and I find it funny that when I grew up as a teen the typical car had 16" tires where I lived. By the 60's they were down to 15 and even a few 14's. My first new car, a 68 Toyota had 13" and I had to pay extra to get them instead of the standard 12" tires. Some of the little sportty Datsuns and Toyotas overseas had 10" tires. Now we seem to be on the upward trend again. The funniest site I have seen lately was a mid 80's full size Chevy Caprice hauling down the road on at least 22's and maybe 24's I swear it had more ground clearance than a Hummer

Walt

 

i hate 14s because theyre so small, but you may have changed my mind around!

you definetly have a nice box. you pull off the 14s really well. it could use a little drop, but thats all up to you. nice xB though for sure.

scott