Quick question from a new member of the Scion club:

I just bought a used Scion just over five months ago. Like everyone else on here, I love it. The car had most of the work done already to it (sunroof, soundsystem, dvd player, etc.) so I haven't gotten to have that much fun with mods. But I got a great deal on it so I couldn't complain that much (and once I get it paid off, I'll do more stuff to it myself).

The problem I'm having right now is with my tires/wheels (I don't know much about wheels as you'll find out in a second).

The box came with 18" Kazera KZ-Vs on it with BF Goodrich G-Force 215/35 tires. I love the style but have problems with reliability. I live in Louisiana which has the crappiest roads in the world and feel every bump in the car. What's worse is the potholes. I've already had to replace a tire and a rim and last night, coming home from a bar I hadn't been to, hit another one that dinged up my rim so the tire is slowly losing air.

Here's the question: I'm looking to buy a new set of tires and rims that are maybe a bit sturdier for everyday driving. I'd like to buy something that I can easily switch out with what I've already got on there.

I'm really just looking for advice on what wheels you think could absorb a little more punishment from the roads and what size tire to buy. I'm thinking about getting 15"s but don't know... I'd put the stocks on there but they didn't come with the car.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

15" wheels and tires will give you the best resistance to tire and rim damage. 18's like you have as you has found out aren't that great for rough roads. 16 and 17 inch wheels would be in between. Most people have good luck with 17" rims as far as damage like you describe but your roads may be worse than most peoples roads too.

The decision is what look do you want and how much risk do you want to take to have that look (assuming you like a bigger wheel look). 15's stock minimal damage risk, 16's looks pretty stock a very small increase in damage risk, 17's are starting a "big wheel" look but are now significantly more damage prone than stock (I would call 17" rims a minimal risk where I am, 18s starting to look pretty big but now you have a moderate risk of damage (you must not hit big potholes or wheel damage is likely). Beyond this, get a wheel and tire combination that pleases you in the stock overall diameter (15, 16, or 17" rims...from what you said you may be best staying with 15 or 16 inch sizes) and enjoy them.

 

I would drop down to 17, in your place.....I've just bought 17s for mine to replace the the stock 15 alloys. And I travel to NOLA often and LA does have the worst roads....I can tell when I cross the state line.