POLL: All things considered, what's the best wheel size for the Yaris?

[Kal-El]

Even though I'm offering my opinions, I'd like to see how this poll adds up and hear everyone else's opinions and pro's and con's with different sizes.

14" - IMO, too small
15" - IMO, the most practical with more (and cheaper) tire choices - tires generally last longer and rims are resistant to pot hole damage.
16" - A nice compromise between the attributes of 15's and 17's.
17" - IMO, the "best looking" size. Big, but not too big. But presents potential problems with low pro tires (pot holes). Tires have short tread life and are getting expensive
18" - IMO, too big although can look OK with a drop. The mentioned issues with 17's are multiplied

[YarisSedan]

Being its a subcompact i would put anything larger than a 16. Thats my my opinion. If your talking cosmetics and dont care about anything else than maybe 17.

[cali yaris]

16" rocks, fills the wheel well, looks great, still gives excellent performance characteristics.

[junorico24]

15

[evo165]

I feel 15 to 16" wheel is the BEST set up for our tiny 1.5litre engine. :biggrin:

I've tried many 15" and finally got a chance to try 17" wheels for the look. After couple of weeks, i decided to go back to 15" again for more benefits rather just going for "cool" looking 17".

16" is will be good if you've turbo or super charge your ride. If not, try to stick to 15" for the cheaper cost of tires, more choice of of tires, better acceleration, better mileage per tankful & shorter braking distance(lighter rims). :headbang:

[schleppy]

15" for sure. Very light, they fill up the wheel wells reasonably well, and tires are cheap and plentiful.

[Kal-El]

Thanks for the replies and votes so far. :smile:

Looks like 15's are ahead. The tire options are certainly plentiful in the 185 or 195/60/15 size. And it's amazing the price difference even from 16's. And when you consider you can get 15's to last up to 90K while the longest lasting 16" for the Yaris is warranted around 65K but typically around 40K. That alone is something strong to consider.

When I first started thinking about what wheels I was going to get I really leaned toward 17's for the most "show". Then I began thinking 16's was the best way to go. Still practical, enhanced looks, ect.

In the last week though, I'm suddenly thinking of getting rims in the stock size. I'm starting to not mind the taller sidewalls. I feel that from a practical, economical, and performance standpoint, 15's on the Yaris can't be beaten.

I first planned a purchase a while ago but finances got in the way. Then going into this winter I decided to throw on a winter set of tires on the stocks which leaves me with this choice in the early spring.

Deciding size, I find, is as hard as deciding on the style of rim itself.

Geez. :tongue:

[Black Yaris]

I do not see 19's or 20's? WTF?

[Kal-El]

I do not see 19's or 20's? WTF?

You're kidding right?

[MadMax]

I like 17" wheels, if only because that is what I am running...

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0779.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0780.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0781.jpg

[YAR1S]

O.O how did you get that close to the air force one? or is it on display? HAH
I tried to even watch that plane take off at my local airport and I felt like I was being watched...it felt like every single official in the world was there at every street corner.

[yarstar]

I've run 17" and 15" and to me, the 15's BY FAR worked better. The 17s bogged down the engine and killed my takeoff, but I still ran them for about a year. I got sick of being slow, and bought some 15" Enkei RPF-1s. MAN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! I lost a little bit of handling by stepping down, but made up for it and went way past what the 17s could do by getting coilovers. I'd like to try some super light 16" one day, but for now I'm super satisfied with my 15"s.

[DandiDani]

i have 17's which are great. my husband has 18's which isnt bad either.

[06silveryaris]

I,m running 17 but will be switching to 15 shortly. To wooried about pot holes

[tomato]

15 feels grrrrrrrrreat!

[Thirty-Nine]

I'm a fan of smaller wheels/tires. They always feel more fun to drive to me. I run a 195/55/15 tire on a 15x6.5 rim, and really like it.

However, I'm currently on my 185/65/14 winter tires (on steel 14x5 wheels), and it feels like acceleration is a bit better (slightly shorter tires, possibly marginally shorter gearing?), but it could be psychosomatic.

I ran 16s, and they were OK, I think 17+ wheels are mostly for looks on a Yaris. Just my two cents.

[Kal-El]

Thanks for everyone's votes so far. :smile:

We have a clear leader. Nice to see the majority thinking practically.

I've been torn with what size t get and this poll is certainly helpful.

Originally, I felt that a main reason for getting aftermarket wheels was to up size from stock. That opinion has since changed. I just see to many reasons to stay with 15's. Would I lve the enhanced style of 16's or 17's? Absolutely. But I'm at a point in my life where practicality and economy beats being flashy which is why I have a Yaris in the first place.

As it stands, there's a 75% lean toward 15's with 16's holding on to a 25% chance. :tongue:

[Nakachi]

As for me I will go for the 16" as it won't look to big for the yaris and not heavy

[Malaya1221]

i have 15s but i would go with 16s :)

[WolfWings]

I'm crazy: I love running 14's here in the winter, and if I could be bothered I'd run them in the summer too if there was any decent tires for it. As it is, 15's in the summer just so I have decent tires available.

[advocate]

You didn't include 13s!

[elmo]

O.O how did you get that close to the air force one? or is it on display? HAH
I tried to even watch that plane take off at my local airport and I felt like I was being watched...it felt like every single official in the world was there at every street corner.


that is an old plane i think it is a 707 the air force 1 that the pres uses now is a 747 i think they been using 747's since regans 2nd term i could be wrong on that date

[elmo]

I'm crazy: I love running 14's here in the winter, and if I could be bothered I'd run them in the summer too if there was any decent tires for it. As it is, 15's in the summer just so I have decent tires available.

my wife is running 14" michelin harmonies on her echo very good tire

[jakota]

Europe 2009 Yaris 1.33 L , replaced stock front summer 185/60/R15 with winter 185/65/R14; rear untouched stock 185/60/R15. Cheap solution for snow, good behavior. :thumbup:

[TOUGEghost]

Here's why I went with 17's: I like short stiff sidewalls for better steering response, and I like bigger wheels. My wheel and tire combo is not only wider and lighter than stock, but the overall diameter is also shorter than stock for better acceleration. Win/win/win if you ask me. The only drawbacks I can think of are a greater chance of wheel damage and a slightly stiffer ride.

As far as the original question, for the best compromise between price, practicality, and performance, I would go with 16's. I was actually thinking of getting an extra set to try out.

[r3b3l]

I don't understand why the bad part of having 17's is that you get worse response at takeoff or worse handling, or even mpg. If you run the same rolling diameter as stock how can you get anything worse than stock performance. Even if you had a small increase in rolling diameter the worse thing that could happen is having to recalibrate the speedo right? I understand pot holes could be a problem but if you still have 4 inch walls maybe you should not drive over a road that has been hit by a clusterbomb. I mean most places have decent roads, hell I live in MS we have the most horrible roads in the union and they wouldnt cause pothole damage.

[TOUGEghost]

^^ It does depend on the wheel; some are really heavy.

[Kal-El]

Here's why I went with 17's: I like short stiff sidewalls for better steering response, and I like bigger wheels. My wheel and tire combo is not only wider and lighter than stock, but the overall diameter is also shorter than stock for better acceleration. Win/win/win if you ask me. The only drawbacks I can think of are a greater chance of wheel damage and a slightly stiffer ride.

As far as the original question, for the best compromise between price, practicality, and performance, I would go with 16's. I was actually thinking of getting an extra set to try out.

The other "drawback" with 17's is the premium on tire prices while also not lasting as long. 17's for the Yaris generally only last 30K, maybe 40. While you can get 15's that last 75-90K and costs 50% less.

[PHXDEMON]

As someone that bought his car with 17's I would prefer 15's or 16s if they are light.

[LA Yaris]

For me I kept it with with a 5 pounds 15" wheels on the stock tires. On a 3" drop, I am happy I did that cause now with the body kit. It does not rub to much.

[why?]

Unless you are trying to run big power i don't see any reason to go anything but 14". The tires I have surprise me every time i try a little spirited driving. Much better than stock. They just keep on holding. Plus the light weight is great as well.

[XYaris]

I run 17 inch wheels normally but this winter I put some Blizzaks on my stock wheels. I must say that I am enjoying having a sidewall a great deal. The steering response is not the same but I am seriously considering selling my 17's and going with some 15" alloys in the spring.

[supmet]

Here's why I went with 17's: I like short stiff sidewalls for better steering response, and I like bigger wheels. My wheel and tire combo is not only wider and lighter than stock, but the overall diameter is also shorter than stock for better acceleration. Win/win/win if you ask me. The only drawbacks I can think of are a greater chance of wheel damage and a slightly stiffer ride.

As far as the original question, for the best compromise between price, practicality, and performance, I would go with 16's. I was actually thinking of getting an extra set to try out.

I'm seeing your wheel tire combo as 37 lbs total(15 lb rims and 22 lb tires), and stock is 33 from what I've heard. Also, as I posted before, your weight is farther out than stock, so more rotational inertia.

[contraband831]

I currently have a set of 15's and 17's and I love the look of the 17's and the comfort of the 15's. I voted for 16's because i think they will be the best of both worlds (looks and comfort). My TRD 18's filled the gap well, looked cool, but made the car sluggish and the ride was not the best.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I have 17's, and I gotta say that I love them. However, when I get new rims, I'll be getting 16's. I really hate driving over unavoidable bumps and holes in the road, and praying that my 17's aren't bent.

[Kal-El]

16's are right on 15's ass now. :tongue: Good race.

[r3b3l]

What width of tire is the best for the different sizes we are discussing? After reading the about the good and bad for the rim sizes I have decided to just stick with 15's. So whats the best tire size to go with more specifically the width of the tire.

This post is not intended to hijack the thread but augment it. :)

[kimona]

What width of tire is the best for the different sizes we are discussing? After reading the about the good and bad for the rim sizes I have decided to just stick with 15's. So whats the best tire size to go with more specifically the width of the tire.

This post is not intended to hijack the thread but augment it. :)

Generally, 205mm rubber works well; however, it depends on wheel width and offset, and your suspension set-up.

[Kal-El]

What width of tire is the best for the different sizes we are discussing? After reading the about the good and bad for the rim sizes I have decided to just stick with 15's. So whats the best tire size to go with more specifically the width of the tire.

This post is not intended to hijack the thread but augment it. :)

I have 195/60/15's (snows) on my stocks. Looks much better than the small 185's. Otherwise, go with 205/55's.

[Ryu]

14" for the light weight purpose only.
I find the car stop better, accelerate from stop better and more responsive.

15"-16" is still the best compromise between look and performance.

[stevens_uk]

I like 17" wheels, if only because that is what I am running...

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0779.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0780.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/M2Repsol/Yaris/IMG_0781.jpg

Best looking yaris i've seen to date! what brand are those wheels?

[Kal-El]

Wow, a 4 year bump. :clap:

[Exiwolfman]

14 with snows did have last summer 14 prius rims moved up to 15 for this summer mainly tire choice and rim...think 15 look best on lowered yaris..:)

[Blown_xa]

15's for sure! looks good, rides smoothe, and many performance tire options thanks to Miatas! But why not run 205/50 or 225/45? Yaris' (along with my car) were blessed with massive wheel wells... take advantage of that!