.5" really worth it

[HTM Yaris]

Hmm , never thought of it that way .

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by BLAZINBLUEVITZ

no 205's? WHY

205s have a tendency to rub on lowered vehicles, especially with an offset of less than +40.

[Loren]

Originally Posted by HTM Yaris

Hmm , never thought of it that way .

Sure. "Unsprung weight" effects handling characteristics, less mass for the shocks to have to control when a wheel hits a bump. Rotational inertia (even on the non-drive wheels... they still have to be spun-up) affects acceleration and braking. Wheel and tire inertia also creates a gyroscopic affect that effects the steering feel and it's resistance to turning.

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

To answer the OP's question, no, 3-4 pounds isn't worth an extra half-inch of width... on a Yaris. If you NEEDED that extra half inch to fit a 7" wide wheel and stuff something like a 245 under the car, then it might be worth it. But, you can get plenty of tire for a Yaris on a 6.5" wide wheel.

That said, I do have 15x7's on my Yaris! They were cheap and light... $89 and 11 pounds. Generally a good trade-off all-around.

[scape]

thanks for the correction, exactly rotational inertia (not unsprung weight) and the tangent forces coming off the tire as a result.
to be honest, i'm starting to think 15x5.5 or 6 is an even better trade off with a 195x55 compound...who knows, depends on how many G's you wanna try and pull, or percent G's really haha

[thebarber]

id go 15x6.5 w/ 195's

i have that setup now and 195 is PLENTY of rubber....grips like a mofo

[scape]

good to know :D
I have 15" steelies now, I was thinking of buying the 195x55's when I need new tires, with/without the possibility of new wheels. if it all fits well.