As you all know, I got a Yellow 03 Cavalier with 14" steelies. I am tired of the squeakitysqueakitysqueakity hub caps that have more broken screw things and the Bridgestone Potenza tires, so I want to upgrade. I've set sights on the Motegi Traklites, and I need some user opinions. Since all the searches come up as two years ago, I would like to know, from those that have Traklites, if they were/are worth the buy?
I am thinking of getting the 15x7.
Is there anything I need to know, like where to get the centering ring, or how well do these wheels harmonically balance? Are they good for a daily driver? etc. etc. etc.
I like my wheels balanced, because if a car is driving like an off balance washing machine at highway speeds, it's a little unsettling.
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
The reason I'm asking is not because I am too lazy to search, but because it's been a long time (two years or so according to post dates) since those people in the search results have bought/used the Motegi Traklite rims, and I would like to know if they have stood up the test of time and abuse or not. Everything works great the first week you use it, but after the first week all the little things that are problematic manifest themselves. I want to avoid "finding out", because I have a tight budget and don't have much room for "finding out".
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
The reason for going 15x7 instead of 16x7, other than the $400 difference in price, which is the main reason, is the fact that you need 55 profile tires on the 16x7 but you can get away with 60 profile tires on the 15x7. I do want enough sidewall that it offers protection for the rim on subpar Florida roads. Will there be enough sidewall on the 16x7 rims? And yes, I would prefer the 16x7 as well...
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
I dont know anything about Florida roads but if your worried about road conditions a 205/55/16 should be fine. I drive on roads with lots of potholes and im on 225/40/18's.
Your decision though...........205/55/16 is the tire size on factory 16" Cav rims........
Impreza WRX wrote:The reason for going 15x7 instead of 16x7, other than the $400 difference in price, which is the main reason, is the fact that you need 55 profile tires on the 16x7 but you can get away with 60 profile tires on the 15x7. I do want enough sidewall that it offers protection for the rim on subpar Florida roads. Will there be enough sidewall on the 16x7 rims? And yes, I would prefer the 16x7 as well...
I've got 17x7 with 215/45/17 tires and I've gone a month on subpar Florida roads with no problems
Alright, another question: How much more difficult is it to mount 55 profile tires over 60 profile tires?
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
have a shop do it, much easier and very cheap, the if there is any damage, the shop should be paying for it.
they are very easy to mount with the right tools, some 35 series tires are very easy to mount with the right tools as well,
even 225/40zr18 are easy on a tire mounter, or 205/40r17, 245/40r18,
it really depends on the tire, some sidwalls are very stiff, and the shape of it can make a difference as well, some 205/50r16(traction TA's) are a PITA because of the stiffer sidewall.
Impreza WRX wrote:Alright, another question: How much more difficult is it to mount 55 profile tires over 60 profile tires?
uh yeah... just fine
i have 35's on mine... try mounting those suckers
i know im looking at getting a set and i think darkstars is getting a set for the gtc... definitely worth the price imo...
So, from those that purchased Motegi Traklite rims in the past, how have they stood the test of time?
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
Mike Baynton wrote:205/55/16 is the tire size on factory 16" Cav rims........
Can also use 225/50r16's on a 16x7 (just tossing another option out there)
Ya I personally would use the 50's but he was worried about sidewall with 55's
I could always bug Largo Honda about mounting the rims, because they have the right mounting kit. How else could they possibly service cars like the S2000 or the Odyssey or the Civic Si, which uses 45 profile tires and/or flush lip rims?
So, from those that have/had Motegi Traklites, what was/is your experience with them?
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
FYI I bought Traklites back in May and I still haven't gotten them, they are on backorder still and not expected to be in stock ready to go untill September.
but everyone I know who has them loves the, I don't knwo what kind of experiences your hoping to here... they are forged and very lightweight, what else is there to know?
Well, I think I will order from The Tire Rack when I have the money (and they have the stock) because they give you the centering rings and the keyed tuner lugs with the rims. I also did the math on some things.
I weighed my wheel. The Bridgestone Potenza RE910 weighs 19 lbs., and the assembly (with all the air let out) is 37 lbs., meaning that the stock 14" steelie weighs 17 or 18 lbs! The 16x7 Motegi is 13 lbs., and a tire is between 20-23 lbs. in 205/55 R16 size, meaning that the weight savings is 0-4 lbs. per wheel over what I have now.
However, the Kumho Powerstar 758 tires are 17 lbs. each, meaning that I have to shoot for 35 lbs. per wheel. With the 20 lbs. General UHP, I can get a 33 lbs. wheel assembly.
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
its too bad the gunmetal/polished lip arent made in our bolt pattern
I wish they made them in 19" for our cars period. I would snag them as soon as they became available. Gravana lists them on their site but i highly doubt its true.
Impreza WRX wrote:and the assembly (with all the air let out) is 37 lbs., meaning that the stock 14" steelie weighs 17 or 18 lbs!
Damn, I wonder how much more they would weigh with out all the air let out?
I do like those rims, just not the price tag that goes with them!!!
SPD RCR Z -
'02 Z24 420whp
SLO GOAT -
'04 GTO 305whp
W41 BOI -
'78 Buick Opel Isuzu W41 Swap
Anything that's less looks ugly and/or weighs a ton. I don't want to increase the unsprung weight if at all possible.
------------------------------------
We all drive in a yellow Cavalier...
I need your help guys, i'm also looking to buy a set of motegi traklites for my 01 z24 but don't know if buy 16" wheels which is the stock size or go with17" wheels. i'm looking for performance rather than looks. Any suggestions ??
peformance parts for sale!! Click:
http://www.j-body.org/classifieds/engine/62265/
pm darkstars above. he has them sell for a HELL of a price. wheels and tires, 17x8 flat black with falken azenis rt615's
