2005 Solara wheel question

[GROG]

Can anybody tell me for a fact whether or not a 16" wheel and tire package will fit on a 2005 SE Sport edition? I just picked up my new solara and want to get some snows. The car came with the 17" alloys, but would like to get a 16" cheap wheel and tire package for winter because it'll be a lot less expensive and I won't have to pay for mounting and balancing twice a year. So I call Tirerack and they say according to their computer, a 16" wheel won't fit the 'Sport' package equipped cars. I asked the person in parts at the Toyota dealership when I picked up the car and she said her computer wasn't listing any different part number for either brake rotor or caliper for the 'sport' version as opposed to the 4 cylinder SE/SLE, so she 'thought' they would fit (but to be honest, she really didn't sound too sure). I obviously won't be able to send them back to tirerack if I order them and they don't fit, so I thought I'd turn to you guys.

Any help? I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks!

[boaclub923]

Can anybody tell me for a fact whether or not a 16" wheel and tire package will fit on a 2005 SE Sport edition? I just picked up my new solara and want to get some snows. The car came with the 17" alloys, but would like to get a 16" cheap wheel and tire package for winter because it'll be a lot less expensive and I won't have to pay for mounting and balancing twice a year. So I call Tirerack and they say according to their computer, a 16" wheel won't fit the 'Sport' package equipped cars. I asked the person in parts at the Toyota dealership when I picked up the car and she said her computer wasn't listing any different part number for either brake rotor or caliper for the 'sport' version as opposed to the 4 cylinder SE/SLE, so she 'thought' they would fit (but to be honest, she really didn't sound too sure). I obviously won't be able to send them back to tirerack if I order them and they don't fit, so I thought I'd turn to you guys.

Any help? I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks!

um, dont' play around with ur tires' size, unless u wanna kill the tire pressure sensor...
i suggest u dont' mess around with tires unless u r export of tires~
cause, once u check the size of wheels or type of tires,
it requires different maintance and inspection.
so, don't mess it around and keep origianl size...
in fact, i don't think solara will look good if u change it to "smaller" wheels.
the car is huge already, and huge car doesn't look nice with small tires~

[Astro]

You won't be able to get an exact match, but check this site out for accuracy.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[DocJohn]

I agree with BIGMILTDOG...
Why even bother with 16" wheels when you can pick up a set of OE 17" wheels on e-bay for about $300 and mount your snows on them.
See: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 7949553252

How much less money are these 16" wheels going to cost you than this? Or better yet, buy some NICE 18", 19" or 20" wheels and use your current 17's for snows.

[GROG]

Mainly because 16" wheels are cheaper and the 16" tires are cheaper. For 4 months out of the year I'm more concerned with traction than looks. Doesn't make sense to buy nice wheels to run in the winter. I live in upstate NY and they use salt on the roads like it's going out of style. I ordered one 16" steel wheel from tirerack to see if it'll fit (haven't received it yet). If it does, then I'll order the other 3, if not, then it cost me $50 to get my answer.

[Astro]

Mainly because 16" wheels are cheaper and the 16" tires are cheaper. For 4 months out of the year I'm more concerned with traction than looks. Doesn't make sense to buy nice wheels to run in the winter. I live in upstate NY and they use salt on the roads like it's going out of style. I ordered one 16" steel wheel from tirerack to see if it'll fit (haven't received it yet). If it does, then I'll order the other 3, if not, then it cost me $50 to get my answer.

It will fit. Just check the link I posted above for the closest tire size match.

[DocJohn]

Mainly because 16" wheels are cheaper and the 16" tires are cheaper. For 4 months out of the year I'm more concerned with traction than looks. Doesn't make sense to buy nice wheels to run in the winter. I live in upstate NY and they use salt on the roads like it's going out of style. I ordered one 16" steel wheel from tirerack to see if it'll fit (haven't received it yet). If it does, then I'll order the other 3, if not, then it cost me $50 to get my answer.

I understand your needs better now. My parents live in Geneva, NY and I was visiting them just 2 weeks ago so can appreciate your (snow) situation.
I didn't realize you just wanted to use an inexpensive ($50) steel wheel for your snows. If cost is a major consideration, then I agree you're on the right track. I hope the 16" wheel from the tirerack works for you and then you can get your 215/60R16" snows.

[GROG]

Astro, thanks for the link, I already had it bookmarked, I use it all the time.

I hope the steel wheel fits too as the 215/60/16 tire size is almost exact dimensions for the stock 215/55/17 (off by less than half mph at 60). Once I get the wheel, I'll let you guys know incase anyone else has the same question.

P.S. another reason to go 16" is there are more snow tire choices in the 16" tire size.

[Mole]

wouldn't it also be reasonable to drop down to p205 for width?

although it would not look that good on the car, it would perform better right? perform better in a sense that it will not cover as much contact area which may lead to snow throwing off traction.

[jsie]

I just passed chain required snow storm two weekend ago in Tahoe area. Road had heavy snow & ice. Chained-up the 17"OE tires; and turns out the car has good clearance for tire chains. It was abt 4 inches of snow on the road w/ some road area has abt 8 inches (at least what I would say from my best estimate). Chains works well and pass the heavy stormy area (~20mi long) w/o any problem.

With that much clearance in Solara, I would just keep using 17" and carry chains in the trunk. Or, if riding on winter tire is prefered; I just get another 17" OE at eBay. I personally don't think those steelies will save a lot of money.

[Shoe]

jsie!! Chains??????

What kinda snow was this? I cant even imagine using chains on 4 inches not even 8. Is that common in your area? We arnt even allowed to use chains here because they distroy the roads.

wow im just blown away by this.

Shoe

[GROG]

No chains allowed in NY, yeah, 4 inches here and it's not even close to a big deal, we just got 14" last saturday.

[jsie]

jsie!! Chains??????

What kinda snow was this? I cant even imagine using chains on 4 inches not even 8. Is that common in your area? We arnt even allowed to use chains here because they distroy the roads.

wow im just blown away by this.

Shoe

I am a skier and pass snow storm usually a few times a year. Last storm was the worse I believe in 40 yrs. So it was really bad. That trip was on my way back from ski area and Caltran close the mountain top so we have to go to overnight in Reno area instead of going back toward the Bay Area.

Snow storm in Siera Nevada was quite common. One time i was driving right behind the snow plower; and with the amount of snow pouring down, the road already covered with snow between the plower & my car.

Chain required is quite common there; I usually have to put the chain a couple times each season. Before, I even used to drive a lowered Celica with tire chains.

[michaels artic frost]

jsie!! Chains??????

What kinda snow was this? I cant even imagine using chains on 4 inches not even 8. Is that common in your area? We arnt even allowed to use chains here because they distroy the roads.

wow im just blown away by this.

Shoe

I am a skier and pass snow storm usually a few times a year. Last storm was the worse I believe in 40 yrs. So it was really bad. That trip was on my way back from ski area and Caltran close the mountain top so we have to go to overnight in Reno area instead of going back toward the Bay Area.

Snow storm in Siera Nevada was quite common. One time i was driving right behind the snow plower; and with the amount of snow pouring down, the road already covered with snow between the plower & my car.

Chain required is quite common there; I usually have to put the chain a couple times each season. Before, I even used to drive a lowered Celica with tire chains.

^^^WOW!!!^^^