Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Wheel and tire information and upgrade discussions
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Chiadog
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Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Please list which 15" rims you have run on a base Vibe and what modifications were needed. Center bore spacers, wheel adapters, lug nuts, etc.
Toyota-Scion 15" wheels are the only direct fit I am aware of. 90's Suburu Legacy wheels won't clear the calipers in front. 90ish VW Jetta wheels require center bore spacers and have larger lug bolt holes: 14mm VW vs 12mm Vibe.
Wheel guide (note: Vibe center bore listing is incorrect @ 57.1mm, actual 54.1mm.) :
http://adaptitusa.com/referencebook.htm
KITT222
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by KITT222 »

The 15's I run for winter are aftermarket, but were destined originally for a PT Cruiser. I don't used hub spacers on them.
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Thanks Kitt!
Good to know its possible to run without center bore adapters. I'll note that Vibes and PT cruisers use the same size lug nuts. Do you notice any difference in ride quality?
Any others running off-size wheels with or without spacers/adapters, etc?
Thanks,
KITT222
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by KITT222 »

Oh yes there's a difference. Mainly because I have winter tires mounted to the 15's. As far as ride comfort, it wasn't quite as plush as you'd think, but there was a lot more body roll due to the large sidewall. Basically, compared to the 17's I have, they had more body roll, and liked bumps a little better. That's really it. Smaller diameter rims wont give you Cadillac levels of smooth.
dgekiere
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by dgekiere »

I am running 15 inch steel wheels on the rally car from 92 to 94 ish Chrysler lebaron no bore spacers. They have been fine so far for racing.... got them for 10 bucks a peice at the junkyard
2003 VIBE GT, CONVERTING TO RALLY CAR. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=463112004 vibe gt magnaflow catback exhaust (bought totaled 9/06 with 1600 miles, fixed it and in love ever since2004 HONDA CBR1000RRASE Master certified mechanic
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

That's a great price from a junkyard!
$6.00 hub-centric ring set may be cheap insurance on a rally car!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VEHICLE-54-1-WH ... 5d2fca2aa3
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Anyone running 15", 16", or 17" aftermarket alloys or OEM alloys from other brands? It is hard to know which wheels will fit the 05 base Vibe just from the specs on a website. I found some Subaru alloys that fit the wheel studs, but interfered with the brake calipers. Thanks for any input. :)
GTwannabe
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by GTwannabe »

I was thinking about putting 15s on. I see plenty of miata's running them, and have read up on the preformance hype.

Car and Driver actually did a review of rim sizes here.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/ef ... res-tested" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

15s are .3 faster than 18s in 0-60, and that is with cheap rubber on the 15s compared to performance on the 18s.

Please post your rim discoveries!
Kendrick Lamar agrees... Keep your Vibe alive and well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF8aaTu2kg0
KITT222
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by KITT222 »

15's flatter nobody.... Save yourself!

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bikes1
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by bikes1 »

I haven't yet but I hope to be running 15" snows next week. 2005 Vibe, base model.

I researched online, couldn't find much, went to Active Green & Ross in London and they had a listing for it. Corolla rims. Proper offset and hub centric so they should be a direct fit.

I looked up part numbers and the rotors,pads and hub bearings are all the same between the Corolla and Matrix and Vibe.

Let y'all know how well the fit for sure next week I hope.
jake75
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by jake75 »

I assume the actual outside diameter of the tires are the same, so no impact on the mph reading. It seems logical to me that a more tire /less rim would be a smoother ride.
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
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bikes1
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by bikes1 »

Yep. :-) 2005 Vibe, base model.

Just came back from Active Green & Ross in London and I'm now running steel 15" rims with 195/65R15 snows. The overall diameter is the same, or within a couple percent of, the original 205/55R16 tires.

The rims are listed as an alternate in their catalogue and are for a Corolla. The Green and Ross part number is X42551 and they are hub centric rims, not universal rims. The offset is correct, can't remember exactly what it was.

Makes sense. I looked up part numbers for pads and for rotors and for front wheel bearings and they are the same for the '05 Corolla and the '05 Matrix.

I can't say whether the ride is better or worse. I had worn out 16" summer tires and now I have new Uniroyal snows. Apples and oranges.

Anyhoo, there was no problem getting or finding the rims and 195/65 15 tires are plentiful and cheaper than the 16" tires.

I'm happy.

Cheers
Peter
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

bikes1 wrote:Yep. :-) 2005 Vibe, base model.
Just came back from Active Green & Ross in London and I'm now running steel 15" rims with 195/65R15 snows. The overall diameter is the same, or within a couple percent of, the original 205/55R16 tires.
Congrats! I'm jealous. That's the size I want to run, if I ever find rims.
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Does anyone know if Chev Cavalier wheels will fit gen1 base Vibes?
Thanks,
KITT222
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by KITT222 »

Chevy Cavalier rims should fit. They are the same bolt pattern, and I've seen some Z24 rims on Vibes before. Maybe find some Prius rims. They're boring, sure, but they're pretty darn light.
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Thanks for the information Kitt222, I plan to look at a set of cavalier alloys tomorrow.
binder
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by binder »

Chiadog wrote:Thanks for the information Kitt222, I plan to look at a set of cavalier alloys tomorrow.
Just got a set of 08 Corolla 195.65.15' winter tires for my 06 vibe, no problem with the fit and ride so far.
KITT222
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by KITT222 »

That's the size I have on my Vibe for my winter set up in that picture up there.
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bikes1
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by bikes1 »

2005 Base Vibe. I'm using 2005 Corolla rims, which are the 15" size. Gotta be tons of Corollas in the wreckers.
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

bikes1 wrote:2005 Base Vibe. I'm using 2005 Corolla rims, which are the 15" size. Gotta be tons of Corollas in the wreckers.
Definitely Tons of Corolla's. But they are asking $250 - $350 per set of four, and I won't pay that. So I am still looking.
What did you pay for your 15" wheels, Bikes1?
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bikes1
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by bikes1 »

Sorry for the late reply. I paid $60/rim for new aftermarket hub centric rims.
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Chiadog
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Re: Are U running /have U run 15" wheels???

Post by Chiadog »

Thanks Bikes1,
I am now running a set of Chrysler Cirrus 15" rims which is working out well!
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