Aluminum Wheels

mkl116 · Post by **mkl116** » Thu May 23, 2002 6:49 am

I received my brochure from Pontiac and all the wheel types aare similar "sawblade" style. The covers, 16 inch and 17 inch all have a similarlook and I think most people agree saw bladess were out of style close to 10 years back. Has anyone seen if other wheel options exist? The 5 spoke wheels in the Motor Trend article looked great!

MA-VIBE-FAN · Post by **MA-VIBE-FAN** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:05 pm

The most commonly mentioned tire/wheel place on the net in http://www.tirerack.com

yank dini · Post by **yank dini** » Tue Jul 02, 2002 1:59 am

You have a lot of options when it comes to wheels for the VIBE. Pretty much this is the only "aftermarket part" in which you have a lot of choices. Just look for wheels with a 5 bolt pattern. Example: I had 18 inch wheels on a 2000 Dodge Stratus SE that I wrecked in MAY those same wheels fit on my VIBE. I put them on the day after I bought it Heres a site that has a list of wheels for the 2003 PONTIAC VIBE: http://www.tires.com Just do me a favor, Please don't get chrome wheels (too expensive and they look cheap on that car) or ENKEI CDR-9's (those are my wheels) Thank you.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 3:38 am

mkl116, Do you mean this Car and Driver article: http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddr ... uevibe.xml And these wheels:If so, I purchased a set of 17x7" Voxx MGR wheels from http://www.tires.com that look exactly the same:
[Modified by NovaResource, 3:37 PM 7/8/2002]

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 5:30 am

Yes, I like the silver wheels better than chrome.

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 12:38 pm

Is the pic of that Vibe with those 17's at stock height with just the wheels added, or is it dropped? Looks good with them!

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 8:57 pm

I'm not sure. It looks to be at stock height but the wheels appear to be 18" (just judging by the space inbetween the inside of the wheel and the rotor).

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:00 pm

Thanks Scott. You said you purchased those but in the 17" size? Do you have them on your Vibe yet? When you do, take some pics.. I would be interested to see them on a Vibe!

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:15 pm

Yes, 17x7". They should be here Friday or Saturday. Don't worry, I'll be taking pics as soon as they are installed and posting them here.As much as I dislike standard wheels and wheel covers on most cars, I have to give credit to Pontiac designers for making a very nice standard wheel cover for the Vibe. They look very much like the 16" aluminum wheel and from 50-ft most people can't tell they aren't aluminum wheels.When I picked up the car and saw them for the first time, I almost regretted ordering the aftermarket wheels....................NOT!

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 9:50 pm

quote:Yes, 17x7". They should be here Friday or Saturday. Don't worry, I'll be taking pics as soon as they are installed and posting them here.I can't wait to see them!quote:As much as I dislike standard wheels and wheel covers on most cars, I have to give credit to Pontiac designers for making a very nice standard wheel cover for the Vibe. They look very much like the 16" aluminum wheel and from 50-ft most people can't tell they aren't aluminum wheels.I will agree with you about the wheel covers! At least they didn't put covers like the new Sunfire's... those things are horrible! More and likely I will get the 16" aluminum wheels with my Vibe and buy aftermarket and swap wheels from winter to summer driving.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 10:38 pm

quote:I will agree with you about the wheel covers! At least they didn't put covers like the new Sunfire's... those things are horrible!You are so right. Those Sunfire wheel covers are bad.quote:More and likely I will get the 16" aluminum wheels with my Vibe and buy aftermarket and swap wheels from winter to summer driving.That's what I will probably do. I debated about saving a little money by just ordering 16" aftermarket wheels and using the stock tires but then I decided to just buy 17" wheels and good performance tires and save the stock 16" tires and steel wheels for winter use.

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 10:57 pm

We get an unpredictable amount of snow each year. Sometimes we get a ton and sometimes it is light. I personally find that All Season tires provide a sufficient amount of traction during that part of the year.The All Season's on my Cavalier are pretty decent.. so I assume the All Season's on the Vibe are comparable in this case.It is just that if I get aftermarket wheels, I won't use them in the winter.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 12:07 am

Ditto. Here in Philadelphia we could get alot of snow or none. However, when we do get snow, it gets cleared fairly quickly. My old '93 Sunbird had 195/65-15 BFG Touring T/A tires and I never had a problem in the snow. My main reason for using the original tires and wheels is the ton of road salt used here. I don't want it tearing up the aluminum wheels.

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 12:13 am

quote:My main reason for using the original tires and wheels is the ton of road salt used here. I don't want it tearing up the aluminum wheels.That's my exact reason too! I'm sure it's the same here as it is there.. not too much of a distance between our two locations. The amount of salt they drop during snowfall is unbelieveable.. that stuff stays on the road forever.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 2:43 am

It must be my lucky day! My wife just called to say my wheels and tires (which were supposed to be delivered on Friday) just arrived today! Woo-hoo! Discount Tires under-promises and over-delivers. What a plesant surprise.Wait, I'm not done. Right after I hung up with her, my dealer called to say my 6-disc in-dash CD player and key fobs also arrived today. I'll pick up the fobs on the way home have have the CD installed either tomorrow or Thursday!I'm going out an buying a lottery ticket!

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 10:59 am

Ok, you asked for pictures of the wheels installed, here they are:
[Modified by NovaResource, 11:39 AM 8/22/2002]

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 11:05 am

Looks awesome Scott! Thanks for posting the pics so fast.What tires did you get for the wheels?

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 11:35 am

The same size as what comes on the optional 17" wheels: 215/50-17. Mine are a set of Falken ZE-502.

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 11:37 am

A very close match. The pre-prod car looks like 18" wheels.
[Modified by NovaResource, 11:39 AM 8/22/2002]

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 11:45 am

Yes, looks very close. Definately like the straight spoke design better than the stock sawblade design.Did you get the 17X7 5-100 38S size wheels?Also, did you buy the tires from tires.com and have them balanced/etc. before shipping? I am curious on how this works.
[Modified by NSimkins, 10:47 PM 7/9/2002]

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:00 pm

quote:Did you get the 17X7 5-100 38S size wheels?Exactly.quote:Also, did you buy the tires from tires.com and have them balanced/etc. before shipping? I am curious on how this works.Yes. I also paid an extra $40 ($10 per wheel) for locking lugnuts and chrome valve stems. The wheels were mounted, balanced and delivered directly to my home at no cost. It was a simple unbolt and replace.The wheels come shipped with a sheet of foam and cardboard on either side of the rim to protect it during shipping. The cardboard was held in place by 4 nylon straps per wheel and a bunch of packing tape. Only the tread was exposed. Plus they were delivered 3 days early. I ordered then Friday (7/5) and they were here Tuesday (7/9). Very impressive.
[Modified by NovaResource, 8:02 AM 7/10/2002]

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:11 pm

$1,124. No bad when you consider the stock 17" wheels are a $1,300 option ($800 for the wheels and $500 for the required ABS).

Post by **NSimkins** » Tue Jul 09, 2002 9:32 pm

Definately a good price.. and considering the service you have had with tires.com, I'm sure it makes it all worth it.You get better looking wheels than the stock 17's and save money in the process.

der125 · Post by **der125** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 10:42 am

I agree, nice wheels?I bought the GT with the sunroof and I'm now looking for 17" wheels. Does anyone know how much the OEM 17" wheel weighs? If anyone has this wheel, can you stand on a scale with the wheel? Please!! I don't want to buy 17" wheels that weigh more than the OEM 17".--Desperate for 17in

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 5:23 am

quote:Ok, you asked for pictures of the wheels installed, here they are:I'm also looking for a replacement wheel to replace the steel 16's that will come on mine (if I ever get it), and your Vibe looks great, but what really caught my eye was the Nova SS behind it.... What's below the cowl induction hood?Later,Carl

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Wed Jul 17, 2002 10:42 am

You mean this one:My signature lists what's under the hood and how quick it is. Here's all the rolling stock:
[Modified by NovaResource, 11:40 AM 8/22/2002]

cohocarl · Post by **cohocarl** » Thu Jul 18, 2002 6:28 pm

Looks Cool!!. My project car is an 85 C-4. Needs paint bad. Trying to get the mechanicals done first though. Haven't taken it to a strip since I changed motors, but it's a little better than stock. (flat top pistons, 882 heads, C.C. 268H cam, siamesed intake base, true duals w/Hooker aerochambers)See Ya,Carl
[Modified by cohocarl, 10:28 AM 7/19/2002]

Campbell · Post by **Campbell** » Mon Jul 29, 2002 5:18 am

My Silver base vibe has the stock 17" aluminum wheels - looks the same as yours.By the way, any idea what the tire coating is that the dealers put on? It seems like a heavy cosmoline or underbody tar - it made a real mess of my wheels and the sides of my brand new Vibe. I got some on my toes when I washed my car and it won't come off.

Lori19 · Post by **Lori19** » Mon Jul 29, 2002 11:49 am

Scott, your Nova is beautiful!
[Modified by Lori19, 10:51 PM 7/29/2002]

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Mon Jul 29, 2002 9:55 pm

Thanks Lori. A friend of mine pointed out that I must have a "V" fetish. Vibe, Voyager and NoVa. Also, all 3 are painted SilVer. LOL!
[Modified by NovaResource, 8:56 AM 7/30/2002]

Jwnmt · Post by **Jwnmt** » Fri Aug 09, 2002 10:26 am

Hey NovaResource, About 12 years ago I had a 65 Chevy II Nova, that was bright pink. I believe that it originally had the 6 with the powerglide transmission. When we bought it had a 350 with a 4 on the floor. What a car for a 17 year old. Anyway, we had to sell when I went to college and I miss the damn thing to this day. Now I am waiting for my vibe GT which should be here next week. Thanks for the link to the nova site, I don't see very many Chevy IIs around and seeing pics of them makes me remember the good old day!! Jon

Aluminum Wheels

Aluminum Wheels

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