I am looking into purchasing the RX8, I see most ppl on this board using after market 19" wheels plus. I was wondering if anyone ever use a set of 17 X 7.5 or 8 , this will save quit a bit of weight and should able to use 235/245 tires as well. The only problem I am worrying is will it looks too small for the car? Anyone have a pic of 17" wheels mounted on their car ?

 

I have run 17's all winter and they look just fine. I will switch back to my stock 18's in a month or so but I think the 17's look OK. Since mine have winter tires mounted they definitely don't look as aggressive as the 18's.

 

Browsing here will provide that sort of information

Tech & Performance > Wheels, Tires and Suspension
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/

The search button at the top will provide a more focussed search

 

Here's a good thread on 17" tires with pics:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/finally-pics-winter-wheels-18089/

dag

 

I also run 17" in the winter. I think they look just fine.

 

Good thinking - we've discussed this a few times from a performance aspect, but most of us running 17s are doing it for winter tires. I'd disagree that most people are using aftermarket 19 plus wheels - quite a few are just getting 18s.

You're absolutely right, 17s, wheel for wheel, will be lighter, the 17" tires will be lighter, and performance will be better than 18 or 19" wheels. They're also cheaper!

Below is my RX-8 on 17" winter wheels - these Konig Holes wheels with Toyo Garit HT winter tires were a huge 6 lbs (each corner) lighter than the OEM 18" wheel/tire. I'll actually be sad to put back on the 18" wheels, despite the leagues better grip from the summer tires.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Thanks for the pics and link guys~! Yep, once I pick up the new 8, 17" wheels it is..cheaper tires and cheaper rims..almost half the price of those expensive 19 deep dish ". Plus I test drove the car, and I really don't think there's enough torque to push those heavy 19X9 off the line. It will take quit a bit of power to get them rolling forsure.
The 350Z with the 6 cyclinder and lot of torque can probably be ok with them. But with the RX8, keeping it light is good I think.

 

I kinda feel sorry for you "northerners" having to buy snow wheels and swap them out twice a year. Do you get a snow tire allowance for living up there?

 

No we get to shovel snow.

With the right equipment and frame of mind, driving in the snow can be fun. You can skid around corners, make the car spin, etc. The technical term is "whipping-diddies"; I have heard the term, I don't know if I have ever seen it written. Its not recommended to intentionally whip-diddies on the streets, but empty snow covered parking lots are a good place to learn. By practicing in ~safe parking lots, drivers are ready for the inevitable times when the car breaks traction on snowy roads.

My RX-8 was new when the snow was at its best, so I haven't put it through its paces. The little bit I did, it handled very well in the snow (with snow tires).

Back to the thread, I am using 17" wheels, with Pirelli 210 snow tires. I have never driven this car with the stock tires, and it seems to do quite well, snow, wet, dry with this setup. I am curious to see how it feels with the stock tires.