Rims and a drop.

[briantek]

Hey guys so I just finished installing my audio system and putting on Gen 1 taillights (what an improvement) and this Saturday I’m getting my 20%'s all around. So now I have been looking around at what rims to buy and how to get my car dropped. I went to this place in town that does car modifications and stereo installs (I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere) and they quoted me around $260 to lower the car 1.6 inches with Eibach springs I believe. Is 1.6 inches going to be sufficient enough to see a nice visual improvement with rims and is that price about right for lowering a car? I also really don't know much about rims and I don't have a big selection out here so I’ll be buying online. Can someone explain what size rims our car takes? All I know is I need a 5 lug. Suggestions would be great . I prefer painted silver or chrome and maybe gun metal, I wouldn't buy black rims. I'm going for a luxurious look. BTW I have an 03 in gold. Oh yea the weather has been pretty crappy so I haven't had a good chance to take pictures but hopefully I can post some in the picture section if it isn't too cold.

[BradOwens]

yea a 1.6 inch drop is nice. u'll deff notice. as far as rims check out tirerack.com i got my 17s from there.

[WTF??]

learn some things about rims here: http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=13755
or like brad said go to www.tirerack.com to pick n choose

and yes definately drop it..... PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Akfahad]

use the search function, there's a wealth of information on this subject...it'll just take some time filtering through all the info. I got my rims from rdmwheels.com (I think that's it). Pretty quick delivery and helpful if you have questions.

[JMSinMaryland]

Don't be in a rush to buy rims. Research fitment issues i.e. offset, rim width, tire width and sidewall to maintain speedometer/odometer accuracy, etc. If you are looking for rims I would recommend either tirerack.com or discounttiredirect.com for good prices and good service.
Also research different sizes, I have always stuck with 18's because 20" tires are $$$, most places don't have machines that can mount 20" tires when I need to replace them and most 20" tires are high performance summer and I like a nice all season high performance like the Yokohama Avid H4s in a 225/40 18 with an 18x7.5 45mm offset Konig (Unknowns and Verdicts) that fit both the 99 Camry and 01 Solara both dropped on the TRD suspension. Good luck. Jon.

p.s. I also like these for a gold car

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Where are you located at? depending on where you are located, there may be people who may be able to hook you up on the drop?

[Fletch]

The Eibachs are decent. I assume you have fairly low mileage with a 2003, but consider doing springs/struts (tokico blue's) simulaneously to save on labor. Stock struts will not last forever combined with lowering springs. The install is a pain because the rear mounts are located under the trim and all.

Btw, as long as you do springs/struts a RSB is a neccessity.

[Fresco Bob]

Dropping it alone will make a significant visual improvement. I dropped my car just after I got it and wasn't even planning on getting rims, and it looks wayyyyy better.

You should drop your car right away if youve got the money, then spend your time looking for the exact rims you want and settle for nothing less. Its like having a new car ones its dropped, then another new car after the rims are on, so you dont need to be in a major rush or anything.

[briantek]

Thanks for the links. Helped out a lot. Oh and those gold rims are nice but I couldn't see myself driving with them. Cant wait to get my tints on torromow. BTW im about to upload my pictures in the picture section! Check em out.