Got a Package Today

[kagenmateer]

Rota G-Force 17X8 in Gunmetal wrapped in Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Starpec 225/45's
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_0992.jpg

:naughty:

[Dookie]

NICE!!!:tup: Those look awesome!

Need pics once installed.

[kagenmateer]

^^^ Wasn't planning on running them until Spring, but now that they're sitting there, I won't be able to resist. I'll prolly throw 'em on Sunday.

[havanisda]

I got a package everyday. :lol:

Doze wheels r purdy. :tup:

[john]

I think I need some of wheels. Were they pricey?

[TSi+WRX]

Oooooohhhhh, yummy!

[Dookie]

I got a package everyday. :lol:


I bet you play with it everyday too.:lol:

[kagenmateer]

Thx for the kind words gents!

Wheels were $700. Tires $670. Spline lugs $80. Free shipping.

[havanisda]

I bet you play with it everyday too.:lol:Except when your wife visits on the weekends. :D

[havanisda]

Thx for the kind words gents!

Wheels were $700. Tires $670. Spline lugs $80. Free shipping.Seems high 4 the tires.

[havanisda]

$550 shipped from Tire Rack.

[Dookie]

Except when your wife visits on the weekends. :D

Please take her for the rest of the week. :rofl:

[havanisda]

OK u just keep the kids.

I don't want it 2 get awkward 4 them. :lol:

[scooby05lgt]

nice!!! direzzas are pricy tho....cant run those round here.. too much rain and snow.

[Dookie]

OK u just keep the kids.

I don't want it 2 get awkward 4 them. :lol:

No, the package comes with the kids. I'll even pay for the shipping.

[havanisda]

There's no shipping cost. She's driving the Acadia here. :lol:

[john]

I could probably go look it up somewhere, but what's the offset of our wheels? I'm giving serious consideration to a set of these for non-winter wheels.

[havanisda]

Keep in mind John IMO it's gonna look like a$$ cuz your not lowered.

[blk2.5GT]

I got these from my friend for $250! http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:orkg7L64Z6laRM:http://www.vrechise.com/images/IMG_9797a.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vrechise.com/images/IMG_9797a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.buscape.com.uy/rin-para-automoviles--orderby-prec.html%3Fflagonline%3D1%26esel%3D1&usg=__IKkN3_QZRLaIn-2ILiHPGZwPfpw=&h=667&w=800&sz=499&hl=en&start=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=orkg7L64Z6laRM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Damp%2Btsukuba%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26tb s%3Disch:1)

[blk2.5GT]

lol....i copied and pasted the pic of the rims and this damn link showed up...anyway they are Amp Tsukubas 18x8's...I need rubber but i dont know what to get. any suggestions for around $650?

[havanisda]

lI need rubber but i dont know what to get. any suggestions for around $650?

U can get a lot cheaper than that.
Here's Tire Racks' prices in 225/40/18:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?filtering=true&width=225/&ratio=40&diameter=18

[john]

Keep in mind John IMO it's gonna look like a$$ cuz your not lowered.

Not really - I even think the stock wheels & height look good.

[TSi+WRX]

lol....i copied and pasted the pic of the rims and this damn link showed up...anyway they are Amp Tsukubas 18x8's...I need rubber but i dont know what to get. any suggestions for around $650?

The last budget-performance tires article by C&D was a really good one:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q2/tire_test_nine_affordable_summer_tires_take_on_the _michelin_ps2-comparison_tests

Note the benchmark.

Also note how the Azenis fell to the side.

If I were in your shoes, for this summer, I'd either go with the Kumho XS if wet traction is not what you need - or otherwise go with Hankook V12 or the Dunlop Star Spec.

Other possible contenders would be the new-last-season Hankook RS-3, or, since they're being phased out, if you can find a good deal, the RS-2.

Take-off RE050s would be a good budget choice, too.

[kagenmateer]

I paid a little more for the tires because they mounted and balanced them and they showed up ready to bolt on. I didn't have to load wheels and tires into my car and take them somewhere and pay (and wait) to get them done. They showed up plug and play. Also, the special price at TireRack just started :(

[kagenmateer]

On to the review and some pics...

I went from Proxys4 to these Starspecs, and immediately noticed that they handle bumps in the road a bit better...overall they just felt softer (because they are). Also, the difference in grip is significant enough that I feel like the car just received a slight brake upgrade. I had hoped to have a noticeable difference here, and was quite pleased when I did! This was just stopping at the stop-sign at the end of my street before they were even warm yet.
I took it easy on the drive tonight because I figured I'll let the tires cool a couple times before I start hitting corners, so my cornering review will have to come later. I did notice that they're a little quieter than the Proxys, and just from the few corners I had to take, they already feel much more responsive.
Anyway, on to some pics! (car is filthy, I know)...
Going from Stock 17X7 with 215/45's to 17X8 with 225/45's


Before:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_0996.jpg
After:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_1002.jpg



In transition:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_1001.jpg



Before:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_0997.jpg
After:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_1006.jpg



Before:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_0998.jpg
After:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_1004.jpg



Before:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_0999.jpg
After:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x312/kagenmateer/Suby/IMG_1003.jpg

[havanisda]

I thought u have Tarmac 1 coilovers.

Why does it look like u have stock height fender gap.

Or do u have it cranked up 4 the winter months?

[TSi+WRX]

Also, the difference in grip is significant enough that I feel like the car just received a slight brake upgrade. I had hoped to have a noticeable difference here, and was quite pleased when I did! This was just stopping at the stop-sign at the end of my street before they were even warm yet.
I took it easy on the drive tonight because I figured I'll let the tires cool a couple times before I start hitting corners, so my cornering review will have to come later. I did notice that they're a little quieter than the Proxys, and just from the few corners I had to take, they already feel much more responsive.

What's the temperatures in Boise these days? ;) Wait 'till it gets warm, and also once your tires have scrubbed-off their mold-release (somewhere around 300 to 500 miles usually does it).

The difference from your Proxes4s will be drastic. :tup:

[kagenmateer]

I do have the T1s. I'm a little over an inch lower than stock. This is to maintain ride quality.

And TSi- I'm def looking forward to it.

[Dookie]

Looks killer mang, the black rims goes well with your tinted windows. Don't worry what Havanisda comment about your ride height, I can tell it's lower than stock.:lol:

[havanisda]

Trust me, he's worried. :)

[Dookie]

.....:p

[ScoobyDoobie]

Those wheels look really good on there. I think if you smoked the tails and painted the chrome on the grill black it would be looking mean as hell!

[john]

Damnit - I'm gonna have to get me some of those wheels.

[Dookie]

Do eet!

[kagenmateer]

Do eet!

And I plan on smoking the tails, but I hadn't thought about going all black with the grill. The chrome matches the hl's, so I dunno. What does everybody else think about that? I kinda like the chrome ring on the grille.

[Dookie]

186 the chrome on the grill, because you don't have anything else on the car that's chrome. IMO, it would look better being all black.


Here's mine with chrome....
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7d731b3127ccec240b23cf80d00000010O00AZtHDZo1bt2 IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


And now without chrome...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7d731b3127ccec2408ea6f88900000010O00AZtHDZo1bt2 IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Side angle...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7d731b3127ccec2416199981500000010O00AZtHDZo1bt2 IPbz4S/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[havanisda]

I like the color-matched grills. Here's a link 2 my gallery if u haven't seen it.

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=43

[TSi+WRX]

To me, the chrome - how much of it you retain - is a very personal call.

I blacked out the "winglets" on my '05's factory grill, but kept the chrome ring, which I feel better reflects the family-sedan character of this vehicle, as well as helps it integrate somewhat with both the remaining headlamp and tail-lamp chrome that I have (just the reflectors) and various badges on mine (chrome/Cherry-Blossom "STi" badges from an older generation of STis, and the OEM JDM "Tuned by STi" badges, which also carries a bit of chrome).

To each his own. :) I like the wire-mesh look, too - and also the OEM JDM BL-STi hex-beehive, both of which I think adds a more aggressive character to the car; but I wanted my car to retain more of the "family car" side, too. :)

[kagenmateer]

My dilemma is that a new bumper is on the list. One that will include the grille. So mine is long-term-temporary if that makes sense.

[blk2.5GT]

Lookin' good guys...I can't wait to get my rims. The black with the chrome lips are going to look sweet with my osbian black paint. Ill post some pics as soon as I get em on. We are having a lot of snow this winter so I'll probably wait till the salt and pot holes clear up. God only knows how long until then!

[brilliant sleeper]

Looks great! I had the black and red theme on my last car. Best combo there is IMO. Nice stance on the car, too. Where did you get that rear lip spoiler from, or is it more of a DIY?

[blk2.5GT]

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=585&stc=1&d=1267237640http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=588&stc=1&d=1267237640http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=590&stc=1&d=1267237843http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=591&stc=1&d=1267237843http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=587&stc=1&d=1267237640http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=594&stc=1&d=1267237843http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=592&stc=1&d=1267237843http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=593&stc=1&d=1267237843http://www.legacygt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=589&stc=1&d=1267237640

[blk2.5GT]

Japanparts.com has awesome stuff! Now if I could only hit the lottery...

[kagenmateer]

^^^ Yeah, I'm goin' for the Albero, most likely.