brazuca

I'm thinking about getting the TRD 18" wheels for the xB but I'm concerned about the ride quality since it's a daily commuter.
I also would like to know if the Pirelli's are the only option for those rims, any thoughts / experiences ?

Metro273

A friend of mine has the 18" TRDs on his Box and says they ride "OK" BUT his wife says it rides like crap and sounds like the car wants to fall apart when they hit a pothole. I guess I won't be buying 18s, even though the Box NEEDS them cause the 17" wheels just don't look right...

zyton7

Just make sure you don't hit pot holes. i have 18s on my xA (not TRDs though), but with the same size tires as the ones they would give you. they ride nice around corners and grip the road well, but hit a pot hole and it jars the car pretty hard.
I just went to get our yearly PA inspection and they said my TRD shocks were leaking and had to be replaced. i've only had the car for 10 months and the shocks are shot for being jarred so many times.

Carnauba

Sounds like the roads up north are like the ones down south like a slice of swiss cheese. Im running 215/35/19s on my box i have to be very careful. But the way it looks with the 19s I wouldn't have it any other way.

ITSAXA

If i was to do it again........
I would not get 18's ....I would get 19's ! .....They flat out just look great and make the car.

Yes they do ride very bad,and it sounds like bad wheel bearings too,BUT THEY MAKE THE CAR.

AND SAY GOODBYE TO THE CARWASH ...... go ahead and put the rim on that rail and when you come out it will be all scratched up if not a bent beed lip

Get the rims anyway,they look hot on these cars :D

Subcompact Culture

I have 18s (they're actually for sale), and yes, the ride quality isn't as good as the 15s, but they do look nice. Also, the car handles better with the larger contact patch and stiffer sidewalls.

Carnauba

Yes tom is correct on the wheel size . If you are going to get aset of wheels go ahead and get 19s. Yes the trd wheels look awesome . But they are still a factory option wheel so alot of people have them and they are pricey. If you want a real head turner go with a after market 19 and you will not be disappointed

HoTBoX009

You will always get a better ride quality with the stock wheels and tires. If you still want the 18" rims, perhaps get bigger tires instead of low profile ones.

ITSAXA

Maybe theres a Scion owner in your area that could take you out in a car with 18's

gslippy

I test drove identical xBs except for the wheels (since I was considering an RS2.0 with the TRD wheels at the time), and found that I didn't like the ride quality of the 18" as much as the 15", not to mention the pricier tires and pothole issues we have here in the Pittsburgh area. I ended up with a camo with 15" steelies.

If I ever upgrade, it would be to 17". For me, 16" isn't worth the money to do it, and 18" is too far.

Many owners have posted cool photos of their 15" custom wheels and they look great, in my opinion.

bB2NER

If you need to ask. You won't be happy with the ride. Stick with 17" and under and go with a slightly taller tire like 215/45/17. The ride is very near the stockers and the look isn't that different from the 18's. The prices of the tires and wheels are way more reasonable also. Drag wheel makes some nice 17's that resemble the TRD's but with a wider lip. I think they are model DR-2 Drags

cherryBox

^^^ya.

it's bumpy, but I commute 50mi/day and I love my 18s. Just have to watch what you hit, and that prolly makes you a better driver in the long run.

ITSAXA

....gotta love ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-01...31228043QQrdZ1

These are what i have, THEY ARE ON MY CAR !

If you buy them now,You still have time to leave them in the living room
for a few months,before summer, to look at them. (wife will love that)

( hope the link works)

BlkBox

I have 18's and i don't think the ride is that rough at all...She is also lowered and that may have something to do with it...one guy I know didn't lower it and with the stock suspension it was rough....I have 215/35/18 tires on my ADR Demonya's and I greatly enjoy the ride! if ya dont' like the ride with 18's you can always sell them and go back to the stockies and go down to 17's or 16's....

brazuca

Thanks for the replies. I'll go with 15" alloy wheels. I saw a few pictures and they look good (I know, I know, they will never look as good as the 18")

cherryBox

why would you want to lay out cash for 15s? If you're gonna run 15s, why not get some chrome lugs, some center covers, some beauty rings, polish the stockers, and run steelies?

catuned

I got a freind with 18" and he is totaly unhappy. My xb has 16" and it rides smooth. Then again, I would probably get 17" and be happy.

Asahi

so will a 17" rim makes the ride bumpy and low down the car?
coz I'm living in chicago and I don't want my box to clean up the snow for the city...

Subcompact Culture

Personal preference, man. There are a lot of different lookin' 15s out there in a wide variety of widths and offsets.

almesh

If you're talking about getting the 18" TRD's that come with 215/35/18 Pirelli P Zero Nero tires from the dealer, I WOULD NOT. I have a xA that has those tires but 18" Enkei wheels that I bought with care brand new from the dealer.
My wife and I have had 3 tire blowouts on highway since July 2004 when we bought the car. We love the car, the rims make the car, and the ride is not terrible, actually the handling is great, provided that you are on completely smooth road.
I had to swerve to avoid a wrench that flew out of a Big Flatbed Tow truck once and I was surprised how responsive it was. But still, the overall tire damage that I have experienced has been terrible.
To me, 3 tire blowouts in about a year and a half is just CRAZY!