Wheel upgrade on a 1991 Legacy Wagon

[Soobster]

I am looking to upgrade my tire/wheel combination on my 91 Legacy wagon. I really like the look of the Prodrive P1 (17x7) or the OEM Legacy GT wheels (16x6.5). Both of the wheels should have the necessary +52 offset.

However, I have been told that anything bigger than a 15" wheel is going to rub if the car is loaded down. So now there is some doubt in my mind as to whether I can run the larger wheels, which I think would look and handle much better. I have the stock springs and plan to stay with them, ie. not planning on lowering this vehicle.

Has anyone had experience/problems running 16" or larger wheels on an early model wagon?

Also, what tire size(s) would you recommend to avoid problems?

[tris91ricer]

many people here, including wagons, run the stock WRX 16s with no problem.
try running a 205/50/whateverrimsizeyouchoose
Fixing your understeer.. well, that involves both suspension work, lightening the front end, and of course, driver work.
Get a set of KYB AGXs to start off with, but you're gonna want to replace your stock springs, lowering or not. It's a good first step in modding your car, even though you're gonna want to be obsessed with making gobs of power.

Welcome to the board, we're glad you're here.
Feel free to search any of our topics, and browsing around certainly won't hurt, either..

Good luck!

[Soobster]

Thank you very much. I have been learning alot from this forum.

I was planning on replacing my tired struts with some GR-2s and had been thinking about changing springs at the same time.

I'll post a question about my spring/strut questions in the suspension section some time.

There is currently a bid running on ebay for some 16" WRX wheels that look pretty sharp. What do you think a set of WRX wheels should go for? they are supposedly in brand new condition.

[jamal]

I paid $200 for mine. Tires were like new (<2000mi), no scratches at all on the wheels. $250 is still reasonable, I'd pay $300 if it included shipping. There was that set that went for like $700 on e-bay awhile back. Check out the nasioc and i-club and clubwrx classifieds. I'd try to find some locally so you don't have to pay for shipping. If you're coming from a crappy 185-70-14, you'll find the RE-92s a huge improvement, even though everyone says they suck.

Ha ha this guy paid $560

[Soobster]

Whhhhhew!

Thanks, I was actually about to pay $610 + shipping.

HA! Not now.

I am currently running 185/70R14 Auora's with studs (I'm sure this is about as bad as it can get) and the car has a really mean understeer to the point where if a friend drives the car (on the road) they will always say "Whoa.....! What the %$#& is wrong with this thing. It is getting kind of embarrassing. I needed the studs to get around this winter and actually the car does phenomenal in the snow and mud.

[evolutionmovement]

$610?! Forester flat 5-spokes are cheaper than that and lighter to boot. I have 205 50 16 Kumho ECSTA 711s. They are cheap and grip well, but don't bother if you have snow around unless you have an extra set of tires.

Steve

[jamal]

yeah, but he would have been buying brand new wheels, still in Subaru boxes. I guess that might count for something. I'm perfectly happy with my used wheels and tires, though.

[evolutionmovement]

Well, if you want brand new, then that's a good deal compared to the dealer.

Steve

[Soobster]

Good advice, all around.

I'm picking up a pair of '04 WRX wheels with tires this weekend from a fellow in LA for $300. I'm stoked on that deal, can't wait to get them mounted and check out the new feel and look.

I may wait a while though as Mr. Winter may dump another load of snow on our heads and my studs love that stuff.

I must say that I am very very happy with this car and how it handles in the snow and ice. I have driven faster in the snow than I ever thought safe and it is so very fun, especially when you head full on into a snow bank and the car just sits up on the undercarrage and sleds along. I have to post some pictures of my snowbound commutes.

Peace. Subaru people are good people.