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Honda Civic: How to Choose Aftermarket Wheels

This article will help you pick out the right set of aftermarket wheels, no matter what your style preference or budget is.

By Brett Foote - April 1, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Civic/Del Sol (1992-2000).

A new set of wheels is quite simply one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your Civic stand out from the millions of others out there on the roads today. The good and bad news is that there are literally thousands of options to chose from. While it's great to have choices in life, where do you even begin to look? We're going to break down the most important aspects of picking out a new set of wheels to make that choice a lot easier.

Materials Needed

  • Tire iron
  • Jack and jack stands

Step 1 – How much do you want to spend?

Like almost every purchase in life, the limits of what you can spend on a set of wheels are limited only by the depths of your pockets. A new set of wheels can cost anywhere from $300 for a cheap set all the way up to thousands of dollars for some race-ready wheels. If you're on a budget, a set of used wheels can save you 30% or more off the cost of new, if you can live with potential blemishes. While quality will generally cost you more, there are some good options in the middle of our price range, and you can realistically pick up a set of good wheels for less than $1,000. But when you are shopping, buyer beware: cheaper wheels are often composed of heavier, cheaper materials. Make sure to check out online reviews and forum opinions before you take the plunge.

Figure 1. Prices will vary, but you can find a good set of wheels for a reasonable price.

Step 2 – Pick out a color

What kind of overall look are you going for? Do you want a set of black wheels to match your black paint, or do you want a contrasting color? Or maybe you would prefer chrome or an aluminum type finish. Your color choices are completely wide open, whether you buy a set already painted or get a set with a custom color added on later. Black goes good with pretty much any color (including black), but other popular combinations include red on white or silver, dark or light gray with pretty much any color, or even green with black.

Figure 2. This green/black combination is both stunning and unique.

Step 3 – What size wheel is best?

As a Civic owner, you obviously aren't going to stick a set of 22" wheels under your ride, mostly because it's impossible. Unless you raise up the suspension and...well...we won't go there. 15" are the most common, and look just fine under a small car like the Civic, filling up the wheel wells nicely. 16" are doable but are a much tighter fit. There are plenty of Civics out there with 17" wheels, and they look great, but expect clearance issues. The general consensus is that 15" are the best overall for weight/clearance.

Figure 3. 15x7 Volk wheels on a 1992 Honda Civic CX fill the wheel wells nicely.

Step 4 – What are your goals?

Do you want a set of wheels that simply look awesome, or are you an aspiring weekend warrior at the local autocross track? Maybe you are only interested in building a show car, in which case silly things like clearance and rubbing don't matter. The point here is that your decision will hinge largely on what your intended purpose for the car is. If you want to win trophies, you will be spending money on flashiness, not capability. If you have racing aspirations, you will want a lighter wheel that allows you to mount a wider set of tires. Be honest about how you will use the car before you drop the money on a set of wheels, or you might be listing them on Craigslist two weeks later when they don't fit your needs.

Figure 4. Show or go? Pick a set of wheels that fit your intended purpose for the car.

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