I, thinking of going 16 * 7 or 16 * 8. Prob rota slips on a 2000 civic coupe. Car is about 2in lower in the front and 1.75 in the back. Is 8 too wide?? Also what size tire... I know to go with either a 45 or 50 profile. My biggest question is whats the widest i can go? I want the best traction possible. ALso what offset??
If anyone has any tire recomendations, let me hear them... Im lookin for a good all round performer, wet/dry. I wont have the rims on in the winter so snow doesnt matter.

Thanks

 

Get 16x7.

Yes.

Depending on which model Civic Coupe you have, it came with 185/65-14 or 195/55-15 tires. In either case, the best size tire for your car is 205/45-16.

Yes, it matters.

For the best traction possible, concentrate on getting the best tires in that size, rather than getting wider tires in a size that's not suitable for your car. A better tire in a narrower size will give you better traction than a lower-performance tire in a wider size. So - except when you are getting R compound tires specifically for track use - just get the best tires that your budget can afford, in the proper size for your car, which is 205/45-16. And 16x7 is the proper wheel size for 205/45-16 tires.

I recommend the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 for great performance. It comes in the 205/45-16 size. Feel free to read the rest of this post if you're interested in a more detailed explanation.

Let's start by taking a step back for an overview. Think of tires across a spectrum from the stickiest, fastest-wearing tires to the less sticky, longer-lasting tires, and you come out with a list that looks like this, starting with the stickiest and working down from there:

1. Drag Radials: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial (won't last very long)

2. Other R Compound Tires: Hoosier R3S04 and A3S05, Toyo RA-1, etc (typical treadlife 2-4K miles)

3. Specialty Super-Sticky Street Tires: Falken Azenis RT-615 (typical treadlife 10K miles)

4. Best Top-of-the-Line Street Tires: Goodyear F1 GS-D3, Bridgestone S-03, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, etc (typical treadlife 15-25K miles)

5. "Value" Top-of-the-Line Street Tires: Toyo T-1R, Kumho Ecsta MX (typical treadlife 15-25K miles)

6. Budget Performance, "Bang for the Buck" Tires: Yokohama AVS ES100, Kumho Ecsta SPT, Dunlop Direzza DZ101, etc (typical treadlife 25-40K miles)

7. All-season tires: Kumho Ecsta ASX, Pirelli PZero Nero M+S, etc (typical treadlife 25-50K miles)

For many folks who have cars close to stock and who don't go to the track, the "budget performance tires" (category 6 on the list) is perfectly fine. But if you go to the track, and/or if you have a high-horsepower application, and/or you want to get the best traction possible, then you really want to move up this list for better performance. For your Civic and your desire for the best traction possible, I would recommend something in categories 4-5. (The Falken Azenis RT-615 in category 3 doesn't come in your size.) You really ought to get something at least as good as category 5, and preferably category 4. Remember, tires are even more important than power mods, because they affect not only your acceleration, but also your braking and cornering/handling. Tires are not the place to try to save money if performance is your top priority.

Here are tires you might consider, in that 205/45-16 size, and are IMHO the best tires you'll find in each category:

4. Best Top-of-the-Line Street Tires:
Goodyear F1 GS-D3 $131 from the Tire Rack

5. "Value" Top-of-the-Line Street Tires:
Toyo T1-R $105 from onlinetires.com

6. Budget Performance, "Bang for the Buck" Tires:
Yokohama AVS ES100 $82 from the Tire Rack
Kumho Ecsta SPT $75 from the Tire Rack

It's worth noting that the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 won the comparison test of eleven top-of-the-line tires in the current (December) issue of Car and Driver. (The Falken wasn't included and the Kumho came in last.) It's also worth noting that the Goodyear has the highest user survey ratings on Tire Rack's website of all 24 tires in their top performance category for street tires.

If it were my car, I would go for the Goodyears for great performance, or the Toyo T1-R if you would prefer to save money and you're willing to get less performance along with the savings. You could get more savings by buying less expensive "budget performance tires" (category 6) but it sounds like you would prefer to have better traction and you're willing to pay for it.

 

Always amazed by nsxtasy's replies.

But just to add one small detail. If you do go for any of those tires make sure this:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJ8VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wont have the rims on in the winter so snow doesnt matter.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Happens or you will get *** fucked. You will def have to put the car away in storage or get winter rubber.

Cheers!

 

wow thanks 'nsxtasy', so i guess i should get the smallest offset possible?? 40mm is the smallest they come in...

 

I don't know what offset would be best for your car, sorry. Check with your wheel dealer...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EJ8VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow thanks 'nsxtasy', so i guess i should get the smallest offset possible?? 40mm is the smallest they come in...</TD></TR></TABLE>

There are some differences between the 00 civic and my 00 integra suspension, but I have 16x7 on a 42 offset, 205/45-16 Proxes 4, and they're about 2mm away from rubbing the fenders. A larger offset would pull them in further, but I don't know how much clearance I have on the inside. I also do not have rolled fenders (yet). More camber would also help clearance, I'm only around 1.4* or so.