5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
For those of you with the TRD rim option for the 07/08 SEs, do you find that the 18's don't look all that good stuffed under the wheelwells -- like there's still too much car for these rims? I know 20s and up are all the rage now -- but I didn't want to go aftermarket; the ride is crippled enough on the 18s.
Sure, I could have gone with the TRD lowering springs, but didn't order them at time of purchase because I didn't know, frankly, that they were even available until afterwards. But the 18s don't really have that great of an appearance on this vehicle, and on top of it, I have two TRDs that are damaged!!
Any of you running on 18s on your SEs happy with your wheel choice?
i am but i park in the dirt and live where road are not that great.
thinest tires i have ever been on are my wifes stock tc rims 215/45 r 17, that that is pushing it around here. u have to almost stop when going across railroad crossings. now trd lowering spings would look good but ah road are rough enough.
Any of you running on 18s on your SEs happy with your wheel choice?
Not sure if you ask only TRD rim owners (not too many here).. and I also don't have an SE...but I got 18" and TRD springs installed by the dealer before they delivered the car and I am very happy with both ever since. Just get lowering springs and you will like the car appearance better and it rides better than stock and than your 18" also look better fitting the car. Their are TN'ers with that and you can look at their rides before doing it.
I never wanted 20s. I think 18s or 19s look great depending on your set up.
Thanks for your thoughts, Akira!
I am just curious -- why did you never want 20s?
You know why I am kicking myself now for not going bigger? Every time I see these Chrysler 300s or Dodge Chargers rolling on 22s or 24s with those deep-dish-lipped dubs, I start to drool...these guys roll past my Camry wearing 18s like I'm not even visible because their 300s are just so damn aggressive with that huge rolling stock...
Not sure if you ask only TRD rim owners (not too many here).. and I also don't have an SE...but I got 18" and TRD springs installed by the dealer before they delivered the car and I am very happy with both ever since. Just get lowering springs and you will like the car appearance better and it rides better than stock and than your 18" also look better fitting the car. Their are TN'ers with that and you can look at their rides before doing it.
Hey Tob,
No, I suppose I'm not just asking SE and TRD rim owners come to think of it; I only said that because I see how my specific SE with the TRD 18s look, and I wanted feedback from other owners of that specific setup -- but I understand and appreciate your point and perspective...so, you are definitely happy with 18s and the TRD lowering springs? The rims fit the wheelwells nicely enough for you?
How exactly do the TRD springs get the vehicle to ride better than stock?
You know why I am kicking myself now for not going bigger? Every time I see these Chrysler 300s or Dodge Chargers rolling on 22s or 24s with those deep-dish-lipped dubs, I start to drool...these guys roll past my Camry wearing 18s like I'm not even visible because their 300s are just so damn aggressive with that huge rolling stock...
Ask those Chrysler owners how the ride is in those 22 and 24's, and they will tell you that it rides like you are sitting on a rock. IMO 18's will give you the best compromise between looks and comfort. I even went with a taller profile on my 18's just to keep the comfort level. I've had 19's before and you can definitely tell the difference between 18's and 19's.
__________________ 2007 CAMRHEE Hybrid - SOLD! Nov 2008 Completed Mods: RK Sport body kit, 18" LexusGS430 wheels, TRD/SE springs, Rear Lip Spoiler, Sliding Armrest, Smoked Tails, Terk XM-Direct, Rear Bumper Applique, Front License Bracket, K&N, Lower Grill Chrome Accents
I have the 18" TRD rims they are tough I must say. My wife ran through a huge pot hole and it blew the tire. The rim was nicked on the edge but not bent. So I have a full size spare and it will fit into the trunk with the Michlin Pilot with a little room to spare. The rims are holding up well for this New Mexico lousy roads. I do think the tires could be a little fatter but they sure hold well on wet and dry roads and fair in the snow. The TRD was built to hold up from what I saw when I pilled the wheel off looks are ok and the price is not to bad. I have slammed the car in some turns and I cant tell for sure but not allot of rim flex as far as I can tell. I am a Momo Corse guy I love the style of the wheel and this is close so I am happy with the wheels.
How exactly do the TRD springs get the vehicle to ride better than stock?
Thanks for your input!
lowering springs lower the center of gravity of the car and are stiffer than stock springs - that reduces body roll and in general handling improves measurable (people often say it's "tighter"). Only negative - they also reduce the amount of travel distance...it's easier to bottom them out on bad roads.
You know why I am kicking myself now for not going bigger? Every time I see these Chrysler 300s or Dodge Chargers rolling on 22s or 24s with those deep-dish-lipped dubs, I start to drool...these guys roll past my Camry wearing 18s like I'm not even visible because their 300s are just so damn aggressive with that huge rolling stock...
Working at dealership that sells both Toyotas and Chryslers I see and drive both and both cars with large rims kill your back. Last year I drove a SRT with 24s and a profile of 25 and my back was sore. I'll stick with my 18s for a nice smooth ride.
trd lower the car 1.5 inches front and rear, less wheel gap making the rims and tires look bigger..
Oh, yes, definitely from a FASHION perspective, lowering the vehicle definitely lessens those wheel gaps and makes everything look bigger -- indeed, I LOVE that look, so that would be the primary reason for getting the springs....
Ask those Chrysler owners how the ride is in those 22 and 24's, and they will tell you that it rides like you are sitting on a rock.
Thanks for your thoughts, Flop; I would think the Chrysler owners would defend those huge dubs they're riding on, but I never actually asked any of them how they liked those rims...
Is the ride really THAT stiff and hard with 22s or 24s? The ride isn't all that "soft" on my 18s, either...
IMO 18's will give you the best compromise between looks and comfort. I even went with a taller profile on my 18's just to keep the comfort level. I've had 19's before and you can definitely tell the difference between 18's and 19's.
You mean the 19s are THAT much stiffer and harder? Seems the profile on my stock 18" Michelins that came with the TRDs are of a very high profile when you look at them directly from the rear of the car; they're definitely not that low of a profile or that wide of a tire, yet the ride is still very choppy on the freeway...
The thing about those deep-dish dubs in those huge sizes is just their damned appearance -- they are SO flashy; when the sun hits those chrome dubs, you can't help but look as a 300 or Charger is passing by.
In read an article recently in a car magazine which claimed 22s and 24s are like the new 16s for many exotic sedans, like Benzes, Maseratis and the like...and the trend will spill into more affordable vehicles...you had to see the rims and tires on these vehicles in the article -- HUGE!!
I just don't like the way 20s and up make our 18s look like donuts in comparison, especially if you're parked right next to a car with huge dubs on them in a lot or something.......
I have the 18" TRD rims they are tough I must say. My wife ran through a huge pot hole and it blew the tire. The rim was nicked on the edge but not bent. So I have a full size spare and it will fit into the trunk with the Michlin Pilot with a little room to spare. The rims are holding up well for this New Mexico lousy roads. I do think the tires could be a little fatter but they sure hold well on wet and dry roads and fair in the snow. The TRD was built to hold up from what I saw when I pilled the wheel off looks are ok and the price is not to bad. I have slammed the car in some turns and I cant tell for sure but not allot of rim flex as far as I can tell. I am a Momo Corse guy I love the style of the wheel and this is close so I am happy with the wheels.
Wow Jak...nice to know about the TRDs and sorry to hear about your ride...I know EXACTLY how you feel, if you have been following my other thread about my chipped and scraped TRDs at 800 miles...
Did you get the TRD rim replaced or fixed since then? The stock tires can DEFINITELY be fatter, that's for sure. Are the roads in New Mexico that bad? The roads here in Vegas really aren't BAD, per se, there's just a shit load of rocks, pebbles and other crap that kicks up on the highways here off trucks and the side of the road when we get sandstorms...the front end of my SE looks horrible already from it...
But I'd be curious to see some pics of your ride and to know if you plan to fix your nicked rim....
lowering springs lower the center of gravity of the car and are stiffer than stock springs - that reduces body roll and in general handling improves measurable (people often say it's "tighter"). Only negative - they also reduce the amount of travel distance...it's easier to bottom them out on bad roads.
Hmmmm....thanks for the info, Tob; indeed, I don't think the SE needs to be necessarily "tighter" as the ride is already pretty tight and stiff -- it's just that I was curious as to how it may have "improved" the stock ride.
The main goal for me with the lowering springs would be to make the wheels and tires look bigger and to reduce that awful wheel well gap.
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