Need help with tires/rims for 2005 Echo

[Thresher]

I have a 2005 Echo LE 2 door hatchback. I got rid of the stock tires last October when I bought winter tires, and I want to buy new rims and tires.

I was planning on buying the 15" rims that were available on the 2005 RS model, but apparently Toyota no longer carries them. I am overwhelmed by the choices available on Canadian Tire and Kal Tire, and I have no idea how to narrow down my choice. I am looking for simple rims, the car is my daily commuter, not a race car.

Any help on what sizes, what brands, or how to make a reasonably educated decision is most appreciated.

[soloecho2]

195/50/15 Falken 912s worked on a 15 x 6.5 38 offset Eagle Alloys now I think they are MSR.

[asc08]

Check out tirerack.com. You can view the rims on your car, and they will deliver the mounted and balance tires / rims to your door.

[thebarber]

check out kijiji for used wheels/tires

[2005RS]

why do you want to go with bigger rims? looks? lower profile tires?

I know the selection is getting smaller in 14" tires but you can get gt-radial champiro 128 at tirecraft at a reasonable price. I don't know about on the track, but they are way better than the bridgestones that come with the car or canadian tire's brand

lots of people seem to be selling 14" rims because they're going bigger, but it seems to me that bigger robs horsepower

[Thresher]

Thanks for the replies. I went to Kal-Tire today and asked what they recommended. For a cheap tire, he quoted $99 for TBC Matrix Tour RS, and for a better tire he provided the Nokian enTyre 88T for $116.

Steel rims are $63 each, while Core Superlite alloys are $107.

2005RS: I want the 15" wheels to get the lower profile and wider tire. Mainly to get a better grip on the road.

I am pricing alloy wheels for looks, although I am hard-pressed to come up with a good reason to spend an extra $44 per wheel just for looks! I will probably end up with the Nokians on steel rims.

[thebarber]

the price of 15's and nicer, wider tires (assuming 205-50-15) is completely worth the step up from the 14" RS alloys/tires

ther will be sooo much less tire squirm and a more solid/planted feel to the car with shorter tires/bigger wheels.

just don't get anything TOO heavy

[echo04]

Originally Posted by Thresher

I have a 2005 Echo LE 2 door hatchback. I got rid of the stock tires last October when I bought winter tires, and I want to buy new rims and tires.

I was planning on buying the 15" rims that were available on the 2005 RS model, but apparently Toyota no longer carries them. I am overwhelmed by the choices available on Canadian Tire and Kal Tire, and I have no idea how to narrow down my choice. I am looking for simple rims, the car is my daily commuter, not a race car.

Any help on what sizes, what brands, or how to make a reasonably educated decision is most appreciated.

...............................

I have a 04 LE 2door with 14inch steel wheels. I thought they would be too small, but after getting Hankook winter tires on the 14 inch rims I am convinced that - that's the right size. Also - the hankook winter tires from Can Tire were very solid performers - never any issues in the worst conditions, snow, ica and mush.
For summer tires, I would stick to 14 inch rims (steel) and get Motomaster SE tires (both from Can Tire) or the AW's for about $57 each.
Keep in mind that the light weight Echo does not use up tires that fast and for $200 you can buy a new set every 3 years!