One of my biggest complaints about GM cars has been the lack of larger rims on just about all of their cars/trucks. Adding rims that are just 1 inch bigger can make all the difference in the world when it comes to looks, take the difference between the Z28 and SS for example, or the the CTS (no CTS should be sold with anything less than 17in rims). Look at how many people loved the G-force concept but hated the 2004 grand prix. It was the same god damn car with the exception that the G-force had 19" rims.

GM was also the last one to offer 20"s on a full size truck, and look how long it took them to offer 17" rims on FWD cars. Why didn't the GTP have 17" rims 5 years ago? I think every VW is offered with 17" rims, same goes for Nissan.

But finally at the NYC auto show I found hope. As many know the 2004 GTP and Impala SS get 17"s. This makes such a big difference in the way the Impala looks, they had a regular in Impala with the same rims but 16" next to the SS and what a difference an inch makes.

One of the first GTO press releases said it was going to get 17" rims, but the final production GTO will get 18"s

CTSv gets 18" rims

Colorado Sport gets 17"

Vibe got 17"

Bonnie GXP will get at least 18" rims

SSR is keeping its concept size wheels of 19" front 20" rear

And what was a suprise to me was that the Malibu Maxx show car had 17" rims, when I asked the spokes person about them she said they would be on the production car.
and the biggest suprise was that the Chevy Equinox show car had 18" rims, when I asked the spokes person about them she said those would be on the production SUV too

Glad to see GM moving in the right direction, while some my not want bigger rims, they should at least be offered to those that do.

 

Now if only they'd offer manual transmissions...

 

That'd be nice. Very Nice.

In regards to the wheels - GM needs to also work on styling them to work with the car. Most GM wheels it seems look generic and don't enhance the look of the car. For example, the 2002 Z28 wheels looked like they could have been designed for a minivan, sedan or whatever. Or how about those 4 spoke Ion wheels? As a counter-example, consider the wheels on the Ford GT40.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/fordgt/home.asp

 

I think if GM...and especially Chevy....did nothing more than concentrate all their efforts on nicer wheels and wheel sizes, that alone alone would bring up their products one whole notch.

For the past dozen years or so, GM wheels....again, especially Chevy, have been HORRIFFIC. Both in their styling and sizing.

We have a HUGE opportunity for improvement!

Next, let's work on those manual trans's.

 

Sure the wheels look go on the Ford GT, but what do you expect on a $100K car - the wheels on a Ferrari are better yet. What about those "white letter" tires. That sort of thing belongs on a "dirt track" racecar, or something running in a demolition derby at the county fair.

Anyway, I'm on record for liking those Z28 rims, which look classy in my opinion. The Saturn 4-spoke rims are an embarassment, but the rest of the Ion is on the same level. Shouldn't the worst GM car since the Chevy Vega have the worst looking rims. Personally, I think they're in keeping.

 

Why has GM had such a hard time designing good looking wheels? Seems pretty much everyone here feels the same way....
I'm not talking about size as much as looks and design.

I assume it's an inside operation.

 

I think all the Impala rims look good on those cars except the diamond cut rims (I don't even like them on the TrailBlazer), even the hub caps look good on the car.

Pontiac has made some ugly rims in the past (3 spokes )

I think all of the C5 rims look good, the 97-99 Z28 5 spoke rims were very very nice too. 2000+ Z28 rims were ugly, 2K+ Z28s should have got a 17" ZR1 rim option.

 

i agree
the new gm trucks come "pre-blinged-out" from the dealer

 

I think they need 5-6 speed automatics first..the 4 sppeds are looking dated. On cars where auto is an option only like 5% choose it, so I wouldn't call it that important from an average buyers (not enthusiast) perspective.

 

As for rims Pontiac has been the worst offender especially the 2003 Grand Am GT and 2003 Sunfire and there were nasty chrome ones on the 03 Grand Prix.

 

Thank you. Seriously whats up with this lack of manual trans? I was looking at S-10s the other day, and you cant get a manual with the 6 cylinder.

 

Funny you should say that....
http://www.toyota.com/images/shop/ve.../large/ltd.jpg

 

Don't believe the dealer. I used to know a guy with one. From GM's own website:

X = Standard. O = Optional. – = Not available.

Base, LS, ZR2, Xtreme, Crew Cab, ZR5

Transmission:
5-speed manual with overdrive X X X X – –
4-speed electronically controlled automatic O O O O X X