I don't think they have them anymore for the Vette. I like the idea of them and thought they looked better than the other Vette wheels until the Y2K Vette wheels came out. I only had a problem with the always-looks-dirty appearence of them.

I know they were very expensive but maybe if they are styled really well(I think that is the key) people will pay extra just to show that they have the best and because they can.

..............this is getting a little off topic.

 

17's are plenty big for the next generation Z28. 18's and up look ridiculous, imo. Plus, they're heavy as hell and ride rougher too boot. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the '04 GTO was losing those 18's, and I will do the same if the 5th Gen F-Body rolls out on 16's or 17's.

 

Ya , I agree with everything you are saying here... I just don't know how that kindof price tag for a wheel would fit in with a car half the price of a Corvette, when it didn't sell well at Corvette's price point...

FWIW: They are still available on Corvette (Coupe and Vert)...
http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette/index.html

 

When the F5 comes out, we're going to get 2 models, tops. A base and a Z28 probably. They will add models as the years go by like they always do, trying to keep it fresh. They done it with the F4, they did it with the C5, they will do it with the F5.

My personal prediction goes something like this.

07 = base model(RS?) and Z28 no convertable some sorta pace car probably as well (Indy,Daytona, something)

08 = base model and Z28 both coupe or vert and maybe an SS

09 = all of the above with a definate SS, maybe a performance based V6, maybe a Z06ish or 1LEish Z28 with all the go fast stuff

10 = who knows

They gotta change stuff up every year so people will continue to want to get the latest and greatest!

 

Some thoughts on wheels.

The current Z06 wheels (which look identical to the previous Z06 wheels), are being manufactured by a different supplier. They are stronger, lighter, and cheaper than the previous Z06ers, thanks to new manufacturing techniques. Someone correct me if I'm wrong....but I believe that they are lighter than the previous magnesium wheels.

Eighteen inch wheels are common sized performance wheels nowadays. With new generations of low aspect ratio tires, with better ride and handling to match. They also provide room for very agressive brakes.

The low buck Mustang GT will have 18" wheels...the Cobra is rumored to have 20's. In addition to looks....we shouldn't leave the increased performance potential of larger wheels off the table.

Let's get out of the 1980's.

 

20's on a car is rediculus! They can keep those things.

I think the base model should NOT be called RS and should be a different model. I think there will be 3 models when it comes out and will be the same as we have now: base, SS, and Z28. Hopefully, there will be more to follow.

 

I doubt there will be any real performance avantage for going 17" rims.. 18" would be heavier and have more rotational inertia.. Sidewall would be shorter and stiffer, but at that point, you can argue its not going to help anymore..

You could still fit a nice 13" 4 piston brake setup under 17's, but clearance is tight....

big diameter rims are the highheels of the automotive world.

 

I wonder if GM would consider the vortec inline 6 as the base F-Body motor?

 

I tend to agree. I liked it when the base car was called Sport Coupe.

I also liked it better when the F41 suspension package was an option on the 3rd gen Sport Coupe.

Interestingly, when the 3rd gen RS came on the scene, the F41 package was dropped, and it's components became standard on the RS.

 

I find the notion of a Mustang rolling on "dubs" to be pretty rediculous. I think there's a fine line between a nice looking wheel and something that looks cartoonish (I'd like to use another word but I'd rather not offend anyone here...)

Make the wheels look nice, make sure they fill up a decent amont of the wheel well, get the right stance. I'm not going to obsess about an inch on the diameter of the wheel.

 

Who said that Cobra will have 20", or at least that it is rumoured to have such huge wheels? I surely hope this wasn't engineered on some hard core teenage Mustang board, and perhaps there's a more credible source. Still, even if such info came from someone somewhere at Ford, I highly doubt that FoMoCo is willing to package its Cobra with monstrosity wheels. I can understand 19", the likes of BMW and Porsche, but anything more - call me Gino. Include blue light bulbs for windshield washer nozzles, too.

On the topic of wheel sizes and side wall heights... It's been said that 18" wheels require shorter profile tires, at which point the ride gets to be more uncomfortable because less impact is absorbed by the tire and more is transfered to the shock/spring combo. If I remember, I think it was one of the big three magazines that said 18" and above - and the ride gets too uncomfortable. The ultimate judgment was that 17" was the best for appearance and drivability. At the same time, Dodge tuck's 20" wheel has no problems with harsh ride. Why? Even with 20" wheels, the truck has tall enough sidewall to absorb all such impact. What GM could do is go 18", but at the same time increase the overall diameter of the wheel (hence increasing sidewall height) to soften the impact. And play around with rear end gearing to offset any performance loss.

Now for all those asking why 18"? Well, for one, such wheel allows really aggressive brake setup. Not that 99.9% of buyers will need race brakes, but the few enthusiasts taking the car to the track will appreaciate the room to go big on the brakes.

This is why, IMO, 17" should be standard, with 18" being a part of an optional performance package, or something. I think such would be the perfect solution. Besides, this should save about $1500 for those who couldn't care less for chromed wheelz.

On the topic of GTO - I am disappointed that GM did not include 18" wheels. Putting 225 width rubber all around I pity the fool who drops the clutch on that car :wink: Looking at the width of the GTO, I am wondering if those wheels don't look like skinnies

 

earlier in the thread someone said that the wheels for camaros look bad. imo, i cant think of one year where i didnt like the wheels they had, f1-f4 with the exception of the cheap plastic like wheels on the base camaro f4.
also, you gotta think, 18's and everythign helps handling, bigger brakes, etc. BUT, it also makes it harder to turn those big wheels and it does make the ride rougher since it would have to have low profile tires. heres my equation,
smaller rims= easier to turn from a stop, less top speed, poor handling
bigger rims= harder to turn from a stop, higher top speed, better handling
its up to you, weigh the tradeoffs of each
imo, go with 18's as an option

also, how the heck is the cobra gonna have 20's?
its gotta have enough room for suspension travel, and its gotta have performance in mind, which turning 20's isnt exactly an easy task for an engine
not to mention it cant be "goofy" looking if they want it to sell

 

the base Camraro should come with rims standard, NO HUB CAPS. make 17" an option and duel chrome exhusts a option, or make atleast the exhuat standard, even the 04 Grand Prix has twin pipes with nice tips.

 

i agree, it was sad to see 3rd gens (all models, even v6's) have dual tailpipe exhaust, and then the 4th gens get these measly one exhaust outlet thing

 

I dont think its really necessary for a performance base model to have an upgraded suspension. If you want performance, go for the Z28 or SS. Why not just make the base model already have a decent suspension from teh get go? Note how the 350Z shares the same suspension all the way up to the Track model. Now of course a V6 F-body would need a different set of springs than its V8 brother, but still none the less, if you want it to sell make it perform.

I think the only options for the base shoudl be wheels (17s), possibly an additional 10-15hp (exhaust/intake upgrade maybe?) and a rear end ratio upgrade. Also, things like spoilers and body kits would be nice so the car could be dressed up.