I'm buying rims for my med-red-met 88 GT T-Top and can't decide on what to get.
I had my heart set on Konig Imagines, but in all fairness, I wouldn't keep them clean. See, I detest cleaning around the spokes in the stock 15" wheels, I go at them, get the 2 outer sets of holes cleaned, lose interest, and say F the rest. The rivet holes and close spokes in the Imagines would be too much for me. Am I lazy b@stard when it comes to cleaning wheels? probably so.
So in a happy medium I think a set of rather simple 5 star style would be best for me.
I've chosen 5 different wheels that gained my interest, so Iwill post them here. I would appreciate any opinions, good or bad on my selection. I will be going 17x7 or 17x8 with hopefully the closest offsets available to keep with the look of the stock offsets.
Here are my 5 choices starting with the one that gains most my interest down to the least interest to me.
MIM Gonzaga
TSW Avus R
TSW Apex
TSW Blades
Maxxim 187
Thanks for your input!
------------------ 1st place High Mileage Stock Fastback- Carlisle 2004
I've always wanted to upgrade my GT, rims with some 5zigen Copse's: BTW-if you want my opinion, go with the TSW apex ------------------ I own an original yellow 1988 pontiac fiero GT, (wingless, currently purple) very proud also....Truly is...Driving Excitement! Matching numbers GT #17889 of 26,402 made in 1988
[This message has been edited by roys88fiero (edited 06-20-2004).]
IP: Logged
09:04 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Ability to clean is the overriding factor for me as well. I'm liking the APEX for that reason. I didn't think the Blades were still in production, but I like them too.
------------------ If you find my advice useful, then please give me a positive rating, thanks... 1988 GT (Firebird Interior),1988 Coupe (Daily Driver), 1985 SE (Project Car), 1985 Coupe (parts car), Firebird Interior Installation Website
#2 The lip makes the fiero look great. See my pics in sig
------------------ -Chris - Custom Gun Metal 86 GT 3.4 5spd "It's too low, too rough, too loud, drinks gas, it's totally impractical, but damn good lookin. In other words, It's almost perfect!" Build up tread or MODS w/ Pics
IP: Logged
09:33 PM
lamboman Member
Posts: 159 From: Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada Registered: Nov 2001
------------------ Red 88 GT T-Top 3800 INTERCOOLED SUPERCHARGED White 88 GT Stock Please give me a rating if you appreciate my contribution. History of Skitimes Car
IP: Logged
10:24 PM
PFF
System Bot
jelly2m8 Member
Posts: 6235 From: Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2001
So far it's the Apex in 1st place with 6 votes Gonzagas with 3 Avus with 1
Jscott, I found several websites with the TSW blades available, I don't know if they are back in production, or old stock. Black-Azz, I agree with needing some lip...LOL
If I could find some Apex's with a wider lip, that would rock! here i am being fussy again when trying to keep things simple...
Keep the advice / opinions comming in !
IP: Logged
11:05 PM
blackie2m6 Member
Posts: 1108 From: Riverport, Nova Scotia Canada Registered: Nov 2001
Are those your only choices? Or are there more? I agree with some who posted...get a rim with a chrome lip. From the looks of the one you have picked....I see no chrome lip?
IP: Logged
11:09 PM
FieroMaster88 Member
Posts: 7680 From: Mattawan, MI Registered: Nov 2000
You should really check out EVERY adr wheel on http://www.bigwheels.net great looking wheels. lots of finishes, decent price. i think you would like the Stage II the best though, my fav is the ADR Battle EXE. i know you can find some adr wheels on ebay also. I also like OZ Crono Evolution.
IP: Logged
03:24 AM
DjDraggin Member
Posts: 2854 From: St Louis, MO. USA Registered: Feb 2003
And hate to take shoots at the highest canidate but the apexs remind me of Mustang cobra/saleen rims. Simple yes.. stand out? nahh not like #1
Ohh yeah and I know the meaning of tire kicking and screaming when they are dirty!! If my wheels could talk they would sound like drunkin sailors! This is what I have to fight with!
------------------ Ferrari 308 GTB rebody on a modified 86SE chasis Soon to have a highly hooped up 3800SC..Ohh yeah baby!! Contacts _ AIM / Zildjianfx _ Yahoo / djdraggin Remember, always brush your milk, drink your teeth, dont do sleep and get eight hours of drugs.
[This message has been edited by DjDraggin (edited 06-21-2004).]
IP: Logged
03:48 AM
PFF
System Bot
noodle Member
Posts: 260 From: Kentville, Nova Scotia Registered: Nov 2002
------------------ The Dirty Rat Chopped, dropped and just plain NASTY! Choptop Targa #1 383 Stroker MPFI with N2O 1" Drop 3" Chop 11" Brakes 19" Motegi Roja's wrapped in BFGoodrich Gforce T/A KDW-2 rubber RCC Coilover Suspension Updated Jan 21 '04 www.dirtyratracing.org
IP: Logged
11:48 AM
naskie18 Member
Posts: 6258 From: Commerce Twp, MI, USA Registered: Jun 2002
I'll agree with the Apex. for one, they're simple. Not many, if any, will dislike them. They may not stand out, but they will look very classy. They only have one bolt pattern. Doesnt look liike a cheap Pep Boys special. No Center covers. I just think they look tacky. The reason I dont like TSW blades. Oh yea, SIMPLE TO CLEAN. I agree 100% with simple to clean.
Take skitime's car for example. He has nice wheels. Nothing fancy, nothing too flashy. But Nice. Anything more will take away from the rest of the car IMO.
Something to consider. Is the finish on the wheel polished aluminum? Is it coated? If not, then you might be polishing them more than you'd like. It might not be an issue if you dont drive the car daily though. Just a thought.
How much are the apex? And what offsets and widths are available for a fiero?
I Love this site!! first one I've seen that automatically staggers the wheel and tire sizes for you. All the other sites force you to figure it out for yourself. And lots of selections too.
IP: Logged
03:28 PM
pavo_roddy Member
Posts: 4351 From: State with a city named Gotham Registered: Apr 2004
I'd go with the Apex wheels. See how the spokes extend to the outer edge of the wheel.... this makes the wheels look larger than they actually are. And of course, they are easier to clean.
------------------ 5 car lengths in front of you and still pulling...
IP: Logged
10:45 PM
fourpoint9 Member
Posts: 1058 From: Long Beach, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2004
Look's like the Apex's are the way to go. I called around on pricing and sizing, and the MIM Gonzaga's in the 5x100mm bolt pattern only come in 17X 8 with a 35mm offset. Those won't work on my 88.
The Apex's come in both 45mm, and 35mm offsets, those should fit pretty well.
I spent the day yesterday in the city looking at wheels, and I also found some ADR Kasai wheels that I like.
The big thing is going to be finding wheels that are 7" wide with the correct offsets. I want 35mm offsets for the rear, and I guess 40-45 off sets in the front.
Jonathan, I called that cheapwheels.com place, and the TSW blades they have are old stock, only available in 5x114 bolt pattern with a 35mm offset, so those are out for a Fiero.
IP: Logged
10:03 AM
doublec4 Member
Posts: 8289 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
Jelly, thanks for checking on the blades. While I'm sure there's a set somewhere since they are discontinued, it won't be easy to find them.
I have 8" wheels on my car all the way around and it's not a bad fit on the front. The back looks like it could use even more, so I wouldn't be sure about the 7" wheels on the back.
5 car lengths in front of you and still pulling...
