ok, so im thinking about getting new wheels, 18". my car isnt lowered yet(college student, so money is hard to come by). i want some suggestions, would this look retarded since its not lowered, if so, how retarded? =P and any suggestions on what i should get to lower it, again money is scarce. =\ thanks.

-Matt

 

If money is scarce, I would recommend AGAINST getting 18s. They're expensive, and the tires for them are even more expensive. If you really want 18s though, my friend is selling a set off of his Lancer. The reason for selling them? He's sick of paying up the @$$ for tires and wants to go back to the economical 15s. As for lowering, Progress springs are fine if you don't care about handling. If you want performance, you need a spring/shock combo like Tein Basic, Tein SS, or NEX.

 

well I have progress springs with 18's and I have done a lot of asking and a lot of inspecting, and 18s look cool and the tires aren't that bad to purchase if you treat them well and rotate frequently you can get some good mileage out of them. BUt progress springs lowered my es to low. I have already had to replace a severly bent rim and a couple of my other rims have small bends in them. People say its because of the low profile tire , which is true but not entirely. My suspension bottoms out so quickly on larger bumps that there is no where else for the wheel to go it bottoms out the tire then needs to take it and since so little side wall BAM! into the rim. There are plenty of other people with 18"s that do not have this problem and its because there suspension set up is different. I am switching over to tein coil overs very soon. To get it up a little and have the adjustablity factor. Here are some pics of all the stages of adding acces to the lancer. its does look kinda lifted with just 18"s before I lowered it but judge for yourself.
http://www.lroot.com/mike/lancer/

 

I'm with Brian. Have you shopped for 18" tires lately?

If you have little money (like me), skip the big bling mod that'll end up costing you $600 per tire change (at least).

 

go 17's, they look good and you will have enough rubber

 

17's youre gonna find MUCH better package deals as well. 600-1000$ will get you a WIDE range of tires and rims shipped.