[coolvirus]

Hi guys,

I love my 03 GT and I love the way the stock 17" wheels look but I'm getting sick and tired of hitting any little (or big) pothole and getting bubbles on the sidewalls. There is no way to repair this and pretty much a new tire has to be purchased.

I've had this happened to me 4 times already since I bought the car 3 years ago and these tires are not cheap.

These tires are so low-profile and there's so little rubber that any pothole you hit, damages the tire and here in NYC, there's PLENTY of them.

I just came back from Sears because I had to buy a new tire and even with the road hazzard, I paid good money after they pro-rated the old tire.

I'm very frustrated to say the least. Do you guys think it'd be a good idea to go with 16" tires (and rims) on the GT? Has anyone "downgraded" (if you know what I mean). Would it affect anything in the car? Suspension, ride quality, etc? Also, would it look any different than a non-GT cruiser? Those come with 16" tires right?

Thank you in advance for any advice on this.