New Rims..16..17..18?? lower or not?

[shish_ka_bob]

I have an '06 and i want to replace the stock rims with some "cooler" looking rims, but i don't know what size will fit best. has anyone had any luck with a particular size? also what is the most affordable way to lower it? just go with lowering springs or spend the cash on the whole coil-over set up?

thanks for the advice.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
Any of those sizes (depending on width) can fit.
Lowering is much cheaper, typically, than wheels& tires.
If you don't lower more than 2", you can do with stock struts.

[shish_ka_bob]

ok great. i'm a college student and my money is limited, but at the same time i just bought the car and i'm aching to add something to it

[quicksilverdon]

Hear you. We all know the feeling.....

[Hooligan]

No matter what age you are, it's always the same problem!!! "If I only had the $$$$$'s"

[shish_ka_bob]

what companies are making good, light rims these days?

[JCsGTPT]

One thing the PT definitely needs is better ride / handling. Larger tires will help somewhat but if you go the lowering route then I suggest new struts. The stocks kinda wallow and jounce over bumps. I just put on Tokico HP blues and the change is significant! Now the car hugs the road.

They can be had for just over $200 if you find a good deal. I got my off ebay for $216. Just make sure to check the part #'s when you receive them. I haven't had my car for 4 days because after the install I had very little clearance b/t the tire and the coil support on the front strut. As the strut settled, this past friday the coil seat ended up sitting on the tire. Turns out one strut was for a neon, not a PT, only a 1/4 inch difference in length and will "fit" the PT but once it settles....no good. Waiting for the right strut...

I also put on Mopar Stage 1 springs. Just over $200 also from Haynes speed shop.

If anything, swap out the struts first IMHO.

[shish_ka_bob]

hey thanks i'll probably do that then.what rims did you put on your pt JCsGTPT? or did you just keep the stock GT rims?

[Johnboy1975]

Originally Posted by JCsGTPT

One thing the PT definitely needs is better ride / handling. Larger tires will help somewhat but if you go the lowering route then I suggest new struts. The stocks kinda wallow and jounce over bumps. I just put on Tokico HP blues and the change is significant! Now the car hugs the road.

They can be had for just over $200 if you find a good deal. I got my off ebay for $216. Just make sure to check the part #'s when you receive them. I haven't had my car for 4 days because after the install I had very little clearance b/t the tire and the coil support on the front strut. As the strut settled, this past friday the coil seat ended up sitting on the tire. Turns out one strut was for a neon, not a PT, only a 1/4 inch difference in length and will "fit" the PT but once it settles....no good. Waiting for the right strut...

I also put on Mopar Stage 1 springs. Just over $200 also from Haynes speed shop.

If anything, swap out the struts first IMHO.

I was actually suprised when I was swapping my lowering springs out for my stock ones last night to see TOKICO stamped right on my stock struts. They rode pretty decent for about 20,000 km's this year.

[MOPAR43]

To Shishkabob:

I recommend the Tokico "Blue" shocks and struts teamed with lowering springs as a reasonable install cost-wise for the performance improvement. You might want to do them together. Primarily because the Tokicos are especially suited for lowered applications. The stock struts and shocks will eventually fail and in the meantime you will regret the inferior handling to that which the new shocks and struts will immediately provide you.

I'd say that as a general rule, one shouldn't scrimp on drivetrain and suspension components, but look for good values, such as the other writers in this thread have mentioned.

If you want to have some fun for little money, spend the $$$ on appearance options from time to time and use the heavy bucks for under the hood and under the car.

If there are stilll any PT Cruiser car shows or cruise-ins being held in your area, go to them; the folks there can give you some great pointers!

Have fun and enjoy building your Cruiser to be your Cruiser!

.