Im currently reviewing my wheels. Wanting to go bigger and eventually bring the ride height down 2-4 inches. But Im conflicted between 17s or 18s. Anyone have experience with both set of wheels and which would fit better with the chevy sonic ltz 2012 1.4L. Mostly looks but obviously the higher the wheel the less space to lower the ride for feel and handling. So Im just wondering if anyone has both the experiences of 17 and 18s or even 16s . Any help would be appreciated thanks.
17s or 18s
- Thread starter bmerchan1
- Start date
rsSteve
New member
The LTZ and RS came with 17's so you can look at those models for reference. Personally I think 17's just look a tad small for the wheel well. You can look through some of the build threads and find a few members who have 18's. To me, the 18's looks perfect on these cars. If i get a new set of Rims i will definitely go with 18's
5H1F7Y
New member
MaD
Member
Lol.. here we go again [emoji13] it will come down to the area you live on, if you have rough roads... something with more sidewalls, if you have nicer roads, go for the smaller sidewalls.. I run 18's and have no problems here in Seattle area... your area might not be so nice?? Ultimately it's your choice [emoji41]
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striper
New member
18" wheels look excellent on a Sonic, not too big at all. They are the factory size on the Sonic Dusk standard wheel. They get a lot of compliments. Just look up the Dusk model and you will see them. They also ride fine with a slight improvement in handling due to less sidewall to flex.
Yosemite Sam
I Hates Rabbits!
I've got 18's on my 2012. No ride or rub problem and I'm lowered on H&R springs.
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carsNskis
New member
You put on quite a few miles, still happy with the H&R springs?I've got 18's on my 2012. No ride or rub problem and I'm lowered on H&R springs.
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Yosemite Sam
I Hates Rabbits!
Yup
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SuperSonic15
Member
I would have preferred 16's...price and availability later on...however, the 17's on my RS look just right. 18 seems a bit much at least for my sedan. My 3 cents 
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
I just put 17's on my LT. They're black and the tires are also really black and they look so much better than the stock ones. The wheel gap looks smaller. That being said the car feels really heavy now, It could be the change to a heavier, wider wheel and performance summer tires, but I'm not really sure.
sleepybird09
New member
depends
i think the design of the wheels makes huge difference in how big a wheel looks.
on my rs the 5 spoke 17s look just right, if they where 18s they would look like a donk style car to me. (sometimes i think the 17s are a tad to big. but i know its the design playing tricks with my eyes.)
so if you are getting 18 with a 5 spoke design i say no if they have alot of spokes and a lip then it will probably look fine. like some of the pictures that are on this thread.
also price etc. iv read that 18s are the way to go due to the vast amount of tire choices available when it comes to high performance tires.
i think the design of the wheels makes huge difference in how big a wheel looks.
on my rs the 5 spoke 17s look just right, if they where 18s they would look like a donk style car to me. (sometimes i think the 17s are a tad to big. but i know its the design playing tricks with my eyes.)
so if you are getting 18 with a 5 spoke design i say no if they have alot of spokes and a lip then it will probably look fine. like some of the pictures that are on this thread.
also price etc. iv read that 18s are the way to go due to the vast amount of tire choices available when it comes to high performance tires.