15x5.5 12lbs for $40ea or 15x6 13lbs for $60ea for 195/55 Sport Comp 2s

Make sure that whatever wheels you choose will fit the car.  IIRC Toyotas have a 57mm pilot, and I know that Mazdas have 54mm, so Mazda wheels would be a no-go.

I actually ran the Imolas on my Miata when I first got it, and they came with 195/55R15 Falken Ziexs. They weren't terrible. I drove it on the Tail Of The Dragon with this setup and did some other spirited driving. Never autocrossed it on these though.

In reply to Knurled. :

My wife's Scion has 54mm pilot. I would think Corollas do, too, but I don't know for sure. The MINI wheels will be 56mm center bore.

Thanks for the double check on CB guys. It is 54; I'm running early 90s Miata hollowspoke 14s with snow tires for Rallycross.

Nick I've seen your pics and it was one of the cars that helped me think the 'almost phone-dials' would be alright.

I'm not expecting to be remotely competitive at AutoX; just considering it more good LFB training. The car is sprung for dirt and will stay that way if it makes a difference in anyone's advice.

I have run these tires on both 15x5.5 Escort GT wheels and 15x6 Miata wheels, on the same car.  The difference is minimal, and since you’re unlikely to be on the bleeding edge of ultimate performance here…. just pick whatever wheels you like better.

I really like the way the mini wheels look!

The plot thickens: I’ve found two of the Miata 15x6s locally for $40 ea. With price almost  out of the equation it’s close to a no-brainer despite the cool Mini looks right?

Can anyone identify this rim? Can't get specifics from the seller beyond them being 15x7 and 4x100.

Unless those are 225+ wide tires, those are not 15x7.  Maybe 7" wide across the outside, which would make them 1-1.5" narrower.

They remind me of an OE wheel from something, I'd like to say Corrado but the center looks wrong for that.

In reply to Knurled. :

On closer inspection you're totally right Knurled. 'Seller' also completely unwilling to take pics of rim #s or even specify tire size. What a waste. If it sounds too good to be true...

The Mini wheels are way cooler. I'd go with those. Should perform great with a 195 on a light car as well.

My friend may have negotiated a deal for some ugly but round 15" Rota Slipstreams for more than my budget but dirt cheap relative to even the used market ($200 plus gas/tolls). Thinking this may be the best way to go as they're in the same 'weight class' but will both better support the tire and have easier/better resell value. Maybe I just need to spend the extra $.

Can anyone talk me out of this? The Mini wheels would have been ~$130 plus PA sales tax (<-- salvage yard).

What size? If they're 15x6.5 or 15x7, I say go for it. Ugly is relatively cheap to fix.

Edit: They're most likely 15x6.5 judging by the pics and available sizes.

Also I'm assuming you mean ugly as in scratched up / tons of baked-on brake dust or a hideous color. I don't think the rota slipstream design is ugly.

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Yes, ugly as in I clean, scour, prime and Rust-O bomb. I was explaining why the low price offering, not that they were damaged. Aesthetically they're more than fine and I'm not all that picky that way anyways. I'm good at making a choice and moving on. It's the choice part that's sticky .

I may have missed it, but do you have the tires in hand?  If not, its probably the same price to get a wheel and tire package.