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March 8, 2011 5:06 p.m. LordTurbonia New Reader

Title is pretty self explanatory. The Toaster is on 195's wrapped around the stock 15" steelies.

As the Toaster will receive a suspension "freshening" (read: TRD suspension) at some point in the next few months I want some grip. The car as it sits is a ponderous combo of sluggish AND tail happy (understeers like a bastard, but under any braking the weight transfers and the ass knuckles under) and I don't even think normal Corollas had a rear bar of any substance. You can palpably feel the ass roll, which is the exact opposite of how a guy raised on A-platform, wheel-lifting VWs expects in corners. I. Hate. It. Additionally, under emergency maneuvers in slippery conditions it does strange, unpredictable things.

So, what's the wheel/tire combo of choice for a 2003 Corolla? As it needs to retain its unsuspecting exterior, I can't go nuts and donk it on 18" wheels or whatever. Hell, aftermarket rims make me nervous, and I have to admit the steelies have allowed me much more cavalier about parking, curbs, etc. in what should be considered an "urban" car for an inhospitable environment. However, I think the stockers are wasting about 2 inches of wheel width that I could be using to my advantage.
March 9, 2011 11:03 a.m. Slyp_Dawg HalfDork

get a set of Diamond Racing steelies in the size you want, then wrap them in the tire of your choice? still get that unassuming look of a steelie, but you get the size you want.
March 9, 2011 11:19 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

I had some no name alloy 16"s (still a little lighter than steel, but not much ) on my 95 'Rolla, that I wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force sports. The G-force KA TW (or some variant) was at one time, the highest lateral-G tested tire that you could drive on the street. The sport was a higher mileage (read non Z rated, so cheaper) variant. I did think they were grippier, and had a stiffer sidewall. I could certainly get the body to roll harder, if thats any indication lol. They lasted fine over the last 2 years I owned the car. But seriously DO NOT USE IN SNOW....EVAR. They came off as soon as it was freezing out. Rain? They were fine. Snow? Instant death!
March 9, 2011 11:24 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

Direzza
March 9, 2011 1:12 p.m. unevolved Dork

Yep. Direzzas (DZ101s or Z1s) are pretty damn good tires for the money, in my experience. The Z1s are much stickier, but the 101s have fairly good manners on track as well.
March 9, 2011 1:20 p.m. EricM Dork

Star Specs or RE-11s

Those are my votes
March 9, 2011 2:17 p.m. Teqnyck Reader

Star Specs, RT-615Ks, Ventus RS3s

And I second the idea of Diamond Racing wide steelies. Do a 15x7 unless you can fit a 15x8, and if you can fit an 8" wheel the RS3s are available in a 225/50-15.
March 9, 2011 3:08 p.m. ReverendDexter SuperDork

FWIW, I think the 1.8L Corolla XRS is of that generation, and it had a rear bar. I'm pretty sure Matrix stuffs is interswappable as well, and Trixxie XRSs seem much more common.

Regarding the actual question, RA1s. Just keep your 15s, and get a wheel of the right width to take Spec Miata take-offs.
March 9, 2011 3:16 p.m. Matt B HalfDork

How long do you want the tires to last? Budget?

Star specs, RE-11's, and other top ST tires are a lot of fun. However, if I wasn't hardcore autocrossing, and had a nearly-stock corolla, then I might be tempted by a tier-down. Something in the 300 treadwear category like Yoko S-Drives. Still a relatively sticky summer tire, but they'll get more than a year of daily driving out of them.

Then again, you might want the most grip you can get and tire life be damned. I've certainly felt that way in the past.