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May 28, 2011 12:59 p.m. sevenracer New Reader

So, I am looking for a cheap set of track wheels for the Miata. Trying to stay under $200 for 4 wheels.

Would like 15X6, 6.5, or 7 inch wheels, and it looks like there are a few options from bmw, integra's, civic's, and miata's of course.

I made my first trip to the u pull it, but literally every car was devoid of its wheels.

Craigslist and even ebay have very few oem wheels listed. No luck on miata.net. Businesses that re-sell used wheels seem to want $100+ each.

Where did all the pick and pull wheels go? To the scrap metal yard?

Where should I be looking? Thanks.
May 28, 2011 1:08 p.m. White_and_Nerdy Reader

Other 15s that'll fit are Saturn S series, and some VWs are 4x100.

Maybe the pick and pull places have a separate area for wheels? I've seen some that do. So you actually have to talk to a human to get them.

Just as a warning - one issue I've run into is places not selling me wheels for a car that didn't come from the very same car. When I told them I wanted some wheels for an 87 MR2 and gave them the dimensions they still refused to sell me, say, a set of Escort wheels that were the identical size. I got around that by telling them I had a 95 Mercury Tracer, got the wheels, put them on my MR2, and they fit perfectly. So you might want to tell them you have an Integra, or Saturn SC2, or a specific year of Miata that came with 15s from the factory.
May 28, 2011 5:13 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Over the years, I have run different versions of Mazda MX3 rims on my Miata. The backspacing and centerbore is exactly correct. I have had 14" and 15" versions. The Mx3 rims are heavier than Miata versions but they tend to be really cheap.

MX-3 wheel identification chart:
http://www.mx-3.com/rims/
Also follow that link to the forums and the classified section.
My Miata has worn the second option and the bottom option.
May 28, 2011 6:04 p.m. iceracer Dork

There are a plethora of wheels from other cars that will work.
May 29, 2011 2:34 a.m. EvanR Reader

MINI Cooper. Anything over 15" is stupid heavy, but some of the 15's are reasonably light. As a general rule, the wheels with exposed lug nuts are the lighter choices. I scored 2 sets of the heavy-ish ones (17lbs) for $200 and $50 on Craigslist. I use them on my DD Scion xB, so weight was not an issue.
May 29, 2011 3:04 a.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

Under $200 is hard to find in 15". You can find stock 14" daisies for $100-200.

Up your budget to $300 and you should be able to find a set of the stock 99+ Miata wheels. I got my stock 99 15x6.5 wheels for $250 in somewhat rough shape with tires on craigslist.

Beyond the Miata, the BMW bottlecaps are options but the wrong centerbore. For track wheels, I'd prefer to keep the correct centerbore.

Tire Rack sells a set of correct fitting 15 x 7 for $89 each. Excellent investment for track wheels.
May 29, 2011 8:00 a.m. neckromacr Reader

amg_rx7 wrote:

Tire Rack sells a set of correct fitting 15 x 7 for $89 each. Excellent investment for track wheels.

They have quite a few for a about $80, but I will echo that the TRMotorsport wheels have excellent weight, offset and fitment for the $89. I've been running the 15x7 et30 on my Scirocco and I'm upset I hadn't gone with them sooner.
May 29, 2011 8:46 a.m. JeffHarbert Reader

I think the wheels from a 99-00 Protege fit. Car-part.com shows a yard in Kannapolis with wheels at $20 each. These wheels are only about 14lbs, too. (I have a 2000 Protege with them.)
May 29, 2011 1:59 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

chevy cobalt. early ones came with 15" steelies that are 4x100 and they fit a civic perfectly :-p