17s or 18s

Scuderi

Well-Known Member
382
93
Maryland
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
Currently looking at wheels for my 2014 fg4 (coupe). What do you guys think of this infamous question; stay with 18s or downsize to 17s. Some say 17s are better for performance, 18s for looks. Also, some wheels (like RPF1s I think) look bigger than others of the same size (stock looks kind of big?) I have been looking at enkei T6s and they have concavity. Do you think these wheels will look bigger or smaller as 18s (if that makes any sense). Thanks guys

18x9.5 pictured on fr-s. best picture of concaved ones I could find.
frs t6s.jpg
 

Nix

Jötunn Moderator
10,765
8,162
Lew-vul, KY
Body Style
It's A Fast Pig!
Honestly I always thought 17's for coupes and 18's for sedans looked good. However, I think the newer Civics have larger bodies and profiles overall so you could go either way. Just keep in mind that certain wheels really look different in different widths. Pick a size and then make sure you find a picture of exactly that size wheel on a car.

The RPF1s are notorious for changing appearance a 9" wide. The 8.5" and the 9" wheel are completely different looking but they use the photo of the 9" wheel on every single stock image you see. So be very very careful when wheel shopping that you have seen an image of the size you are buying/considering.


RPF1 comparison of the "bubble" vs "flat" face wheels.


17x8.5 = "bubble" face:




17x8 bubble face:




17x9 "concave" appearance:



17x9 on car:
 

derekfriedrice

Well-Known Member
341
301
Mesa, Arizona
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
for our 14 coupes I feel like the 17's look so small, I'm not sure why. I'd go 18's, unless you want to track it go down to 17's :D

I think those will "Look" bigger too in 18 also, just because of the simplistic spoke design
 

Nix

Jötunn Moderator
10,765
8,162
Lew-vul, KY
Body Style
It's A Fast Pig!
I agree. I think you should stick to 18's as a 17 may have a "small" appearance.
 

ac3jason

Well-Known Member
287
119
Maryland, Germantown
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Sedan
Coup def looks more swole than the sedans so get 18. I doubt u really need the performance that bad scuderi. If you really do. Get mechanical mods first then when you get rlly serious get the smaller/lighter wheels @Scuderi
 

derekfriedrice

Well-Known Member
341
301
Mesa, Arizona
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
Currently looking at wheels for my 2014 fg4 (coupe). What do you guys think of this infamous question; stay with 18s or downsize to 17s. Some say 17s are better for performance, 18s for looks. Also, some wheels (like RPF1s I think) look bigger than others of the same size (stock looks kind of big?) I have been looking at enkei T6s and they have concavity. Do you think these wheels will look bigger or smaller as 18s (if that makes any sense). Thanks guys

18x9.5 pictured on fr-s. best picture of concaved ones I could find.
View attachment 48591


Here's my car on 17's haha

 

Scuderi

Well-Known Member
382
93
Maryland
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
Love those wheels with the blue. Don't get me wrong, love your car and style, but to met it just looks like the wheels are a tad too small. Maybe its just because I'm used to 18s.. your STRs were 18s weren't they? What do you think?
 

Michal006

Well-Known Member
9,565
4,674
PA
Vehicle Model
Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 6MT
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Access Cab
Love those wheels with the blue. Don't get me wrong, love your car and style, but to met it just looks like the wheels are a tad too small. Maybe its just because I'm used to 18s.. your STRs were 18s weren't they? What do you think?

For function get 17" with meaty tires. 18s look like DUBs on our Civic's.




Ya feelin me Dawg.
 

Scuderi

Well-Known Member
382
93
Maryland
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
They're not quite DUB status yet hahaha. When they gonna make 17.5 wheels? perfect lol
 

Michal006

Well-Known Member
9,565
4,674
PA
Vehicle Model
Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 6MT
Body Style
Access Cab
They look big to me. A lot of people would agree with me, but that's just my opinion....
 

derekfriedrice

Well-Known Member
341
301
Mesa, Arizona
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
Love those wheels with the blue. Don't get me wrong, love your car and style, but to met it just looks like the wheels are a tad too small. Maybe its just because I'm used to 18s.. your STRs were 18s weren't they? What do you think?

Yeah they definitely do, I liked the 18's because slammed on those I was still high enough to drive normally lol. With these I scrape a bit more, but I'm gonna get meaty tires for them soon :)
 

fazzster

Well-Known Member
23
10
MA
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Sedan
17's...improved ride quality without sacrifice in handling....lighter......less expensive....still looks good (subject to debate)...heck, I run 16's in the winter
 

JakeDBP

Well-Known Member
414
271
Erie, PA
Vehicle Model
Civic Si FB6
Body Style
Sedan
I actually like the look of the 17s, but I'm obviously biased. 18s don't have enough sidewall for my liking! The 17s IMO strike a nice balance, and look perfectly sized if you're lowered.
 
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