16" Steelies for '03 Legacy GT?

[shortlid]

I have a set of 205/55R16 Gislaved Nord Frost II's that are BRAND new. I want to put them on my Mom's '03 Legacy GT sedan for the winter. BUT, I really do not want to subject the MINT stock alloys to the winter. Any other options like steelies that will fit?

[GLCraig]

It depends on how much you want to pay. I've been at the parts counter at my local dealer while another customer was buying some 16" take-off wheels but they were not real cheap. You could checkout the local used parts houses or the wrecking yards for some.

[shortlid]

Yea, that is most likely going to be my best bet. There is a wrecking yard in Manchester, NH that has about 15 wrecked Roo's siting around.

 

Can anyone tell me what years, models, and trim levels of cars Subaru OR NOT will have the 16" 5X100 bolt pattern wheels with the correct off-set and center bore?

[outback_97]

If you're open to the idea of alloys, one can get a set of 02-04 WRX wheels pretty inexpensively, like $100-$200 or so. They're pretty good wheels, lightweight and strong, plus they look good on Legacies IMO. They are 16" and have the 5x100 bolt pattern. The offset will slightly differ* from your target though, but maybe not enough to matter. IIRC some WRX wheels were 55mm offset and some were 53mm.

 

Steve

 

EDIT: *actually offset appears to be similar too, based on links below.

[shortlid]

Good info to know! What is the offset of Legacy wheels? Which years of Impreza/WRX had which offset? Will Forester or Outback wheels work?

[outback_97]

All this info is out there for the searching. From www.nasioc.com:

 

One of many good threads with info (check the FAQ's first in any Nasioc forum, more info less noise):

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216055

 

From post #26 within that thread:

 

Legacy/OB '02:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=10147

 

Impreza '02:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=10146

 

Forester '03:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=10148

 

Seems that some people reported 53mm offset for early '02 WRX wheels. Then 55mm after that, and that's what's listed in the service manual linked above. Conveniently, that's the same as the '02 Legacy GT based on the info linked above.

 

Steve

[shortlid]

Outback and Forester wheels will not work since they are 48mm offset not the 55mm I need for the GT. Only Roo with the 16" rims I need is '02 and UP WRX's. Did not see any WRX's at the junk yard so I guess it's Ebay time.

[outback_97]

For better prices than Ebay, try here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

Or here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=89

 

Search for "wrx wheels" or "wrx rims" (including the quote marks) in these forums, look around, there's TONS of these for sale if you're willing to shop around. Prices ranging from $125 to $350 for a set of four, I'd hold out for the lower end. Since they're for winter use, I'd consider some with curb rash or cosmetic damage to save money. When I bought mine in '03, I paid $250 for a pristine set of four with tires that were almost brand new. Good luck.

 

Steve

[shortlid]

Sweet, thanks for all the help! Will keep my eyes peeled!