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I mentioned on 'the other' site (jokingly) that I'd sell my 'pie plates' to a non-hybrid driver, and another actually replied and PM'd me asking to trade.

Generally speaking, most people like the design of the EX wheels, and the tires would probably handle better than the Bridgestone Insignia SE200's I've got on my HCH2.

The downside is that there's going to be a FE hit. What I don't know is....how much ? Less than 2mpg ? More ? I'm interested in maintaining at least EPA if I can, but right now, that seems to be no problem at all. I run less than max sidewall on the Insignias, and would likely do the same with the other tires, for comfort reasons.

Would you trade ? Comments welcomed.

It's really hard to say. Whatever the FE hit due to aerodynamics you know that it will be most noticeable at highway speeds and negligible around town. The tires shouldn't make a huge difference as long as they are well inflated.

And that's all I know.

Hi Mark:

___Trade those HCH-II pie plates away as that is about the only thing I do not like about the HCH-II. You can always create some lexan type clear caps to fix the aerodynamics if in fact there is a hit. I am suspecting about .5 mpg aero hit at higher speeds and depending on the weight difference between the HCH-II wheels and the EX’s, maybe a .25 mpg hit around town? A WAG at best however …

___And about a possible speedometer error. You may want to look up the height or # of revolutions per mile of the HCH-II’s P195/65 R15 89S by comparison to the EX’s P205/55 R16 89H’s.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Yep - I had forgotten about the speedo error, but remembered it as soon as I hit the 'post' button today...ironic, because in the other site's thread - I was the one who mentioned it...LOL

I had looked it up for the guy who would have been going the other way, and his speedo would have been about 5% 'fast'....mine would likely be the other way around. I'd definitely get the thing recalibrated.


Wayne - just curious - did you feel the same way about the Insight's rims ? I had the fortune to park next to a New Formula Red (unlike yours, it had some dings) :( at the grocery the other day, and noted that while they were extremely similar, they weren't exactly alike (I had thought they were direct knock-offs until I saw them close up).

I have noted the other similariites between the two cars (gauges, speedometer, etc). Honda gets a lot of mileage out of their designs (no pun intended) :)

.25mpg up to 45mph ? I could probably live with that, as I almost never take the interstate to / from work anymore. Couple more pounds of air would probably offset that, even. :p

Mark,
I have voiced my negative feelings about the Honda Civic II rims in the past.
Would I trade them simply because of their looks? Probably not. Just because they look bad doesn't mean they don't perform well. And really, other people probably have to look at the rims more than you do.

Hi Mark:

___Although I wish the Insight had nicer looking rims; any replacement caused unforeseen havoc to its FE capabilities. Guys would lose upward of 5 mpg and they weren’t anywhere near extreme hypermiling numbers! That was with both a rim and tire swap however … To answer your question, yes, I wish I could have done a swap for better looks but no, I would never have taken the FE hit as it would have been a lot more then the EX rims on the HCH-II more then likely.

___The HCH-II feels a bit stronger then the Insight although by the 0 - 60 numbers, the Insight 5-speed can still take both the HCH-I and II to the woodshed. I just don’t know what the outcome will be and left the WAG’s up there for you to ponder. As stated above, I disliked the Insight’s rims but its FE was far too precious to play around with vs. running non-OEM rims and tires. The HCH-II is in a totally different category and with your non-highway commute; you are going to smash the EPA estimates no matter what you place on her ;)

___Besides Billy’s Insight, there is one other I would have loved to own … A photochopped X-sight special for sure but the smooth alloys and clean surfaces really do something for me ;)

Before
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Xsight.jpg
After

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Mark,
I have voiced my negative feelings about the Honda Civic II rims in the past.
Would I trade them simply because of their looks? Probably not. Just because they look bad doesn't mean they don't perform well. And really, other people probably have to look at the rims more than you do.

Ya had to be the different one, and use a different handle on this site, eh, Eric ? LOL I was going to do that, but 'conformed'...so I'll live vicariously through you :)

Back on topic.... Really, my issue isn't so much with the *wheels*, especially since they're supposed to be functional - it's the TIRES that disappoint me. Lots of people complain about the Michelin MXVs that come on Accords, but I daresay they're a darned sight better than the Insignias I have now (and I like Bridgestone, generally). So both actually come into play here, but I'm neutral on the wheels, just for the sake of argument. ;) Appreciate your comments / opinions.

___The HCH-II feels a bit stronger then the Insight although by the 0 - 60 numbers, the Insight 5-speed can still take both the HCH-I and II to the woodshed.

This, I wouldn't doubt - 'back in the day', when I had my '88 Si, I took 283 Fords and 350 Chevys to the woodshed! It goes w/o saying, but you're comparing (in my case) an MT-equipped car to a CVT-equipped one. No contest!

Hell, I took almost anything I ran back then to the shed - 106 HP and 1650lbs wet (plus me) made for a quick ride, with a stock (!) 4.25 gear

Although the Insight has the tiny engine (like my L13 is 'big'...lol) , it's got decent gearing and light weight. But, guys like us - we stay *in* the shed, now...LOL What a difference 20yrs makes.

As an aside, when I heard you went to Sebring, I nearly fell over - indiscriminate use of gasoline for purely recreational purposes ? What's gotten into you ? :p j/k...Hope you had a good time.


I just don’t know what the outcome will be and left the WAG’s up there for you to ponder. As stated above, I disliked the Insight’s rims but its FE was far too precious to play around with vs. running non-OEM rims and tires.

Agreed. I get antsy when I'm -1 mpg below average. -5 ? I'd be looking for a window to jump out of (kidding, but barely).



The HCH-II is in a totally different category and with your non-highway commute; you are going to smash the EPA estimates no matter what you place on her ;)

Thanks. I'm not there yet, though (although I do 56-58mpg daily going to work now)

This brings up another topic, which I'll save for a new post...but you (and the iFCD) seem to concur with my thought that the car is most efficient *under* 55mph, which is what (mostly) I drive on the Interstate. This is a big change from the Accord, and frankly, I'm a little disappointed by that, because I often drive into Chicago. But I saw the evidence of that on my extended test drive, so I can't say I didn't have knowledge of foresight. Just didn't realize it at the time.

I'm with you on the second Insight pic. ;)

I have to agree about those Michelins. MXVs came stock on the Volvo that I dumped for the Accord. Wet handling was downright scary and even dry traction and handling made me nervous from time to time. Even a heavy car like that should not have squirmed through turns the way I was driving it. The Bridgestone Touranzas on the Accord are a dramatic improvement, especially when there is water on the roads.

Well,

I left and watched a movie and thought about this some more and have decided to put in my, Remarks.

So, you did ask for input from others so I take it that you would have not asked if you did not want an Honest reply. So without further to-do.

"Don't" change those wheels and tires out on your (Brand-New) HCH II.

Here is the reason, why-not: You are taking a (Chance) that if anything comes up revolving around a problem that the dealer thinks could be (Linked) to the changing of those Factory Wheels and Tires. The dealer can Void-Your-Warranty. I am not playing, this is for real. Like it or not you are altering the Factory set-up on that HCH II that Honda designed and Built. So, my suggestion is once again, "Don't" do it.

I was very reluctant to voice this comment to you here, because believe me I am very aware of the fact this is the Last-Thing you wanted to here regarding this matter. However, I feel at the same time, since I have worked at a dealership for the past 10-Yrs. I owe it to you to at least be Honest with you and simply point this out to you. With this being said I wish you the best with your HCH II and your final decision on this Tire and Wheel matter.

Hey all,

I didn't want to make a new thread since this one already exists and I just have a few simple questions...sorry for hijacking your thread Green&Blue :p. I'm thinking of changing the rims on my HCHII for the civic SI rims, they are 17 inch rims (not the 16 inch EX rims) and I just wanted to know will the change in rim size affect the car? and will the hit in FE be worse than going with EX rims?

-Bill