re: 17" wheels on a Spider

[Tessie McMillan <tessmc@domain.elided>]

OK, it's been a while since I've asked a dumb question or played the 
devil's advocate... so I'll do both! &:-)

Why would anyone WANT 17" wheels on a Spider? I've seen honking large 
wheels on, for example, dedicated GT-3 race cars that are driven primarily 
at high speeds in high gear. But for the street or the track, I wouldn't
consider anything larger than 15" on my Spider (I'm also aware 16" are 
used on the Quad, and as Gordy would say, I have an opinion about that 
too) and for my Audi Quattro as well (although as far as looks go, it 
would work on the Audi). I've got 16" for my 911 and do not ever intend to 
consider anything larger. Personally, I think 14" is a really decent size 
for the Spider except for the incredibly annoying fact that it's hard to 
find good tires... (as was my experience when I bought new 14" wheels for 
Olive Oil a year or so ago).

For a light car like the Spider I think you're unnecessarily adding to the 
unsprung weight to bump the wheels up to 17". And one would have to change 
the tire profile to something ridiculously low, not to mention the fact 
that tires cost more in a larger size. I guess I just don't see the point 
of this exercise, if the car is still to be nimble in traffic.

Someone please enlighten me?

Rant button off, dumb-question button turned back off.

Tess
in Bellevue, WA U.S.A.
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