So I am new to all this wheels and tires stuff. I am mostly into Audio when it comes anything aftermarket. So I am looking for some suggestions.

I have an '06 LS and I am looking for a lighter rim that will give me a bit better handling if that is even posible. I use to have a '02 neon RT and that thing handled sooo much better than the balt. One of my friends was saying that the wider tires contributed to the better handling. I know that isn't the only thing that made it better but if this would be a quick way to get a bit more handling I would be open to any suggestions.

So please help me in any way you can...

 

What sort of price range are you looking at? Volks are really light, but also extremely expensive. Rota's are pretty light and fairly cheap in price. A 17" wheel would be great on your LS, and a 215/45/17 or something similar would be great for handling. Some springs or coilovers would definately help in the handling department as well.

 

I have an 06 LS and I have 18 rims on my car with 225/45/18 tires and they grab like no other. The only other thing i'm going to do is put some sort of suspension in it and it should handle better than an SS.

But i'm not sure if the lighter wheel (give or take 3-5 pounds) will give a noticeable difference in handling on the car.

 

3-5 lbs will DEFINATELY give a big difference on handling. The car will feel more "tossable" and fun with lighter wheels. Keep in mind though, if you're going from 15's or 16's to say an 18 inch rim, you're goign to get something thats heavier, but will also move the weight out further which will negatively affect braking and acceleration.

I would suggest looking for a 18ish lb 17x7 rim and put some nice tires on it. You'll get less sidewall flex, a wider tire, and you'll keep the weight down.

I do want to ponit out though that tires aren't the only way you can improve the handling of the car. Right now you can buy sway bars, springs, coilovers, bushings and braces for the cobalt. I personally woulnd't get springs just yet though because there aren't struts or shocks to match. You'll end up killing yours in a matter of months with lowering springs.

 

I got 18 X 8 Momo's that weigh 17lbs & I love the way they Feel!

 

Suspension is definately sqishy. I miss the way my Tracker handled. Btw, I did not know they had coil overs available for the Cobalt.

 

If you want better handling get springs, sway bar, front STB and rims and tires. Car will handle like a dream. On my 2.2 I went with a rear sway, then STB, then new tires. Car has almost no body roll even with the existing excessive fender gap

 

I have 18x8s that weigh around 17-18lbs each on 225/40/18s and it grabs ground like a dream. Kumho Ecsta SPT and eibach sportlines on my LT

 

I agree w/ Sicklyscott....
yeah I had an 03' neon R/T.... very tossable! I know from experience that swapping out the factory front end bushings for some urethane bushings and going to a wider/better tire (KUMHO SPT's 1 size wider + 1 size lower) will make a world of a difference (as I did this w/ my R/T) and it handled like a go cart!

 

This is a little off topic, but are you ever going to post more pictures of your car in your gallery? Kinda intriqued with your paint scheme and I'm sure us all would like to see more photos ...

 

I was just gonna say that My 2-piece MOMO's only weigh 17lbs each...I don't think I've found a nicer looking/better performing wheel

 

wow listerman, we have the same setup but i have 17s

 

so what do those 17lb MOMO's cost ???? $200 ea?

 

mine were 450 each.

 

Premium performing wheels require a premium price.

 

well.... they are beautiful!!! I really low balled that one