[PrivatePilot]

I suspect I completely missed it as I can't imagine this has not been discussed before, but after some searching I couldn't find any information.

I am without doubt putting a set of snow tires on my wife's gen1 this winter as she has a commute on a daily basis that takes her up a notoriously snowy stretch of highway.

As opposed to having the tires switched onto her alloys I have always been a believer in having a second set of steel rims for the winter, problem is everybody wants three arms and six legs for them up here In Canada.

Are there any common vehicles that use the same size/compatible rim so far as offset, hub size, etc.? I have a scrapyard about 15 minutes from my house and I would like to be able to just go and tell them I need a set of rims for "X" make/model and pick them up. I'd then take them to my local tire shop and have snows mounted.

Thoughts/info appreciated.

 

[Steverino]

Listed in the Newcomers forum in the FAQ's, under Wheels and Tires

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?127506-A-Newcomers-Guide-Chevy-Volt-Tips-amp-FAQ-Index

I6 years ago I bought a donut spare for my 2011 at a local auto salvage yard. $10. Also got the right scissors jack there. Also $10. Went there again yesterday and bought jacks for my Bolt (different than Volt jacks). Inflation has taken place in the past 6 years. It was $12.50, lol

 

[hellsop]

As a nice lucky bonus, I know I've seen steel wheels with the right bolt pattern and diameter on ebay shipping from Canada, so... SOMEONE there makes them.

 

[PrivatePilot]

Listed in the Newcomers forum in the FAQ's, under Wheels and Tires

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?127506-A-Newcomers-Guide-Chevy-Volt-Tips-amp-FAQ-Index

Thanks... I did see that but wasn't sure how up to date it was. So, basically, a few caddy's are the only thing that are apt to have cheap steelies that fit the Gen1? I looked around and most of the scrapyards still want between $50-$80/each for them up here - at that price I might as well buy new ones, and then I might as well just pay to have the winters swapped into and off of our alloys - I have a shop that'll do it for $60 per swap, so even getting it done twice a year it'd take around 4 years to break even on the cost of buying a set of steels, not to mention the cost of a second set of TPMS sensors, etc etc. Perhaps I'll find a better deal down the road.

 

[llninja]

I don't think Caddies have cheap steelies any more. I think they all have nice forged wheels, so yes, the prices will be higher that steelies.

I happen to have a 2004 CTS so my Volt and CTS wheels are interchangeable. I ended up buying 18" rims and Yokohama Avid Ascend all season tires and put Yokohama ICEguards on my OEM volt polished rims. It was about $2K for everything, rims, TPMS, 2 sets of tires.

 

[Steverino]

I bought 4 aluminum wheels and Blizzak winter tires from TireRack for my Volt. $1200 with TPMS, balanced, delivered. If you do that, you have 4 "spares".

 

[Givmedew]

Over 10 years ago I bought a set of winter tires from Discount Tire. At the time they where willing to do free swaps of you bought your tires from them. I had bought both sets from them but I don't think it was necessary. I think they know that at some point you'll need new tires and at that point they will refuse the swap and ask you to buy new tires.

They also do free rotations... Partially for the same reason. It gets you coming back to them and when your tires are almost gone they will recommend new ones and you might buy them. When your tires are shot they will refuse to rotate or swap them unless you buy new tires.

I've always been happy with their prices and their policies. I've bought a lot of tires from them. I've purchased from other places as well it depends on who you know. I got a guy that will swap tires for $30 and he will also patch or plug just about anything where as discount tire will turn down a lot of stuff that can be repaired. But they are being safe and trying to sell tires and warranties so I understand why they do it.

Ask around... I don't know if any stores like that exist in your area. I'd call around and ask.

 

[Givmedew]

Oh also I'm in the same boat. I want to buy a set of wheels for the winter. Hoping to find older OEM wheels that are cheap.

 

[PrivatePilot]

I ended up finding a really great deal on a set of snows locally, so I snapped them up. No rims, but at this point I have access to a tire place that will do the swap (including balancing) for $60 total. A set of steel rims was going to cost me about $500 by the time I was done ($50/each for rim at the same place, plus another $50 per tire for a new TPMS, plus taxes on it all) so I've decided to just eat the cost of swapping between the all seasons and the snows for at least the first winter with the car.

 

[llninja]

I bought 4 aluminum wheels and Blizzak winter tires from TireRack for my Volt. $1200 with TPMS, balanced, delivered. If you do that, you have 4 "spares".

Plus, it's amazing how often I put a snow tire on temporarily to fix a flat or cracked rim. I don't like the tire greas monkeys taking an impact wrench to my cars, so I'd much rather bring the tires/wheels, have them do the swap and balancing, and I'll torque my own nuts.

 

[Jefferios]

I'm looking at a set for just under $750 on Tirerack for my winter setup. I can't find wheels any cheaper than that site at the moment.

 

[emg77]

Oh also I'm in the same boat. I want to buy a set of wheels for the winter. Hoping to find older OEM wheels that are cheap.

I've used http://www.car-part.com/ before for replacement OEM rims. It's an auto recycle yard part search engine. Sometimes if you call the yard directly, they'll make a deal if they have a set of 4, especially if you can pick them up. Sometimes they'll throw in the TPMS sensors at a reduced rate too.

 

[Ls3miata]

I'm looking at a set for just under $750 on Tirerack for my winter setup. I can't find wheels any cheaper than that site at the moment.

Discount tires direct has a great rebate offer of up to $320 through Tuesday 9/5. I bought a set of 16" wheels mounted with blizzaks and TPMS sensors for $932. After rebates, cost will be $602.