Recent content by Leigh

that sounds likely - a little more research suggests my problem is that the center bore on the wheel is too small. Would a tire shop do this? Is it even worth it (ie. expensive & time consuming)?

15"s

This may be a weird/stupid question, but I've never had to deal with steel wheels on my MSP before - I got a set of steelies with winter tires from discount during their special recently. They arrived yesterday and I went to check the fit - size & bolt pattern is correct, but the wheels...

That sounds right (RHs are 17x7 55) - looks like they have a 55 offset for the 15" too (for some reason I wasn't bringing up the full set of wheels for awhile) so I may go with that instead - 232$ shipped for winters (less for the ipikes I believe), if anyone else is looking for a set, might...

Ah! think I may have it figured out finally - does anyone know if there's any reason to pay for that wheel installation kit? or will the 15" fit with the stock lugs? Looks like 280$ out the door with Icebear 195-60-15s... or about 450 with 16" wheels instead...

Is there some way to trick their system for that? I can't even find the steelies except when I try to put together a package... and then it won't let me customize the tire size off of their "standard" sizes. I've tried the protege 5, MSP and 626....

Can anyone confirm the fit on the steelies from Discount Tire direct? They've got a 100$ off offer going right now and I've just moved far enough north to need something besides summers all the time. (be nice to get set up for <400$) They have packages for the 626 with the hankook ipike in...

My reason for being rather upset about this - the tread looks great still. I would have hoped to have gotten another good bit of driving out of them and maybe even a few autoXs =( I take them in today to have it checked out but they will probably all be replaced.

I was driving today when I heard an odd sound coming from the rear passenger side of the car. It sounded rather like the sound of a baseball card stuck through the spokes of a bike wheel. Pulled over and did an inspection but nothing was apparent as being stuck and the tire/wheel and wheel well...

nice! will you be running it anywhere else this year? I need a mazda to cheer for =)

Just to add though, if you are unconcerned with competition outside of "friendly" (yeah, sure its friendly (lol2)) locals it may be more than its worth to concern yourself with what mods will put you where. Since you've said you don't plan to do this to often, it may matter more that you enjoy...

Handling is so much more important at an autocross.... if you want confirmation go to events and see who is winning. Actually, best advice is to go to events and talk to people who are driving cars like yours fast. Generally they know what's working. Tires: Azenis are popular because they are...

Touch nothing until you've gotten some experience. The only thing I would recommend is tires and you've said you're not interested in that. It is more than OK (and probably a good idea to start) to run completely stock setup. If its just a few times a year you probably won't even eat up your...

I will probably only be tracking the MSP a few times a year... maybe 2 or 3 times (4 at most), so my priority is a good autocross pad (I take her out almost every weekend to autoX) that is streetable. If it could handle a few practice days at the track that would be ideal, but I can live with...

I was sort of suspecting that was what I'd have to do, but it doesn't hurt to ask... soonest I'll be heading to the track this year is October, so at least I can worry about it later... Changing the brake fluid before events it required by tech here, so that much I expected (why I want to be...