Well yesterday afternoon I put the SSR Type C wheels back on the car, these were a special run by Tire Rack and only available from them. I know when people buy wheels it can be a very emotional choice. For many looks are the bottom line. I went the other way, I wanted the best performing wheels I could afford. That left me with about 1 choice in my price range. While the looks of the SSR has grown on me they would not have been my first choice or even my 15th choice in the graphite color, I have seen them in silver and like them much better (thanks Randy you had to show me those didn't you). Yesterday I drove to work in the rain on my stock wheels and tires, today on the SSR's and admittedly a much better tire the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01's. The difference was very apparent. The wheels made the car feel lighter and brake better, they are 6 lbs per wheel lighter than our stock wheels, I lost anouther 1/2 lb per wheel with light weight lug nuts. The factory wheels are actually pretty light at 23 lbs, the SSR's are 17 lbs. That is a reduction in unsprung weight of 25% that is A LOT. The tires weight very close to the same. The tires make a huge difference as well, my car is a bit skidish in the rain on the factory tires, very easy to see the low traction light. With the Bridgestones the car is just so much more stable, can barely feel that the roads are wet, but I digress. The wheels do make a very noticable difference, I was glad I could compare them in the same circumstanes 24 hours apart. I guess what I am really saying is not so much SSR wheels are better but lighter wheels sure as heck are. Before you plunk down a bunch of money on new wheels check the weight, it does make a difference.
Pro's: better braking by a significant amount, better handling lighter feel of car in general, maybe better gas milage. Makes my car look like a Time Attack car, or an urban attack vehicle, I kinda like it.
Con's: Even on sale the wheels were over $1100, they are not the prettiest wheels I have ever seen but they work.
