where to buy just one rim (for full-sized spare)?

[H.W. Stockman]

I want to get one rim, and have a full-sized tire mounted on it to use as a
real spare for my 2003 Subaru Outback non-VDC.

So far, I only find places that want to sell 4 rims as a set.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[xblazinlv]

TireRack...Discount Tire, etc

 

[Bugalugs]

I want to get one rim, and have a full-sized tire mounted on it to use as a
real spare for my 2003 Subaru Outback non-VDC.

So far, I only find places that want to sell 4 rims as a set.

Any ideas?

Wrecker....It's only going to be a spare. Probably get the tire on it too.

Bugalugs

 

[Filipp Stepanov]

Provided that you are looking for an OEM Subaru rim, in no particular order,
I would try these:

www.legacygt.com - they have a classifieds forum
www.ebay.com
www.car-parts.com - an inventory site for salvage yards
www.parts.com - links to subaru dealers (most expensive, but you get a brand
new wheel)

 

[lkreh]

If it's just a spare, I wouldn't limit yourself to an OEM wheel b/c
they're needlessly expensive. As long as the aftermarket wheel is
close in weight to the original, I think you're fine. But, I wouldn't
deviate too much in terms of weight b/c any significant difference in
unsprung weight on your car is going to create problems
handling/stability wise.

 

[Rick Courtright]

But, I wouldn't deviate too much in terms of weight b/c any
significant difference in unsprung weight on your car is going to
create problems

Hi,

While I'd agree you want to keep weights close, I've found width and
offset are FAR more important to handling than actual wheel weight. If
the OP's JUST looking for a spare, it's probably not much of a big deal.
OTOH, if he wants five matching wheels and tires to do a five wheel
rotation pattern, then matching ALL aspects of the wheel becomes quite
important.

Rick

 

[H.W. Stockman]

lkreh wrote: [...]
While I'd agree you want to keep weights close, I've found width and
offset are FAR more important to handling than actual wheel weight. If
the OP's JUST looking for a spare, it's probably not much of a big deal.
OTOH, if he wants five matching wheels and tires to do a five wheel
rotation pattern, then matching ALL aspects of the wheel becomes quite
important.

I'm just looking for a spare, and am actually glad to hear your point of
view. As someone suggested, discounttire.com will sell just one rim, but
the after-market (cheap) rims are all steel. In addition, I can match the
tire size much better than I can the weight, expercially if I choose to buy
a relatively inexpensive 225/60 whatever. Maybe I'm deceiving myself, but
my aim would be that the next time I have a flat on a dirt road 14 miles
from the highway, I don't have to disable AWD and hope I can get back up the
hills by the power of prayer alone, with Subaru's helpful instruction "do
not drive on any rough roads with the temporary spare".

A side note -- I had no trouble finding a 2003 Outback -compatible 16x6.5
rim, with 5-bolt patern, but was then stymied by these choices:

bolt diameter:
98 mm
100mm
108mm
112mm
114.4mm
115mm
120mm
120.65
....
205mm

I thought for sure I could find the size used in my car (original wheel
bolts), but the info is certainly not in the tiny manual from the glove
compartment, and I've yet to find the info on-line. It's just a US-sold
2003 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5 L, nothing special. My next step is to
take one of the lug nuts off.

 

[Blair Baucom]

lkreh wrote: [...]
While I'd agree you want to keep weights close, I've found width and
offset are FAR more important to handling than actual wheel weight. If
the OP's JUST looking for a spare, it's probably not much of a big deal.
OTOH, if he wants five matching wheels and tires to do a five wheel
rotation pattern, then matching ALL aspects of the wheel becomes quite
important.

I'm just looking for a spare, and am actually glad to hear your point of
view. As someone suggested, discounttire.com will sell just one rim, but
the after-market (cheap) rims are all steel. In addition, I can match the
tire size much better than I can the weight, expercially if I choose to
buy
a relatively inexpensive 225/60 whatever. Maybe I'm deceiving myself, but
my aim would be that the next time I have a flat on a dirt road 14 miles
from the highway, I don't have to disable AWD and hope I can get back up
the
hills by the power of prayer alone, with Subaru's helpful instruction "do
not drive on any rough roads with the temporary spare".

A side note -- I had no trouble finding a 2003 Outback -compatible 16x6.5
rim, with 5-bolt patern, but was then stymied by these choices:

bolt diameter:
98 mm
100mm
108mm
112mm
114.4mm
115mm
120mm
120.65
...
205mm

I thought for sure I could find the size used in my car (original wheel
bolts), but the info is certainly not in the tiny manual from the glove
compartment, and I've yet to find the info on-line. It's just a US-sold
2003 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5 L, nothing special. My next step is
to
take one of the lug nuts off.

That is the bolt hole circle diameter. It is 100 mm from the tirerack site
when I looked up your car. This size has been posted here before for most if
not all Subaru's

Blair

 

[H.W. Stockman]

[...]

That is the bolt hole circle diameter. It is 100 mm from the tirerack site
when I looked up your car. This size has been posted here before for most if
not all Subaru's

Thanks, I was able to find the size simply by trying a different route to
the same info on discounttire.com. They said they could make me a spare
with an aftermarket steel rim and a "less expensive" tire for about $128.
With luck, I'll be able to pick it up tomorrow.