Why not run 17 x 17.5 +42 all around? What's the big deal if it's not a tracked car?

 

traction would be affected due to the contact patch being smaller... thus it would be a downgrade. plus it would look funny and people will laugh at you.

 

Is it due to the size or because of it not being staggered? It seems like there's a lot of...hate...around this size. lol

 

where are you finding 17.5" wide wheels?

 

he means 7.5 wide ,,, im goin with a 7" rear on my ap1. 7.5 whens stock for ap2 is a 8.5 is a little much, i dont think its a big deal thou buy 1 first to make sure it dosent look funny, the tire actually will fit differently

 

You bought a performance car and are sacrificing the performance for the sake of "bling". I guess if there is anything "wrong" with it, it's that.

But if you drive it around town like an Accord, then sure, 7.5" all around won't hurt you.

 

The real question is why would you? If you are referring to those XD9, a wheel I actually like, then it would be a downgrade in looks and performance on a CR. You would be limited to something like a 225 width tire in the rear. In addition, I don't think it would look as good as you think. IMO you have to run a 8.5" +42 front and 9.5" +44 rear to get a decent size lip in that wheel to be an upgrade. It sounds like you just found some random wheels and want to slap them on, do it right the first time and I think you will be much happier overall.

 

Let me just put out it out there that I'm pretty clueless when it comes to these things. It's not a matter of looks v. performance. I'm genuinely asking because I don't know. Secondly, I went with 17 x 17.5 +42 because that's the closest to OEM specs for the front. I was more worried about the fronts then the backs because of fitment. If I could, I would sell the back two and upgrade them. As of now, I don't really know what to do! :-/ Ugh. Any thoughts on what the next steps should be? Sell them, try to recoup my losses and try again? Finding a staggered set is nearly impossible for a good price (under 1000) and I don't want to modify my fenders. I'm not too comfortable with running these wheels...

 

The fronts are fine. If you can get a 17x8.5 or 17x9 wheel in that same style, I would probably try to do that instead - and only if these are GOOD looking wheels. If they aren't that great, I would probably just sell them and go back to stock.

The tire size is generally more important than the wheel size. Staggered is better for most folks.

 

I'm sure you mean 17 x 7.5 +42 and not 17 x 17.5

The reason you wouldn't do this (or that it's popular opinion that it's not smart) is because you will not get enough rubber on the road to even equal stock grip levels, much less than if you invested in proper fitting wheels that actually increase contact patch and no DECREASE it.