5 of the Lightest Economical Wheels To Purchase Now

SSR Competition

These little nuggets are lightweight and super strong thanks to being a 1-piece forged wheel. If you get lucky you can find a used set for around $1,000 but they don’t come up all that often. These wheels were so light that some 15” sizes weighed under 10 lbs with a 17x9s coming in around 15.2 lbs on the scales. Massive reductions in unsprung weight can be gained with these wheels over many other aftermarket units of the same size. As a result of the forging process, you can bang potholes and curbs at the track without having to worry about breaking them. You get what you pay for and they just happen to look good on almost anything.  

Enkei RPF1

A classic wheel to put on any car, these also look the part on just about anything. Weight comes in at 15.9 lbs for a 17x9 size wheel which is less than two pillows according to industry leading scientists. The 6 dual-spoke design gives adequate brake cooling as well—another added bonus on top of increased performance in acceleration, braking and cornering. If you get a chance to score a set of 4 you shouldn’t pass them up. These wheels are legendary for a reason. 

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949 6UL

Sounding more like a serial number than a racing wheel, the 6UL has become a legendary wheel among the tuner crowd. Priced around $250 per wheel they come in at 17.4 lbs for a 17x9 which makes them slightly heavier than the Enkeis, but they are still one of the best wheels on sale today. They are a cast unit which means they aren’t as strong as a solidly forged wheel, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Emilio and the guys really did a number on the industry when they released these and they’re used on everything from autocross cars to endurance racing machines. You save a bit of money compared to a fully forged wheel which means if one were to crack it isn’t as big of a deal to replace it. Solid wheel, great team and a lot of engineering that went into making these a quality piece that’s obtainable by anyone who is serious about their build.  

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Wedsport TC105N

Wedsport hails all the way from Japan with a serious resume to back them up. These 17x9 come in at 15.7 lbs a piece and utilize something called flow form casting which fits somewhere in between a standard cast wheel and a fully forged wheel. This emerging middle ground in the wheel world has created a new space for those on a budget that still want insane performance. 15.7 lbs is nothing to scoff at on a wheel of that size and it will be immediately felt the first time you take a corner. Don’t discount these if you’re looking for a new set of wheels. The multispoke design is pretty aggressive and looks particularly good in a bronze finish. They are slightly expensive at $400 /ea. when new. Hunt for a used set on this one before you fork over your cash. 

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Enkei PFO1SS

Enkei makes the list again with this wheel that shares a design that is similar to the 6UL minus one spoke. Tipping the scales at 19.18 lbs these aren’t the lightest in the comparison, but they aren’t exactly heavy enough to notice. Prices vary by $20 here or there depending on where you buy from. Expect to pay somewhere around $275/ea. for these. Made with a process called M.A.T. the wheels are 1-piece cast design with a process called “spinning” that creates the rim. They’re a great looking wheel that comes in at an affordable price for their weight. Definitely worth your money and a look for your S2000. 

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