I recently purchased a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and unfortunately I have to drive it during winter. I plan on keeping the car for at least 4 years and I drive approx. 20,000 km per year through snow for my sales job. I live in Ontario, Canada where winters can be nasty at times.
Currently my tires are P235/45 R18 94V. My objective is to have a safe drive during the winter without breaking the bank. I have called several tire suppliers including the Mitsubishi dealer and they have presented me with the following options: 1) 16" steel rims with tires 2) 17" steel rims with tires 3) 17" Aluminum rims with tires 4) Blizzak LM22 tires on my current Al rims. My concern with option 1 is that the size will be too small which will create problems with performance and appearance. Option 2 I was considering because 17" tires are cheaper, the steel rims would save wear and tear on my Al rims, less wear and tear on the tires being pulled on and off the Al rims twice a year and savings of $80 each time I don't have to install or remove tires from rims. However, two suppliers told me that they would not recommend buying steel rims over 16" because they are impossible to keep in balance. Option 3 is just too expensive. Option 4 means extra wear and tear on my Al rims, chance of damaging Al rims or tires during install and removal of tires.
Which option is best suited to my needs? Can I get away with 16" rims?

 

I'd recommend going for the steel rims. How it's tough to keep them in balance I don't know. I have 16" steel rims on my truck and have no trouble with balance.

 

I got steel rims for my 98 and they work fine there 16 with blizzard tires and ive had no problems with them...

 

its not the size of the rim that matters, its the size of the side wall. Oh and dont buy stuff at satan(dealer) they will shank your wallet. Try ebay or even tirerack.com

 

Has anyone put 16" steel rims and winter tires on a 2006 Eclipse yet? If so, does anyone have a part # for the steel rims and what size 16" tire?

 

That much I definately DON'T know. but I agree it's not the rim size it's the tire size that matters. You put lo pro's on the steel rim it'll be right back to square 1. And I don't see why a steel rim is any harder to maintain balance than aluminum. I would think it would be opposite. That the aluminum would be harder to maintain balance because anything you hit with aluminum will make a dent, scrape, scratch, gouge, or other mark. Whereas the steel is a much harder material.