Hold it!

[sickfleming]

As I was working on my leaky fuel tank, I looked at my struts and springs. Talk about rusty! I have a feeling they might have something to do with the popping over speedbump sounds, premature bearing age etc. I am in the middle of an aspire swap (rounding up all the parts needed right now) so I think if I were to get some suspension while I'm at it, why not?

What I am wondering is which struts and springs fit on a Festiva with an aspire swap and what are some common upgrades. I've heard Rio gear is plug and play, but I just want some more details and options.

Also, could you guys tell me some examples of cars that have size 13 wheels that are Aspire-hub compatible?

That would be a huge help. Thanks!

Ps. Please don't simply tell me to use the search. For some reason the search engine doesn't like my phone lol

[zoe60]

I have Aspire wheels on mine with 185/60/13 tires. Festiva struts and springs. Works out great. There are other options though. I never did the Aspire front sway bar, hit my transmission mount too much. Would like to get it done.

[Team Lightning]

My 93L has rio struts, springs with 1.75 coils cut on the front. I have aspire knuckles, Escort GT calipers and pads and an aspire manual sway bar. I'm running 15x6.5 wheels with 195-50-15 tires.
My 90 has aspire knuckles, stock festiva springs and aspire auto sway bar. 14" escort LX wheels with 185-60-14 tires.
Is there any particular reason you want to go with 13" wheels?

[sickfleming]

Because I don't really know which bolt pattern the aspire uses and which cars use the same and aspire wheels are the safe bet lol. I feel a bit silly about it since I was a tire shop crew chief way back when. I assume 4x100, 4x108 or 4x114?

I would assume earlier gen miata, civic, capri, mx-3, accord and some vw wheels should bolt up along with aftermarket wheels

[Festiva_Fred]

4x100 is aspire, not too hard to find wheels in that pattern.

[zoe60]

14's would be a good idea. 13 inch tires are getting hard to find.

[Bert]

14's would be a good idea. 13 inch tires are getting hard to find.

13s in Festy-compatible sizes are getting harder to find but 175/70s and 155/80s are still very common. Decent 14s that don't rub and are not overly big are also not common; stuff like 165/60s. I got hold of a set of 155/65-14s last summer that I enjoy and don't look out of place nor rub on the wheel wells.

[sickfleming]

I've seen you guys put Miata wheels on Festiva, but if I did that, would I have to get smaller tires? I think miatas use 185/60-14s or something

[Flyin4stroke]

The aspire front sway bar is too stiff.. IMO

[91blufestiva]

if you go with 14s, go with 185/60/14, thats what i'm runnin on my miata wheels and they aren't that hard to find, and they only rub on huge bumps with a lot of wieght in the car.

[Festevil3]

if you go with 14s, go with 185/60/14, thats what i'm runnin on my miata wheels and they aren't that hard to find, and they only rub on huge bumps with a lot of wieght in the car.

What type of struts are you running?

[Larry Hampton]

I keep searching Craigslist locally for some 4x100/4x114 wheels in either 13",14" or 15". Few and far between and those I do find cost more than a Festy.....

[DriverOne]

Re: Hold it!

I found my wheels in a junkyard. Less than $200 for 5 of them. They're 14x6". That may be your best bet. The 4x100 pattern was used by VW, Toyota and Honda, so you might find a nice-looking stock wheel from another car for very little money. The 165/55R14 and 165/60R14 tires are the best sizes (ebay has them cheap) for the Festiva using a 14" wheel. The 55's are most accurate concerning your speedo, but the 60's may be cheaper.

[91blufestiva]

What type of struts are you running?

aspire monroe's in back, stock festy in front. fms festiva lowering springs in all 4 corners.

[sickfleming]

Hey 91blufestiva, I see in your sig that you have a mercury mystique also. Does your car have a V6 and fuel pump/sending unit sticking/lean engine problems too? My gf's dad keeps taking hers to the shop only to have it fail a month later. It's getting a very expensive to keep running, Any thoughts?