There are a gazillion alloy wheels out there. Should I be concerned that non Lexus 17" rims will cause problems? How about the tire pressure sensors working properly? I think the trident F Sport wheels are pretty sharp. The last thing I want is an after market rim set to mess up the tires or suspension and Lexus void the warranty.
Any suggestions?
non lexus rims will not cause any problems and these days a lot of wheel manufacturers are designing their wheels to work with the tpms of today's cars. unfortunately, you'll have to do your own research to see if the stock tpms or aftermarket tpms will work in harmony with the wheel and car. one thing i suggest though is not to go with a "cheap" rim and try to stay with a respected brand name wheel, because you really get what you pay for--otherwise you may end up with a heavier wheel that is not as well manufactured to the tolerances as the stock wheel. just my opinion of course.
I'm new to the whole modification scene but I'm excited about adding my own touch to my new CT. Can someone explain the advantages and disadvantages of lowering the car with the springs. All I know is that I like the aggressive look of the lowered CT. Also I'm thinking about 18 inch rims. Would they work with the lowered CT?
you have good taste to like a lowered stance. it just makes any car look better, no matter what...and if done properly, you get some better handling to boot. some advantages to lowering the car, in general, are lowered center of gravity for better handling, higher spring rates for increased roll resistance, possibly better emergency maneuvering due to aforementioned reasons. some disadvantages could be less suspension travel and possibility of bottoming out on dampers, increased tire wear if not aligned properly, scraping on steep/inclined roads or driveways or speedbumps, reduced damper life, bouncy/harsher ride. of course, these are all dependent on a bunch of things, but i hope you get the general idea. again, sticking with a quality manufacturer for spring or coilover setup will be the best bet as they will have done their r&d over smaller no-name companies.
finally, the ct200h will accept an 18" wheel easily.