Ten Best 5th and 6th Gen Camaro Wheels Under $2,000
The 5th and 6th Gen Chevrolet Camaros are loved by enthusiasts for their performance and retro styling. But there’s no better way to enjoy these cars than by getting them a new set of wheels from MRR Wheels, Ferrada, Rotiform, and many others. In this article, we’re going through popular wheel options under $2,000.
The Camaro remains a popular pony car as it was in the '60s. It has been integral in the hot rod culture, be it with the young guys or the more seasoned enthusiasts.
Part of the fun in owning one are the mods you can put on it. These parts can boost performance and aesthetics.
One of the easiest things to do is swapping out the wheels with new ones that fit your budget.
Navigate your way through the article here:
What's the Deal with Wheels?
The Importance of Proper Fitment
Picking the Best 5th and 6th Gen Camaro Wheels Under $2,000
Camaro Wheels Over $2,000
Checklist on Buying Your 5th and 6th Gen Camaro Wheels
A Brief Camaro History
The Modern-Day Pony Car Wars
What Makes a Modern Camaro?
Loving your Camaro
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What's the Deal with Wheels?
Putting on a new set of wheels on the Camaro can be one of the easiest ways to change your car’s appearance and add your personality to it. This turns your car from a standard factory spec unit to something worthy of attention on the streets.
The Importance of Proper Fitment
Shopping for new wheels is your chance to upsize from stock dimensions. Should you choose to go that route, you also have to be mindful of the adjustments needed for proper fitment.
Larger wheels can make your Camaro look pretty cool and dashing. Picking a set normally means matching them with low-profile tires.
Doing so prevents the tires from rubbing onto the fender. On the downside, having thinner tires will get you a slightly bumpier ride.
Another thing you should look out for is the offset. This usually goes in hand when you choose wider wheels. As the offset comes closer to zero or a negative value, the more the wheel would appear deeper and pushes the tire out from the fender.
The right offset can give your car a more aggressive stance. But the wrong one can result in handling and rubbing issues.
Don’t forget to factor in suspension and brake upgrades, if you have any. Proper clearance ensures these parts can function soundly on the road and track!
Here's a video of the things that can go on when you're installing new wheels and tires on your Camaro:
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Picking the Best 5th and 6th Gen Camaro Wheels Under $2,000
Now that we’ve set some guidelines for you, it’s time to check out popular designs in the market now. We look at some of the best Camaro wheels that look dashing but are easy on your budget.
MRR FS01
Starts at $1,900 per set of 4
The MRR FS01 is one of the flagship wheels of MRR. It has a lightweight multi-spoke design that brings style and sportiness together.
The lines flow smoothly all across the wheel with soft corners where spokes intersect. This works best when your Camaro has a decent drop and the right low-profile tires.
Its size ranges from 18” to 21” and comes in a variety of standard finishes such as Black, Silver, and Gunmetal. If you feel like standing out, MRR custom finishes might suit your Camaro build.
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Foose Legend
Starts at $1,420 per set of 4
The Foose Legend feels like a fitting tribute to the muscle cars and hot rods of previous generations. Its five spokes feel like a mix of Cragars and Torq Thrusts on steroids.
This wheel is perfect for bringing the classic muscle car vibe to your modern Camaro. And in a true Chip Foose fashion, the Legend comes in Chrome as well as Black.
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MRR M017
Starts at $1,500 per set of 4
The MRR M017 is a five-spoke wheel that can have for an easy trim upgrade. Its design is liberally inspired by Chevy’s wheel line-up in recent years.
This wheel is one of the more popular Camaro wheels for owners who want to make subtle aesthetic boosts to their car.
It is available in 20” and comes standard in Gloss Black and Gunmetal. But if you want it to stand out, you may opt to get a custom finish.
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Ferrada FR4
Starts at $1,940 per set of 4
The Ferrada FR4 comes with a modern vibe, just like the 5th and 6th gen Camaros.
Its ten floating spokes have their details stand out with clean lines and pronounced edges. The concavity can give the car a nice stance, especially when paired with a good suspension setup.
It is available in Machine Black/Chrome Lip, Machine Silver/Chrome Lip, Matte Black/Black Lip, and Matte Bronze/Black Lip.
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MRR M228
Starts at $1,400 per set of 4
The MRR M228 is an eye-catcher, to say the least. Its five Y-shaped spokes are spread wide apart, giving the wheel a balanced look.
Upon a closer look, you should also see the spokes’ surfaces in different angles. This brings out the lines, especially with the right lighting.
It comes in 20” and 22” with varying widths for your desired staggered set-up. It is available in the standard Gloss Black and Gunmetal finishes.
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3SDM 0.08
Starts at $1,480 per set of 4
The 3SDM 0.08 is a bold five-spoked wheel. The design is rather clean without excessive details. It has triangular slots big enough to let you see the brakes pretty well.
This wheel works best for stance and fitment Camaros. With the right size, offset, and drop, the car can be a serious looker on the streets.
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MRR M650
Starts at $1,160 per set of 4
The MRR M650 is a design inspired by another of Chevy’s performance wheels. This bares an aggressive multi-spoke design based on a pentagram.
Putting this on a Camaro can up its style game. Throw in a few OE-inspired panels along and it will easily look like a higher-tier performance car.
It is available in 20” and can come with a satin black or graphite finish.
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Rotiform KPS
Starts at $1,112 per set of 4
The Rotiform KPS is another pentagram-based wheel. Its spokes split into distinct Vs, forming triangle and trapezoid slots in between them.
While the spoke face is plain and flat, there are subtle details on the hub and lip. The triangular slots beside the studs accentuate the center while the stepped lip adds depth to the wheel.
It is available in 18” to 20” and comes in either Matte Black or Silver Machined.
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TSW Bathurst
Starts at $1,432 per set of 4
The TSW Bathurst might have been inspired by the best Aussie racecars.
The wheel has ten spokes grouped into five pairs. Each pair forms an elongated soft V pattern that merges on the hub.
It is available from 17” to 21” with varying widths and offsets to match your build. It comes in Gunmetal and Silver finishes.
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Asanti ABL-21 Leo
Starts at $1,356 per set of 4
The Asanti ABL-21 Leo is a wheel adorned with a lot of details. Its spokes assemble into an intricate flake of sort. A closer look reveals small slots that add fine accents to the lip and hub.
This wheel can bring a luxury vibe to the Camaro, especially with a decent amount of drop. It is currently offered only in 20 inches and comes in Brushed Silver.
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Camaro Wheels Over $2,000
If you have an extra few hundred bucks to spare:
MRR NES Forged FG08
The MRR NES Forged FG08 looks intricate enough to set any Camaro using it apart from all the others. It has five split spokes that form a sharp V while their bases have oval slots
This wheel can add an upper-tier motorsports vibe to the 5th and 6th gen Camaro without extensive upgrades. It's perfect for making a build clean, sporty, and upscale.
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Ferrada FR7
Starts at $2,240 per set of 4
The FR7 is another modern wheel design from Ferrada. Its seven spokes narrow down as they reach the stepped lip. Grooves can also be found on them which add an extra layer of detail.
It has a little bit of sporty appeal combined with finesse. It can easily make any 5th and 6th gen Camaro look fresh.
The Ferrada FR7 is available in Machine Silver, Matte Black, and Matte Bronze.
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Checklist on Buying Your 5th and 6th Gen Camaro Wheels
There are a lot of factors to consider before signing off the check for your brand-new Camaro wheels. Tick these factors off one by one to that you get the best buy for your build:
Price
When shopping for wheels, it’s always a good idea to set a price range within reasonable budget. Determine how much you are willing to spend for wheels and tires.
You should also leave room for maintenance and serviceable parts that might need replacement soon. You don’t want your car to end up not running properly or not at all.
Style
The wheel game is not always a one-style-fits-all kind of thing.
There are models that are more suited for sporty builds like the FS06 and M017. You would almost want to track these babies out of the wheel shop.
Then there are others that can turn your street machine car-show-worthy. These often have bolder designs and bigger dimensions like the Foose Legend and 3SDM 0.08.
Keep an overall concept in mind so that your new wheels will be appropriate to your build.
Tire Specs
Aftermarket 5th and 6th gen Camaro wheels might have different specs than OE ones. When you do the swap, make sure the tires’ specs are adjusted to the wheels.
As you increase wheel diameter, you compensate by reducing the tire profile. There are websites like this tire calculator that compares wheel and tire sizes for your applications.
Here's a video that helps explain a lot about tire specs:
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A Brief Camaro History
Now that your wheels are set, let's take a look back at how the Camaro came to be.
The ‘60s was the Golden Age for American cars. It was the perfect moment for car designers to put on their think tanks and come up with cutting-edge models of their time.
This period was also the dawn of muscle cars. Lighter and more powerful than their contemporaries, these cars were sought after by the youth.
The first Camaro came in a few years after the Ford Mustang’s introduction. It was Chevy’s long-awaited entry to the pony car wars.
Its boxy lines were more aggressive than its rival. While its performance also made it a serious threat on the straight line and Trans-Am racing.
In the '70s, the Camaro somehow kept its performance blueprint despite having to endure new safety and emission regulations. It kept a mildly tuned V8 block and sporty appearance in its options.
While the downsized Mustang II struggled to stay relevant, the Camaro rose to the top before the decade ended. It was still raced and even became NASCAR'S official pace car.
Fast-forward to the 21st Century, the Camaro underwent a design makeover. Its appearance is heavily inspired by the 1st Generation with a modern touch.
It also comes with potent engine options, making the Camaro attractive to enthusiasts from all walks of life.
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The Modern-Day Pony Car Wars
The pony car wars brought cars like the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger into the spotlight in the late ‘60s until the early '70s.
When their comeback happened in the mid-2000s, they showed that we’re in for even more exciting times.
The Camaro appealed to the younger guys with its appearance as the Autobot Bumblebee in the live-action Transformers movie.
To make things more interesting, Bumblebee had a face-off with a Decepticon disguised as a Mustang interceptor.
But the real fun begins in the aftermarket scene.
Enthusiasts are more than willing to soup up their Camaros to outdo Mustangs and Challengers.
The modern-day pony car wars is everywhere – from the dragstrip, car meets, and even SEMA.
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What Makes a Modern Camaro?
The 5th and 6th Gen Camaros share a close semblance - from looks to performance. That’s why these cars also usually get similar mods.
So how do enthusiasts set up their Camaros for the street and track?
Let’s take a look at what goes into popular builds beyond wheels.
Engine and power tunes
Modern Camaros come with potent V6 and V8 blocks. These motors can give enough power right off the factory.
But enthusiasts crave more power and better to suit their applications.
Usual modifications include intakes, headers, and exhaust systems.
Some even go as far as opening up the engine to replace internal components like the camshaft, crankshaft, pistons, and valves.
These parts improve the engine's performance. But today, there’s a quicker way to get more power gains.
Flash tunes can alter the way your Camaro’s computer runs the different engine functions. These tweaks can result to more horsepower, bigger torque, and better fuel efficiency.
The video below gives you a glimpse of how it's done:
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Body kits and aftermarket panels
Camaro owners can be inclined to add body kits and aftermarket panels to their cars.
Some of them are functional and improves aerodynamics in racing. But oftentimes, these accessories are only installed for aesthetics rather than function.
Having these kinds of panels can make a car look sportier. Just be careful not to overdo it or you risk your car looking like a total flop.
Here's a funny video all about it:
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Paint and wraps
Factory paint comes in a variety of attractive shades and colors that complement the Camaro. However, aftermarket paint or wraps can give the car a distinct character that sets it apart from the rest.
This allows some owners to have personalized liveries on their Camaros. These days, wraps are becoming more popular since it's convenient to install and remove them.
It's also worth noting that wraps are much cheaper than actual paint jobs which makes things more enticing!
But before you do, you might want to hear this guy out first:
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Suspension
Aftermarket suspension systems are go-to upgrades for both performance and stance guys.
Stiffer suspension can make the car more responsive on the road and track. Some packages also alter the stance by shaving off at least about an inch from the stock height. This gives a more aggressive appearance even upon a glance.
Stance guys, on the other hand, may tend to push the limits by dropping the ride height as low as possible. Their suspension set-ups usually come with cambered wheels to prevent the tires from rubbing against the inner fender.
A bagged 5th and 6th Gen Camaro can roll like this in person:
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Brakes
It wouldn’t be a surprise for 5th and 6th Gen Camaro owners to crave speed. These cars are come with potent engines to give you that 0 to 60 mph rush.
But speed is no good if you don’t have good brakes to control it. Some owners may opt to upgrade to big brake kits for maximum stopping power to match the engine output.
When installing these kits, it’s very important to check fitment and clearances. Doing so prevents damage and road accidents from happening.
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Loving your Camaro
Once you’re set, have your upgrades installed by a reputable shop. This goes a long way for the performance, safety, and upkeep of your Camaro.
At the end of the day, what matters is your happiness and satisfaction. You must like what you’ve put together before anyone else. After all, you’re the one signing off the check for your project build!