I found the weight of my stock 02 civic 14" wheels by weighing myself then
removing the steel wheel and hubcap and holding both standing on the scale.
It was a very good new scale so am pretty sure of the results and did it
three times to be sure of the weight. I was very surprised at how light the
set up was myself. I thing this is one of Hondas Civci's secrets for there
good gas mileage.

Sounds ballpark right.

And your current steel wheels and tires you weighed directly, I
presume?

Are the current tires 6.5/195 width?  All I can think of, though it
shouldn't mean more than a pound or two.

Let's see ... ASA AR-1 15x6.5" "lightweight" at 15.9 pounds, Michellin
MXV4 at 195/60/R15 are 21 pounds.  Hmm, BBS RG-F 15x7 are 10.2 pounds
for only $340!  Others at 13 to 14 pounds around $120. SS-R
competition at 9.3, $289.  Borbets seem some of the heavier rims.

FWIW

J.

    I went to Tire Rack and for example took the 15" Borbet rims(several
choices) at 18.5 pounds then picked there recommended size tire 195/60/R15"
tires in lets say in a BridgeStone Potenza (Because I have a brother that
works for BridgeStone and can get a very big discount) at around 21 to 22
pounds which comes to around 40 plus pounds.

Where did you get those figures?

As all have said, the idea behind aluminum/alloy wheels is to weigh
*less*, I think you might check again, go to some reasonable nearby
dealer and weigh the stuff yourself if you have to!

Larger wheels suggest lower-aspect tires, which will weigh less.  For
a given size, more wheel and less tire might weigh a bit more for
decorative wheels, if you're really that serious, I'm sure you can
find some wheels lighter than others.

Bottom line is it's unlikely to matter beyond cosmetics.

J.

    Hey.... I got a 2002 Civic LX 5sp with stock 14" steel wheels and
hubcaps. Right now I do a lot of commuting and get about 39 to 42 miles per
gallon. However don't like the looks of the cheap looking hubcaps on my
Civic and was thinking of going to the nicer looking 15" or 16" Honda wheels
or nice after market wheels.

     But, I really don't want to lose my good gas mileage that I'm getting
with my Civic.

     I did some checking and my stock steel wheels, plus tires and hubcap
weight around 31 pounds. going to a new larger wheel and tire will add
around 10 to 15 pounds per wheel and tire.
     I do a lot of atv riding and no first hand at the power you will lose
by getting a heavier bigger wheel and tire, so was wondering about the mpg
that all Honda owners here have experienced when they install new sets of
rims. Thanks for any advice, Rob.