Against my better judgment, I'm considering making an extremely unnecessary purchase, and I'm asking for your input which I may or may not ultimately ignore. But since Oppo is slow, I don't feel bad about posting anyway -- a violation of my goals for 2020, but it is car-related so I hope you forgive me.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 01/12/2020 at 17:50 • Filed to: sportcross 2020

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I have an opportunity to pick up a full set of OEM Sportcross wheels — in gunmetal (available ‘03-’05 only, my current ones are the ubiquitous satin finish). Problem? The set would be nearly 700 dollars. But these are tough as hell to find because, remember: the Sportcross has 17x7.5 in the rears, differentiating it from the sedan which has 17x7 all the way around. These don’t come up for sale often, as these wheels were only used for this niche model.

I like the staggered look and handling, so I don’t want to change to a sedan set, even if I could get a better deal (which is tough anyway, it seems). I like the stock look, so I don’t want aftermarket wheels. And while changing to 18x8 & 18x8.5 using current-gen IS350/250 wheels is popular, it undermines the entire subtly of the vehicle, especially when you have a bright pearl one like I do:

Sorry photobucket, I have a snipping tool. Also, this guy sold his SC back in 2014 so I don’t feel evil. Yes, that roof rack is boss.

What I really wanted was ‘07 “two-tone”/gunmetal wheels off of the SC430. But these are crazy expensive, uncommon, and are not available in 18x8 so I can’t have the staggered rears.

So how dumb am I for buying a second set of used wheels just because I... want... them? Let me know.

Thanks again for your time.

p a s e o

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 17:59

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do. it.
Do. it.
DO. it.
DO.It.
DO.IT,

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:03

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H eaven forbid you work your butt off and treat yourself to something now and then.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail 01/12/2020 at 18:05

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You’re right...

[Sent from my office in my alleged castle]

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:06

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Do it. If wheels are hard to find, good to have a set in case something happens to your wheels.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:06

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Do it. Those gunmetal wheels are gorgeous. I think they’d look great with the pearl. You could even go summer tire/winter tire sets if our crazy snow patterns c ontinue in the coming years. Way b etter than the s c430 wheels in my meaningless opinion

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:06

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Don’t forget that you need tires for those $700 wheels. That brings your total spen d to a significant portion of your vehicle’s value.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 01/12/2020 at 18:11

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My thoughts similarly.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 01/12/2020 at 18:11

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It is true, but it’s still cheaper than a Land Cruiser.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:12

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And I would imagine you'd have little trouble reselling them if you decided to (I know you won't, but like... Extra justification??) 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 01/12/2020 at 18:13

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I mean they’re not in perfect condition by any means, but there are... none others out there.

Oh God, I dread the day I sell this car or its parts... I’ll have to find another weirdo like me, but with money.

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:15

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Just do what I do. Lowball mercilessly so you can tell yourself you tried, or in the rare case of the seller accepting.... Wooooo! 

My citroen won't start > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:16

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Can you not have your current  wheels refinished in Gunmetal gray?

wafflesnfalafel > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:16

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S eems like a very prudent decision, can’t ever tell when you are going to need a back up set of wheels.  Being prepared is not a luxury!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > My citroen won't start 01/12/2020 at 18:17

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Well the point is having a second set of wheels, not just a different color.

Wacko > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:25

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If you have the cash go for it. If not sell some body parts that you have more than one of...

You can have 2 sets of wheels, 4seasons and sport wheels

I bought 17 inch  Impreza mags for my forester’s summers and the silver one steelies became gold and are for my winter tires

XJDano > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:26

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If it makes you happy and gets a pass from the wife...

I’m still buying model cars for under $100, but overall last year it is probably around $500-700. Then there is beer money, no telling how much alcohol I spend my money on.

What I’m saying is, you can always sell them later. I probably went through 6-7 sets of wheels for my Jeep. Sold them when I was done looking at them. Sounds like they are pretty desirable so it should be be hard to unload them. 

My citroen won't start > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:27

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fair enough

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:28

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Seems like a good idea, but this is kind of advice we all come to Oppo for.  If they’re as uncommon as it sounds like, you probably have the ability to recoup your investment if you later change your mind.  

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:29

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I think you’ve officially beaten me  as the person with the longest post title

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:32

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Who cares what we think? What does Missus say?

Let your car be an expression of you and not someone else, unless that someone else is Missus.

If you like them, buy them, says I.

Chuckles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:39

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I have to admit that my first thought once I learned that the front and rear wheels are different sizes was “that makes it kind of hard to rotate the tires front to back.” I feel like every car I’ve owned wears out one set of tires faster than the other, so not being able to rotate front to back means I’d be buying tires more often.

I have no qualms about buying a second set of wheels, and those do look nice. But I'd also consider what other fun I could have with that $700. I bought my scooter a few months ago for $750, and that thing has made me smile more than any car and I haven't even cracked 40mph yet.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:39

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It’s an interesting point, though: can you customize those wheels to suit your taste?

Sovande > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 18:58

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I had four sets of wheels for my old Volvo V70. It was an illness. If it will make you happy, you should buy them. 

fintail > Chuckles 01/12/2020 at 19:13

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My E55 had staggered wheels.  A set of PS2s then cost ~$1300, and if they hit 20K miles, I felt lucky.

daender > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 19:23

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Do it.

atfsgeoff > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 19:30

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 It is true, but it’s still cheaper than a Land Cruiser.

story of my life

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/12/2020 at 19:36

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I think I would just bronze the ones I have, pending the condition of the new-to-me ones.

ihads0methingforthis > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 19:36

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Honestly I would look for two separate sets of rears so you have the nicer fitment all around on it. But the gun metals do look better.

benjrblant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 19:39

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Approve!

If you can financially swing it, go for it.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 19:55

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I am all in favor of spending your money. 

ihads0methingforthis > ihads0methingforthis 01/12/2020 at 20:18

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Although,I'm partial to nice aftermarket wheels. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benjrblant 01/12/2020 at 20:22

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But what IS “ swinging it ?” Do I have 700 bucks? Yes. Do I make enough such that 700 is inconsequential on a car I drive 3k miles a year? Not yes. Would that 700 just sit in my savings account anyway and gain nominal interest? Yes. Should I take these expenses and just set them aside for another vehicle/emergency repair funds? Yes... But also... Meh!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 21:00

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If you have an actual use case for having a 2nd set of wheels, sure. I’d be way too lazy to actually switch wheels without some practical reason for doing so.

benjrblant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 21:16

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What’s life about, anyway?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 21:27

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For the price of those wheels you can buy two janky POS tercels.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/12/2020 at 22:03

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You could buy like three tercels for that!!!

Buuuuuuut here’s why you need them. Yes, need. Seattle has been getting a fair amount of snow every winter consistently now, yeah? And you want to be as safe as possible in your rear wheel drive car in the snow, yeah? Or at least your wife does I’m sure! So what you need is a set of wheels with snow tires that you can swap on before storms, and back off before spring. Why not just tire swap? Because you have to pay someone to do that for you, and that also takes much more of your already valuable time.

So, in summary, buying this set of wheels will make you safer than ever before while also saving as much time and money as possible while doing so! NEED!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benjrblant 01/12/2020 at 23:47

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A series of regrets, perhaps.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/12/2020 at 23:49

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A Tercel would have come in handy this next week. And last winter. Then again it would have just died on the freeway again...

SlideshowOhNO - Fixit Union, Chapter of Kinja > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/13/2020 at 00:44

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Rare OEM parts are worth it. If nothing else, in a year’s time you can sell them at no loss. Maybe you use them and have your originals refinished to match or in something completely different.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/13/2020 at 03:31

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Buy them, and put winter tires on your current set. Brand new OEM wheels are minty fresh. 

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/13/2020 at 16:05

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If you lose no points with the wife, get ‘em. We live once.