The road warrior

Where to start...

I bumped into ogerdgonz on another forum while hunting for a steel wheel for my xB. I still haven't found one, by the way.

Maybe blackcat isn't the right login for this site. How about road warrior. You see I'm not a buffer or polisher, and I wouldn't pay $100 for a wheel if my life depended on it. In fact, I washed the car for the first time in 6 months, only yesterday. I'm just a copier tech, burning up the roads every day in the xB.

I spend a lot of time on the road. By a conservative estimate I figure I've driven over a million miles since I started driving in '84. Every job I've ever had has entailed a lot of driving. I've consumed 11 of my own cars and 4 company cars in my time on the road. There's definitely more money to be made burning up your own ride.

As a result I don't get too attached to individual cars since they're not with me very long, but as durability goes, I've always preferred imports. The Subaru GL, and the various Ford Festivas (4 made by Kia), and a Ford Aspire (also Kia) all topped 200k on the odometer. The 2008 xB is well on the way to that record with 80k and only the most basic maintenance (oil changes, tires, brakes, ...the usual stuff).

The box is a company car, so I don't have the latitude to change anything on it, but I do know it inside & out, and may be able to contribute something useful to the group. After all, I spend 6 to 8 hours a day behind the wheel. Once I clear a few of the Kia's from the driveway that are nearing the end of their life, I will be adding an xB to the personal fleet.

So if I'm in the wrong place just say so. =^..^=

No response... interesting.

I found a wheel on TireRack for $55. It's a 'universal' and requires a hardware kit to refit the pressure monitoring valvestem. They tell me the OEM hubcap won't fit. Well just see about that.

The spare makes a cool buzzing noise, and makes the steering a little squirrely. I won't miss that. It's supposed to arrive here Wednesday. Thanks to those that answered my messages. =^..^=

Of course you are welcome here, we need to work on the chatter on the forums, kind of slow. Feel free to start any threads you want and get things going.

Also I would be a little leery of the universal since they say the hubcap does not work. Maybe go with trim rings instead.

If you need the tire and sensor installed my tire guy does it dirt cheap but I forget where you are located. I actually probably will be seing him this week or next need new tires for the wife's Expedition.

you have my email if you want the number.

Funny that you should mention the valvestem/pressure monitor... I got a call from the guy at TireRack just before leaving work yesterday. The universal wheel requires a "hardware kit" to transfer the valve to the new wheel. I haven't seen it yet, but I imagine that it's a $3 flat washer with O-ring.

The new wheel arrived this morning, I just haven't got it mounted yet. Where is your tire guy located? I'll be in Southfield in the morning.

Sorry, can't wait any longer. The tire buzz is driving me mad. I'll use him the next time. =^..^=

I'm quite satisfied. The one I got was an ASA (Artisan Spirit Alloy Wheels). It's a universal, it's steel, and it's a hell of a lot nicer than the OEM wheel. It's got several coats of gloss black paint, and the OEM hubcaps even fit. I couldn't be happier.

=^..^=

Welcome 1st of all. Lets see some photos.