Where do all that stock allow wheels go?

[scottmandue]

When I bought my 1984 Miata it had fugly wheels.
No problem, there is huge aftermarket parts availability for the Miata, plus I found out the pattern and offset were the same so there should be a bazillion used wheels out there in excellent condition... right?
Not so much... I search all the junk yards... I mean parts recyclers and almost nothing... found one set and they looked like they were stored on the beach at low tide mark... and he wanted $75 (new wheels at America's Tire were $90).
Now I just bought a 2015 Nissan with steel wheels and would like to upgrade to some (CHEAP!) alloys, the higher end model comes with alloy wheels and I would presume some buyers are switching them out for something more "custom" looking (this is SoCal after all). But having trouble finding anything with internet searches.

What am I missing here?

[nota]

went to several tyre stores looking to buy GM OE alloys as takeoff's
all had some BS we can't sell used wheels

best guess is lawyers have scared them
or there is a vast used alloy wheel cabal

funny but used tyres are far more common then used wheels

[nota]

c-list or swap meets
or those used tyre places

[Dantilla]

1984 Miata must have been the factory's first prototype!

I gave my early Miata's original wheels to a guy who was refurbishing one as a project car.

[rcooled]

They wind up at places like this:

StockWheels.com - Buy & Sell Factory Original Rims & OEM Wheels
Used OEM Wheels & Cheap Rims for Sale | MyUsedWheel.com

Lots of other outfits like these around too...

[scottmandue]

DOH, Miata was a 1994! (Guess I should have looked at my sig)
Funny thing (not funny ha-ha), Stock Nissan wheels listed on eBay anywhere from $120 to +$300 each!
New aftermarket wheels? $90 each!
Even more funny 4x100 bolt pattern with 38mm offset... same as my 1994 Miata!

[gizmofixer]

For the past few years GM has been applying a $50 core charge per new wheel.
The corporate line has been "reduces theft and promotes recycling of expensive materials"

[porsche4life]

Check craigslist. Always a few sets out there.

[masraum]

Stock wheels are always at a premium whether you are buying them new or buying them used. I did sell my old 14" miata wheels pretty cheap, and then eventually the 17" wheels from my MSM also went pretty cheap. Many/most big cities have at least one if not a few places that sell used stock and aftermarket wheels. The prices may not be good, but they will be much better than the price for a new part from the dealer.

I think some inexpensive after markets are the way to go unless you can wait for some good take-offs. You may want to watch Craigslist and any local car clubs for cars that have wheels that fit that you might want.

[ckelly78z]

I think the lawyers, and perhaps the law, have dictated that they recycle old wheels by sending them to the scrapyard for melting. Liability for unseen problems could be a huge problem.

[Embraer]

check a body shop....we used to sell takeoffs all the time

[Steve Carlton]

Search eBay for sets, especially from private sellers. You might get nice tires, too.

Post a pic of your Nissan or one like it for suggestions. Minilites?

[billybek]

I watched our Kijiji (Craigslist) for a few weeks for designated winter alloys for the Toyota Venza.
I woke up one morning and found a set in very good condition with sensors for less money than the Toyota TPMS sensors would have cost me.
You will find what you are looking for if you can be patient and wait for the right deal.
I love Craigslist/Kijiji scores!