OEM wheel vs China made

[blackimpalals]

Checking prices, to replace a scuffed up wheel on my '04 LS the OEM's run over $500. I went the Replica route on an Internet site for $115 delivered.
The wheel, although having a Made in China sticker, was beautifull. It matched the factory wheel in fit, finish etc. For the price, I won't hesitate doing the anti america purchase on this one.

[crazy Jim]

Whats your own countrys economy worth to you? Next time try your local wrecking yard, you probably could have beat the Chinese $.

[blackimpalals]

I ordered it through a web site base in the U.S.A.
I had no clue where the wheel was manufactured until I received it.
Not many times you get a product which meets your expectations.
I'll bend my USA loyalty rules on this one....as we have no choice in
doing with many other goods of today.
I own two Chevy vehicles plus a Jeep by the way. No rice burners.

[zoemayne]

you should of just went to the junk yard its just a wheel you can get a whole set of wheels for 500.

[SpinnerCee]

I wouldn't take that chance -- It may "look" good, but I'd be really worried everytime I hit a bump in the road -- You wouldn't want to see that pretty wheel rolling past you...

The Chinese are excellent copycats -- It's what the wheel may be made out of that would be my concern.

A piece of trim breaks, no big deal -- a wheel falls off, maybe you die.

['97ventureowner]

Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just buy it at Wal Mart??? They carry a lot of goods made in China.

[adamace1]

Can't people in china get some work to? They got children to feed. Well one anyways.

[blackimpalals]

By the way, I loved all the replies. I shouldn't have used that China word.
Saving $400 seemed worth it to me though.
I recently replaced a fog lamp...the box said made in Taiwan! You can't win!
This car was manufactured in Canada by the way. Who knows where any of the original parts came from?

[SpinnerCee]

Yeah, most of that was in fun but you should know that even the big manufacturers have trouble with third party suppliers outside of the US -- while a lot of Chrvrolets are born in Canada and Mexico, it doesn't mean that they are perfect -- the Impala is a perfect example (most are made in Canada) -- not the best example of superior design and quality workmanship if you read these forums.

Also, if you're into classic Chevrolet hardware, no one wants cylinder heads or Chevrolet blocks that were made in Mexico back in the day -- while they were made from the same mold as the best of the best -- the quality of the iron and casting are not up to snuff if you want something that will last and not leave you [or your wife] stranded on the side of the road one night.

This is all to say -- some parts you want, and some parts it's better to stay away from -- "looks like," or "fits" is not always "good enough."

['97ventureowner]

What gets me is some of the boxes from items I have purchased have words like "Assembled in Mexico with parts made in USA", or the parts were made in 2 or more countries and then shipped to another country to be assembled, one box had two sources of parts and was partially assembled in two other locations . Makes you wonder with all that shipping and assembling they are even able to make a profit while keeping the unit price so low.