Would I be a happier person if I upgraded my wheels?

[Mrcjolsen]

2011 Rogue S AWD
70k miles
30k/2yrs left on certified power train warranty
Tires approaching replacement time.

So I'll be replacing the tires in the near future. I've never cared much for the stock steel wheels. In the words of Scarlet O'hara "With God as my witness I will never have plastic wheel covers again." At least that's what I told myself when first got
a job that paid actual money.

Well, here I am driving a car that I absolutely love except for the plastic wheel covers.

But now that I'll be replacing the tires, I COULD go up to 17" alloy rims.

But would it be worth it? Other than cosmetic, would I notice any actual performance or handling improvement with alloy rims that would make the car, if only slightly, more fun to drive?

And if so, would it be enough to make me love the car that much more so that I'd want to keep it past the expiration of the power train warranty?

And finally, I've been looking at spending around $1000 for both wheels and tires. Would it be better, in terms of car love, to skip the wheels and spend more on tires? For example if I got run-flat tires I could get rid of my spare (couldn't I?) The additional storage would make me love the car more too. Maybe as much as new rims.

THANK YOU.

[phjake]

I can't tell you whether you would be happier with alloy wheels, but I can comment on run flat tires. Most people who have them agree they make for a rougher ride vs conventional tires. My advice would be to do some research on them, before you buy.