Turns out I've had a slightly bent wheel on my right rear since this summer probably, and have had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 235/45-17's on my stock 17x7's since mid October, which means one of the tires has been subject to a bent rim for a few months now. Hopefully the tire hasn't changed shape in response to this problem.

I discovered this tonight in the 3rd visit this week to a tire shop. Sunday I had them rotated & balanced by Merchant's auto, where I bought the tires. Balancing was f'ed up. This was the 3rd time I've gone to Merchant's and came out with something wrong, so I decided to try Mr. Tire instead. They did the balancing job (no rotation), and it was still messed up. Came back there tonight to have them check it out again. They identified the problem as a bent rim, specifically the right front (which before Sunday, was on the right rear). I guess that's why I never noticed it--it was on the rear the whole time.

So now I must inquire--which would be cheaper, finding a used 2000 17x7 alloy rim in a junkyard, taking it to a wheel shop, buying a Replica of the wheel, or does anyone on the org have 1 17x7 stock 2000 wheel (with the plastic cover in the center) I can buy and have shipped here within 1-2 days?
The service manager at Mr. Tire says he can get me a new one within 1 day's notice for a little over $200 by pulling some connections...

 

Buy a replica, but save your stock center cap because the replica center caps look different.

Personally, $200 ain't bad for a stock 17".

 

I'll check out this wheel shop, if they're not less than $150 to repair it then I'll go with the $200 deal from Mr. Tire and be done with it... this guy said he can get it within 1 day or so.

 

I got my replica for $160 shipped to my door. On ebay, do a seller search for Moore9911. If they don't have any listed, call them and they should sell you one. Like ASU said, keep the OEM centercap.

 

You bent your stock wheels?

 

Yes, apparantly, I managed to bend a stock wheel. Barely noticeable, but it was very noticeable on the balancing machine with the tire wobbling...

 

You guys must have worse potholes than Michigan