Guidewire devices and methods are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a guidewire including a flexible element having a first center point, a stiffening core wire comprising at least three wires collectively having a second center point and extending from a proximal section to a distal section within the flexible element, wherein the flexible element has an outer diameter of about 0.035 inches or less, and wherein the first and second center points are within about 0.001 inches of each other, is included. Methods of making and/or assembling such guidewire devices are also provided.