OEM parts win

That's actually GOOD advice!
Brings to mind the old saying...
"Ya Getz Whatz yaz Payz For!!!

 

Having the most experience with Toyotas and Fords, I would say this is definitely true for Toyota; the quality of OEM parts is very good and its not worth it to go for aftermarket.

With Fords it is hit and miss - some OEM parts are good, but you can sometimes find aftermarket that are just as good (or even better) for less money. I have had good luck with Napa parts for the Fords. Don't buy super cheap parts (Pep Boys / Kragen / Checker) for any car - you will spend more time in labor and frustration than you will save on the part price.

I often see those ads for Pep Boys that feature brake pads for cheap prices - Is that really the kind of part that you should try to save a few bucks on? Doh!

 

In the 80's and 90's I owned three "luxury" European vehicles: a 1985 Jaguar XJ-6 VDP, a 1988 BMW 325i convertible, and a 1992 Mercedes 400-E sedan. Parts were quite expensive when purchased through the local dealers' parts depts. I found that aftermarket parts produced by the original equipment supplier were of acceptable fit and quality; and priced considerably lower compared to the same parts that had the vehicle manufacturer's logo.

I agree that aftermarket parts made by dubious sources are to be avoided.

 

While I agree with the OP, the non genuine part is only there because the genuine part already failed.

 

When dealing with bulbs of any kind, it's hit or miss... When you get a bulb at the store and it has an advertised lifetime on it, that amount of time is the average over tests ran on thousands of bulbs. The bulb could burn out tomorrow, or it could last double the advertised lifetime. In the end, it all works out on averages.

 

I always insist on OEM parts. As Tom & Ray say, "It's the stingy man who pays the most."

 

+1

Regarding the cheapest place to get OEM parts: I've noticed that my local mechanic/body shop guy charges me less for genuine Volvo OEM parts than either my Volvo dealer or the cheapest of the online vendors of Volvo OEM parts.

 

I just helped a friend replace a taillight in her 2003 GMC Envoy. I was surprised to find it was a Sylvania bulb, just a different part # than the long life one on the shelf.

 

Re: OEM versus Aftermarket Timing Belt

I apologize if this is a hijacking of this thread, but ...

1. Does anyone have an opinion about OEM versus aftermarket timing belts?

The particular car in question is a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, and the choice is between the Mitsubishi OEM versus the Autozone aftermarket timing belt.

I'm inclined to go with the OEM timing belt which I think may be twice the price of the Autozone aftermarket belt.

2. Also, is it standard or recommended that when one changes the timing belt one should also change the balancing belt?

 

Thanks. I value your opinion a lot.

 

It's not exactly current, but I used to own a Corvair (actually 2). It took exactly one purchase of a non-OEM fan belt to convince me to go OEM. The belt traversed 4 pulleys, and also did 4 90-degree twists along the way. The aftermarket belt that I tried lasted about several hundred miles. OEM was probably good for 20,000 miles. Prudent owners carried a spare, and the tools to change it.

It's sad that GM got so burned by how different the Corvair was. The design was similar to the then current VW Beetle, but larger. GM tried to be innovative, got burned, and developed a crippling fear of anything "different".

 

OEM bulb may last a very long time but it gets dimmer. In my previous car (00 Celica), I changed them because they got dimmer after 5 years.

 

Maybe this isn't available in Canada, but in the US you can purchase the correct cabin air filter for ~US$15 plus shipping from several Toyota dealers that sell via the internet.

 

Hey, if you're going, I'd be happy to pay you back for some filters.