When are you willing to go aftermarket on replacement parts?

I have a question for the group. When choosing replacement parts how do you determine if you're going to stick with OEM or go aftermarket? I'm pricing out new radiator hoses, thermostat and drive belt for my 02 and I don't know which route I should go. In some cases the genuine Toyota part is 2x the cost when the aftermarket part has great reviews on Amazon.

Follow up question. Aside from RockAuto.com what are some other website I should check?

thanks

 

OEM for sensors for sure. Aftermarket for most other stuff depending on reputation and price difference. I try to stick to the same aftermarket manufacturer when replacing things like cooling system components simply because they're presumably more likely to fit together properly and not leak. If all the components I'm looking to replace aren't up to snuff then the whole thing reverts back to OEM. FYI, most auto manufacturers have a "Genuine" product that is simply a more expensive version of an OE/OEM product with the auto manufacturer's name on it.

 

Just about always, if a reputable aftermarket brand sells it

 

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