To OEM or not?

"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
12/06/2017 at 12:01 • Filed to: car parts

So probably about 6 months ago I replaced the alternator on my wife’s Matrix. I bought a Car Quest alternator with a lifetime warranty figuring, “it can’t be too crappy if they have a lifetime warranty right?”

Here I am 6 months later with the alternator bearing taking a shit. I know I can get a replacement for free with the parts warranty, but should I? Or do I pony up and get the OEM alternator for twice the price?

Rally Matrix foryour time

DISCUSSION (22)

HammerheadFistpunch > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:09

buy once cry once. I tend to go OE unless there is a really compelling reason not to, and price is, with exception, rarely the compelling reason.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:11

That’s the same alternator under the hood of about 1 billion Corollas between 2003 and 2008, or 100,000 Pontiac vibes. I say make a junkyard run before throwing down money on a new OEM one.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/06/2017 at 12:11

Which would basically be a used OEM...

Urambo Tauro > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:12

OEM would be a good choice, but if the alternator is easy to get to, I might consider cashing in on that warranty to save money.

benjrblant > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:14

Denso should be the OE manufacturer for this Toyota alternator. You COULD purchase a Toyota one for some moneys, or you could find the Denso one without a Toyota stamp for a bit less.

benjrblant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/06/2017 at 12:15

Alternatively, OEM rebuild kits are available for cheap if you have a junkyard core and want some reassurance before tossing it in.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:19

I went though three or four remanufactured starters on my Datsun 240z until I got a good one, should have gone to Nissan and bought OEM from the get-go.

crowmolly > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 12:22

Lifetime warranties on stuff like this are basically a subscription service. BTDT.

I’d go OEM.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/06/2017 at 12:38

Just what I was about to suggest.

2,620,063 units were sold in the US with that alternator.

Kinja'd!!!

Toyota doesn’t break up Matrix and Corolla sales.

E92M3 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 13:06

I mean technically it will cost you nothing to exchange it, but do you feel like changing it again in 4-6 months?

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > crowmolly
12/06/2017 at 13:09

That’s what I’m afraid of...I think I might cash in the warranty once and if it goes again I’ll go OEM. It’s not too bad of a job, I think I did it in under 2 hours last time.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 13:12

Find a Denso remanufactured. That’s an OE part for much less money.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > HammerheadFistpunch
12/06/2017 at 13:23

I’m kind of regretting not getting an OE part, but at this point I think I might just use the warranty and see how long the next one lasts. If that goes in a short period of time again I’ll get an OE part at that time. The job isn’t too bad at least

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/06/2017 at 13:23

not a bad idea

HammerheadFistpunch > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 13:26

if the job isn’t too bad its probably the right thing to do...so long as its not brakes or something.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/06/2017 at 13:29

Damn...that’s not fun to hear

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 13:33

depends.... is it your lifetime warranty or the alternators lifetime warranty?

coz if its the latter and it up and dies on you after 3 days you’re screwed....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 13:39

Well you can change a starter on a 240z-280z in about 10 minutes.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/06/2017 at 13:51

yea, alternators are usually pretty easy to change at least

crowmolly > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 14:22

That’s not too bad. I was in the cycle with one of my previous cars and changing the alternator took about half an hour. Was easier to just change them vs pay the $300 for an OEM.

Textured Soy Protein > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 14:52

I believe Denso is the OEM part. Quick search on RockAuto has Denso remanufactured for $111 after core refund. There’s also AC Delco remanufactured for $133 but the notes say it’s an AC Delco sticker on the same Denso part. Probably the AC Delco brand on there since the Matrix was also the Pontiac Vibe.

dogisbadob > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/06/2017 at 21:02

Get a Denso alternator