• to OEM or not to OEM?

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

I need to replace a mirror. From my online searches, I see OEM costs about $185 shipped (I haven't called any local dealers yet, but I'm imagining its around $150-$160)...a fair chunk of change.

Now, there's an abundance of impostors for significantly less- say...$30-$50.

My question is...how crappy should I expect these economical parts to be?

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

first question, what happened to it?

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

kingtut wrote:I need to replace a mirror. From my online searches, I see OEM costs about $185 shipped (I haven't called any local dealers yet, but I'm imagining its around $150-$160)...a fair chunk of change.

Now, there's an abundance of impostors for significantly less- say...$30-$50.

My question is...how crappy should I expect these economical parts to be?

Is that price painted... if so, go oem.

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

Shadowden wrote:Is that price painted... if so, go oem.

agree, your car is so minty-fresh, if you go with a cheapo part, it'll drive you mad...

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

Oh, no. No, no, no-ooo....not my whip. This is for someone else, on a budget...which makes price a factor. I should have prefaced.

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:14**

I wouldn't go aftermarket unless you were going to replace both. Chances are they will not match exactly and you don't want your mirrors to be different on each side.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

Additional deetz: it's a dated corolla. Dealership wanted $400.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

kingtut wrote:Additional deetz: it's a dated corolla. Dealership wanted $400.

I'd go cheap then. It's a Corolla...

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

Well yea, chances are it looks like crap anyway, so yea go the cheapest route.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

Thanks folks. I concur and shall opt for the cheap route.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

lkqcorp.com? car-part.com? Seems like Corollas should be abundant in yards.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

I like me some car-part...

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

Yeah, I wouldn't go new OEM or aftermarket. I'd go salvage pull. I'll bet that is all over ebay.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

I thought about salvage yards. But that would require time and effort- and my time is priceless, heh. Car-part was $38...came to $47 shipped.

Dealership wanted $231.50 for the part.

Posted: **Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:14**

i hope everyone keeps thinking a "dated corolla" is trash. I love the ae86
m.youtube.com/watch?v=_MM35268-Ro

m.youtube.com/watch?v=CWCb_dytsbI&feature=related