My 2008 Honda Element needs a new starter. I am being told I should only use a OEM Honda starter because aftermarket starters tend to fail. OEM Honda starters run around $550 for reman and $1200 for new from my local Honda dealerships parts dept. Aftermarket reman or new are significantly less with some being as low as $78! Is this true about Honda OEM vs Aftermarket?
Replacing the starter is a major job that requires the intake manifold and throttle body to be removed to reach it and I don't feel like I have enough expertise to do the job myself so I'm going to have a shop do it. One shop uses only Honda OEM and is (of course) charging a high price ($850 +) and the other shops I'm looking at use aftermarket and are charging around $500+. Trying to figure out which would be the best direction for me to go.
Replacing the starter is a major job that requires the intake manifold and throttle body to be removed to reach it and I don't feel like I have enough expertise to do the job myself so I'm going to have a shop do it. One shop uses only Honda OEM and is (of course) charging a high price ($850 +) and the other shops I'm looking at use aftermarket and are charging around $500+. Trying to figure out which would be the best direction for me to go.