So it's heater core time for my '91 Accord wagon. Does anyone one know what the differences are between OEM and aftermarket heater cores to justify the $300 price gap?

Thanks

 

$300 is worth more than 10% of the market value of the car...

seriously as old as the car is now just go with aftermarket. there are plenty of good manufacturers who can produce a core that will work just fine. it may not have quite teh same fit and finish as oem, but it will fit and it will work.

 

You have a point. I just want to make sure what I'd get from the local parts house won't be some bubblegum special that I'll have to pull the dash apart again for. But $300 is a huge difference. I usually don't look at how much the car is worth any more. The use of the car, low maintenance costs, insurance, registration, and not having a car payment are all more valuable to me.

 

i agree. you can tell a lot just from a hands on inspection, as far as sharp or rough edges, the packaging. I have had good results with the four seasons brand as well as the dorman brand when it comes to oem replacement parts. if possible you can bring the original core in and compare just to be sure its a good enough match.