Budget Auto Repair: Should I Buy Used OEM or Aftermarket Parts?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are factory installed parts. They are the original parts that came with your automobile when it was sent to the dealership to be placed in their new car inventory. One would think you would consider OEM parts to make repairs because they are new, but they are extremely expensive to purchase and depending on the age of your vehicle or the impact of the repair cost on your budget these parts may not be easy to come by or the most efficient choice. As your vehicle ages, automobile manufacturers are introducing new automobile models to the marketplace and may discontinue this option leaving you no choice but to find an alternative. Locating that alternative is easier than you think. Let's take a look at an outstanding, favorable budget solution to fix your car or truck with a used part.

Used OEM parts can be an excellent choice in locating the best part selection for your automobile repair while securing the ideal budget friendly option. Used OEM auto parts are parts that are pulled from autos in which circumstances led for them to be submitted for salvage or recycling. Many salvage car parts have an extremely viable and productive life left and are readily available to be installed in your car. In general, because the part is a manufactured clone, the guarantee that it will be an exact match and the ideal fit leaves little room for error making for a smooth transition when making your repair. Used OEM auto parts are easily located for purchase online and many retailers have extensive inventory management systems like those incorporated by AutoPartSearch.com, an online recycled part marketplace. These retailers are able to will find your exact parts quickly and ship them promptly to your door. The cost associated with repairing or replacing non-functioning parts with a high-quality used OEM part can be 50% to 70% less than the purchase of new OEM parts. Used OEM parts are the right choice if you are looking for substantial savings on the cost of your repair and keeping manufacturer specifications intact in your automobile. Many salvage yards extend 30 to 90-day warranties on used OEM parts so the consumer is easily able to return or exchange a part if it does not meet their expectations. Concerns about the efficiency of the used OEM part is alleviated so that the customer can feel confident in what they are buying.

Purchasing used OEM parts for reuse is also an important way to contribute to environmental conservation and rehabilitation. The predominant goal of the Auto Salvage Industry is to recognize, treat and dispose of automotive waste and byproducts by encouraging the reuse of operable automotive parts, maintaining proper disposal of toxic fluids and eliminating waste piling up in landfills and decreasing air and water contaminants. According to the online article "Why Use Recycled Parts", Automotive Recyclers Association, "Approximately 86 percent of a vehicle's material content is recycled, reused or used for energy recovery." The scrapping of steel reduces the need to acquire new iron ore and largely decreases the associated air and water pollutants born from the refinement of it in the automotive manufacturing industry. The consumer plays an extremely valuable part in this conservation effort when selecting and installing used OEM parts. Keeping the planet green for future generations to enjoy is a collaborative effort and both the automotive industry and the consumer can work together to take beneficial steps to accomplish this goal. Recycled OEM auto parts are a fine alternative for making factory specific repairs, however, when making custom or creative modifications on an automobile many customers may turn to Aftermarket Parts to fill the void.

Aftermarket Parts are made by outside manufacturers to be similar to the original part. This type of part seems to be the "middle of the road" option for most consumers and can be obtained easily for both new and used vehicles. They are fresh out of the box, but careful research may be needed when considering buying from an unfamiliar or unproven brand. In some cases, the Aftermarket part can be less expensive or will be sold at top dollar prices. They may feature specific refinements that may be put into place to allow it to perform better than the original, making them an attractive buy. Aftermarket choices can provide extremely positive results or a depressingly negative outcome for the consumer. The difference between the two seems to be in the quality of the part sold and paying particularly close attention to the quality evaluation and fit specifications of these parts. Aftermarket Parts are generally more expensive than used OEM but less expensive than new OEM parts. There are plenty of choices of manufacturers in the Aftermarket parts industry but not all are reliable sources and offer less or no warranty protection, unlike their counterparts. This can leave the customer holding onto a part that will not fit with no prospect of getting their money back. Aftermarket parts are popular when doing modifications that were not a part of the original manufacturer design, so if creative or advanced performance options are desired they may be the only option to perform these changes.

The Truth About Toyota Hybrid Cars

Toyota hybrid cars were the first to hit the market. After decades of quality gas-fueled vehicle manufacturing, Toyota Motor Corp. redirected its creative efforts in an environment friendly direction. The first model from the Toyota hybrid cars was Prius that made a true revolution in the world of automakers. The design of the Toyota hybrid cars is considered superior to all the other similar models available on the market: the engine, the mph rate it gets within a few seconds and all the road conditions it offers are some of the best, not to mention that the viability of the design and the price are equally advantageous for car owners.

Some of the Toyota hybrid cars are also expected to bring modifications in terms of cylinder performance so that they may come to mark a total change in independent circuit racing. Not everybody is prepared to adopt vehicles in the green line, and this is the reason why the production as such remains pretty limited. People interested in Toyota hybrid cars find info and assistance with local dealers, and they are the ones to intermediate the purchase. Before striking the deal, check the technical data and even compare them together with a pro in the field .

The main inconvenience with Toyota hybrid cars is that they are worth a fortune, with prices climbing up to $165,000. The future model expected to be presented in January 2009 is the one to keep the consumers hopes up. New Toyota hybrid cars will be designed as a more powerful and larger vehicle with an engine upgrade to 1.8 liters. The range of all-electric fuel-free driving possibility will be extended without making Toyota models bulkier.

Although the future Toyota hybrid cars will undergo some improvements, they will still operate on the nickel metal hydride batteries without providing an independent autonomous solution. Thus, the Prius is expected to be provided in a variety of models from the compact and the small SUV to the wagon and the pickup. The new Toyota hybrid cars are tributary to the first Prius models with the all-electric mode available for low speeds. Then, the combined power engine of the gas and electric motor devices will let the owner enjoy the speed of a cozy ride while saving on fuel.