YACT: Aftermarket body panels (NOT BODY KITS)

[NutBucket]

Before you all burn me at the stake I'm asking about stock replacement aftermarket parts. I'm finally sending my car to the body shop and I'm thinking there's no reason for me to spend 2x the money for OEM parts like door skins/hood when I can get aftermarket much cheaper. I know they aren't the same quality but honestly is it going to make much of a difference? If I have a choice am I better off with used OEM parts?
The car in question is a '91 Accord (pics in sig) and it needs at least a new rear passenger door skin and depending on cost a new hood as well. Color is going to be kept stock.

EDIT: There seems to be some confusion that I'm talking about body kits, side skirts and the like. I am not. I'm talking about OE-style body parts to replace stock parts that were damaged in an accident.

 

[Ronstang]

Aftermarket body panels look like sh!t on just about every car I see them on......stop the insanity....STOP THE RICE!!!!!!!!

 

[TechnoKid]

I think they are fine. Primed prepped and painted properly and fitted properly, they would look the same as an oem equivalent. Thats to say that if you were to buy an OEM panel, you probably would have to do less fitting work, but to me, thats not worth the costs, esp on a car of that age.

 

[Ronstang]

I have used both factory replacement and aftermarket body panels and the results are mixed. Some aftermarket are good and some are not, so go with what your bodyman suggests and ask him to contact you if an aftermarket piece does not look like it is going to fit properly so he can show you and let you decide on the upgrade before he does any work to the aftermarket panel and makes it unreturnable.

 

[LongCoolMother]

no firsthand experience here. but ive heard they are alright from several honda owners. just dont go too shabby. i also dont see any reason to go OEM if they cost substantially more. im no fan of aftermarket body panels though. i like normal looking oem bodies.

 

[SherEPunjab]

not all aftermarket body panels look like sh*t. the reason oem are sometimes considered better is because they are made from urethane, and many (esp. more complex) aftermarket body panels are made from fiberglass. is there a substantial difference? in areas that are prone to rub/hit curbs, so forth, a big YES. they will crack, they will then look like sh*t if they get cracks in them. The urethane ones are tough, they may crack if you hit it, but probably not. and if it cracks, it still kinda stays in place. Fiberglass tends get a splinter look. I wouldn't get fiberglass personally, to me, i don't care for really anything fancy anyhow so i'm fine with the aftermarket urethane ones. btw, i have OEM urethane ones, but slightly prefer after market urethane oneas as they are a bit more stylish.

nutbucket: a good aftermarket kit plus a good paint job will cost you at least 2 grand. I would highly suggest considering upgrading to a new car at this point and not spending extra cash on a 13 year old accord dx. even with a bodykit on your car, (and i'm aware of all the bodykits available for your model), your car will still lack aerodyanmics, and still look.... sorry. Anyways, if you still want to go ahead and do it, fine, may i suggest wingswest spoilers, and check out erebuni as well.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not all aftermarket body panels look like sh*t. the reason oem are sometimes considered better is because they are made from urethane, and many (esp. more complex) aftermarket body panels are made from fiberglass. is there a substantial difference? in areas that are prone to rub/hit curbs, so forth, a big YES. they will crack, they will then look like sh*t if they get cracks in them. The urethane ones are tough, they may crack if you hit it, but probably not. and if it cracks, it still kinda stays in place. Fiberglass tends get a splinter look. I wouldn't get fiberglass personally, to me, i don't care for really anything fancy anyhow so i'm fine with the aftermarket urethane ones. btw, i have OEM urethane ones, but slightly prefer after market urethane oneas as they are a bit more stylish.

nutbucket: a good aftermarket kit plus a good paint job will cost you at least 2 grand. I would highly suggest considering upgrading to a new car at this point and not spending extra cash on a 13 year old accord dx. even with a bodykit on your car, (and i'm aware of all the bodykits available for your model), your car will still lack aerodyanmics, and still look.... sorry. Anyways, if you still want to go ahead and do it, fine, may i suggest wingswest spoilers, and check out erebuni as well.

Thanks for your input. But allow me to repeat, I'm not talking about body kits and the like. I'm talking about aftermarket OE parts. Not even of different material. I'm talking about aftermarket door skins instead of a Honda door skins.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not all aftermarket body panels look like sh*t. the reason oem are sometimes considered better is because they are made from urethane, and many (esp. more complex) aftermarket body panels are made from fiberglass. is there a substantial difference? in areas that are prone to rub/hit curbs, so forth, a big YES. they will crack, they will then look like sh*t if they get cracks in them. The urethane ones are tough, they may crack if you hit it, but probably not. and if it cracks, it still kinda stays in place. Fiberglass tends get a splinter look. I wouldn't get fiberglass personally, to me, i don't care for really anything fancy anyhow so i'm fine with the aftermarket urethane ones. btw, i have OEM urethane ones, but slightly prefer after market urethane oneas as they are a bit more stylish.

nutbucket: a good aftermarket kit plus a good paint job will cost you at least 2 grand. I would highly suggest considering upgrading to a new car at this point and not spending extra cash on a 13 year old accord dx. even with a bodykit on your car, (and i'm aware of all the bodykits available for your model), your car will still lack aerodyanmics, and still look.... sorry. Anyways, if you still want to go ahead and do it, fine, may i suggest wingswest spoilers, and check out erebuni as well.

After reading your post, I got really hungry for a big bowl of Uncle Ben's.

- M4H

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not all aftermarket body panels look like sh*t. the reason oem are sometimes considered better is because they are made from urethane, and many (esp. more complex) aftermarket body panels are made from fiberglass. is there a substantial difference? in areas that are prone to rub/hit curbs, so forth, a big YES. they will crack, they will then look like sh*t if they get cracks in them. The urethane ones are tough, they may crack if you hit it, but probably not. and if it cracks, it still kinda stays in place. Fiberglass tends get a splinter look. I wouldn't get fiberglass personally, to me, i don't care for really anything fancy anyhow so i'm fine with the aftermarket urethane ones. btw, i have OEM urethane ones, but slightly prefer after market urethane oneas as they are a bit more stylish.

nutbucket: a good aftermarket kit plus a good paint job will cost you at least 2 grand. I would highly suggest considering upgrading to a new car at this point and not spending extra cash on a 13 year old accord dx. even with a bodykit on your car, (and i'm aware of all the bodykits available for your model), your car will still lack aerodyanmics, and still look.... sorry. Anyways, if you still want to go ahead and do it, fine, may i suggest wingswest spoilers, and check out erebuni as well.

After reading your post, I got really hungry for a big bowl of Uncle Ben's.

- M4H

Didn't have your morning rice today M4H?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
not all aftermarket body panels look like sh*t. the reason oem are sometimes considered better is because they are made from urethane, and many (esp. more complex) aftermarket body panels are made from fiberglass. is there a substantial difference? in areas that are prone to rub/hit curbs, so forth, a big YES. they will crack, they will then look like sh*t if they get cracks in them. The urethane ones are tough, they may crack if you hit it, but probably not. and if it cracks, it still kinda stays in place. Fiberglass tends get a splinter look. I wouldn't get fiberglass personally, to me, i don't care for really anything fancy anyhow so i'm fine with the aftermarket urethane ones. btw, i have OEM urethane ones, but slightly prefer after market urethane oneas as they are a bit more stylish.

nutbucket: a good aftermarket kit plus a good paint job will cost you at least 2 grand. I would highly suggest considering upgrading to a new car at this point and not spending extra cash on a 13 year old accord dx. even with a bodykit on your car, (and i'm aware of all the bodykits available for your model), your car will still lack aerodyanmics, and still look.... sorry. Anyways, if you still want to go ahead and do it, fine, may i suggest wingswest spoilers, and check out erebuni as well.

After reading your post, I got really hungry for a big bowl of Uncle Ben's.

- M4H

Didn't have your morning rice today M4H?

Man, don't be hatin'. My new exhaust just gave me +15 to the wheels, bIzZaTcH!

- M4H