Best Non OEM filter for 03 Camry

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To date Fram has been the best replacement for the OEM! I could not find one in stock localy so I picked up a CarQuest brand air filter! It was not impressive at all and looks just like the STP air filter for my car.

The problem I am haveing getting filters localy at AutoZone,Advanced and Discount is that filters for my car are almost on the floor. People walk buy and kick the filter on the bottom shelf and step on them sometimes. I have not been able to find one anyplace that looked good they all have foot prints on the box and the filter is dented and dinged up! The box usualy appears to be blown out etc..... So I went to carQuest becasue they use a heavy card board box and they keep them away from clumsy customers!!
 
John,

Carquest handles Wix filters, don't they? NAPA (Wix also) has two air filter lines: budget and "Gold". The NAPA Gold for my Escort had superb quality (visual) compared to any other filter I checked. They are pricey, though (but $1 cheaper than Carquest).

Off topic - my workplace uses NAPA. When I told them I work there, the filter price dropped from $16 to $10. What a discount. What a mark up!

Go Spartans!
 
doitmyself has a point.

Frequent customer discount at NAPA. Get to know these guys and they you, and ask them if they can give you a break on the price. I get my NAPA "Wix" filters within a few cents of the cost of FRAM filters.
Same with genuine Toyota parts. It all started once when I said "$XXX.XX !!! I can get this OEM 20% less on the net. You can't match that?" Filters, starter, rotors, foot pedal pads and on and on and on.
 
Napa GOld is my vote and the only filters oil/air I use. Just compare a gold next to a OEM. In my case a AC Delco (L67 motor). Gold is much "beefier". the width of the pleats is longer and the more of them. Also theouter rubber seal ring thingy is thicker and seals much better IMHO.
 
John,

I use WIX on my 05 Camry. Great filter, good compromise between flow and filtration. Napa Gold and Carquest Premium are also WIX filters.
 
quote:

I use WIX on my 05 Camry.

Why?
What was wrong with the OEM filters?
confused.gif


quote:

Great filter, good compromise between flow and filtration.

What do you mean?
 
quote:
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I use WIX on my 05 Camry.
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Why?
What was wrong with the OEM filters?

My mistake, initially thought I was replying in the "oil" filter forum vice the "air" filter forum. Though if it was time to change my air filter I would most likely go with a WIX or OEM.
quote:
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Great filter, good compromise between flow and filtration.
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What do you mean?

Flows well and filters well, not too restrictive and not too free-flowing. Some filters filter very well but are overly restrictive, conversely some filters flow well but at the expense of adequate filtration.
 
That was my point.
The bottleneck is not in your filter.
It's in the your car's induction plumbing.
You can run your car without any air filter and it will still get exactly the same air flow rates.
The increased air flow as compared to the OEM is the aftermarket air filter producers marketing gimmick.
 
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