Would I want OEM or aftermarket parts? It depends. For safety components (i.e. the airbag video), I would only want OEM. As far as everything else goes, I think it all depends on the part in question and how much the vehicle is worth. I wouldn't pay twice as much for an OEM body panel on a x< $5k truck. If I had a $15k+ truck, I wouldn't want a $h1tty aftermarket panel that didn't line up properly. My take on mechanical components is the same.

My commuter vehicle is a Saturn (yeah...lol). I laugh at people on the Saturn board that say "only buy OEM parts." Seriously...you're talking about spending more than twice as much money (in most cases) for a OEM part...for a vehicle that is essentially disposable (mine is a 2002 and I only paid $2,200 for it). Now for my wife's Acura TL...yeah...I would do OEM. I'm not going to throw Autozone parts at that.