My 2003 G35 sedan's starter finally died at 145,000 miles. I searched all the various ways and couldn't find a thread with suggestions about which replacement starter to buy. I'll be installing it myself. I'd like to spend as little as possible, of course, but I only want to do it once and would like it to last and not to worry about it failing.

There are so many options for a replacement starter for my G35 that my head is spinning.

• New or rebuilt OEM
• Rebuild my current starter at a local shop.
• Buy a new or remanufactured starter locally from Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts, O'Reilly's or NAPA.
• One of the many options online on rockauto and elsewhere (though seems like a pain/expensive to ship a core back).
• Others?

Any recommendations? What replacement starters have folks had good luck with? Thanks!

 

Rebuild at a local starter shop, keeping the OEM equipment is always the best option for these starters but a new OEM starter is $300, you can probably get yours rebuilt locally for $75-$100.

 

^^
What he said!

 

Just don't go to oreilly or autozone and buy a rebuilt one. Not the same thing! The rebuilt units from them are horrible and usually get 1 or 2 bad ones before you get something that actually works. (if you are lucky)

FYI - same with alternators too

 

From placing them side by side, I believe the Denso ones are the OEM supplier. Rebuilt starter is a great option unless your starter splines are damaged.

 

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Update: I had the starter rebuilt by a local shop that's been around forever. Glad I went that route. Cost $128 for a full rebuild and works great.

When I took it in the owner told me it actually didn't need to be rebuilt. The trouble was due to a corroded connector between the solenoid and starter motor. Cleaning that connector would have fixed it but I figured since it was off the car I'd get it rebuilt since it has 145K miles. Feels like it's turning over easier, quieter and with less effort (amps) than before the rebuild.

Thanks again.

 

Awesome, glad it's all fixed.