Are these 2 axles different?

[ColoWRXer]

I have a torn inner cv boot on my right front axle (05 WRX sedan) and am going to replace the whole axle assembly. I found 2 options online, one is OEM and another is aftermarket.

OEM:
https://www.trademotion.com/partloca...layCatalogid=0

Aftermarket:
05 Impreza WRX M/T Wag L or R New CV Drive Axle Shaft

I'm wondering if there is much of a difference as the OEM is $308 and the aftermarket is $65. I remember reading about another guy who bought an aftermarket axle and it turned out to have a smaller diameter shaft than his stock one.

Does anyone know more about this? (I have searched)

Thanks for any help.

[VD5505]

my friend has a 04 wrx and he paid like $70 bucks from auto zone and the dealer wanted just about $300 for the same axle, plus the one from Autozone has a lifetime warranty so you cant go wrong really,

[jdowrx]

I have an 02 wrx and very recently intalled an 05 tranny, so i had to get new axles to fit that year tranny. Anyways, i was on the same boat as you, i ended up buying the aftermarket ones. In fact they were those exact ones you linked, from that same company. They fit just fine, the only thing is that it took like three weeks to get them.

[ColoWRXer]

Thanks guys, looks like I'll be going for the cheaper option. I've already called all around town and no car part stores carry axles for my car. Maybe I'll give autozone another shot though. Hopefully I don't have to wait 3 weeks...