New O2 sensor: Universal vs OEM wiring plug?
 

OK, I'm in the market for a new O2 sensor for my 2000 Protege, 5 spd, 1.6 liter engine. I'm talking about the sensor ahead of the cat, the one that screws into the exhaust manifold.

I'm looking at two models. One is a Bosch sensor with a factory OEM wiring harness and plug specific to my car. It costs $170 at my local Autozone and apparently is a drop in fit.

The same store sells another version of the same Bosch sensor, but with a "universal" wiring harness. Basically you cut the cable on your existing O2 sensor to keep the original plug, tease apart the individual wire leads, and then connect them to the bare leads of the replacement sensor. The part comes with a wiring diagram to make sure you are connecting the correct wires, and a chunky "junction box" to keep all the splices nice and tidy.

The cost of the Bosch sensor with the "universal" wiring? $70. So the extra $100 buys you what appears to be a $1 plastic plug and I guess considerable time savings.

I'm pretty good at reading diagrams and have more time than money. Am I missing something? What are the downsides to going the "universal" route? Anyone ever used this product?

Bump. Any advice?

if you are good at wiring, go with the universal..the extra $100 buys you peace of mind...you screw it into the manifold, plug it in and you're done...with the universal, if you're wiring is off, you just spent $70 on a paperweight.

splices and junction box? yuck

I wouldn't do it for a high current heated sensor. solder + shrinkwrap = way better.