2001 CRV in need of a Drive Shaft

Hello there. I so hope you can help me. I live in Costa Rica and recently bought a 2001 CRV. (Cars are extremely expensive here). I owned the car a week and it got hit by a tree. The driveshaft was damaged from a rock under the car.

The mechanic here wants to put in a new Honda drive shaft part for 1600.00, plus labor. I see online that parts made by third party vendors - not Honda - are about $200-300.00. Would you recommend using a Honda part or importing in a third party part? Would you try to find a used part? Where and how?

I will be in the US from Feb 21 - March 5 so have to find the obtain the part in that timeframe. Any recommendation? I would hate to buy a new part when the car is so old but want to be safe and reliable.

Any help is so appreciated.

Thank you.

Amy