Have spent the better part of the summer searching half heartedly for a new engine air filter. (At the last oil change, a replacement was recommended, however not urgently needed.) The parts have been on backorder most of the summer. Air filters now appear to be available, however the difference in price between the Fram and Purolater is too great not to ask why...

Fram Part No.CA10170 is $8.99

Purolator Air Filter Part Number: A25567 is $47.48

First off, will the cheap one fit? Secondly, with the Purolator being 5x more expensive, what will it get me? Finally, what should I make of the Ford Manual's threat of only using Ford parts? Being a hybrid, I'm hyper-sensative to auto part store and/or general mechanics' knowledge.

Thanks!