OEM are the best, and I've heard that even those fail brand new out of the box.
The opti isn't THAT bad. My stock one lasted me 180k, and still worked fine when I replaced it. I only changed it because I was doing headers and electric water pump, so I figured I would spend the money and do it before it failed. The second one was fine when I took it off at 240k, and I only replaced it because I switched to vented set up. The vented opti on the car since 240k is one I got in a box of parts and I don't know any history on it, but it was pretty filthy. I cleaned it up, threw it on, and have had no problems.
Just don't get it wet and you'll be ok.