4 Reasons not to buy cheap Brakes 

Yep, I agree as well. I have owned Detroit Axle rotors and pads; not much stopping power. I am not sure if I have ever had Powerstop. I have an EBC Stage 4 Redstuff kit on my frontend and it creates a ton of brake dust during my driving but the braking power is unreal and unmatched. The bite is loud but that’s the price to pay for intense stopping power. I have owned a few other brands of brakes and the cheap pads just can’t keep up with emergency braking or highway exit ramps.

I remember doing the math on the cheap brake pads years ago... If a box of brake pads (one axle) is $20, then each pad is only $5 worth of material and labor, not even considering the margins that both the manufacturer and retailer take, plus the cost to transport them. Very cheap stuff to bring a big machine to a stop. I don't have a brand loyalty in the brake space, but there are definitely some I avoid.

AGREED! I bought some Detroit axle rear pads and rotors for my Pontiac grand prix GTP. The pads almost immediately overheated after hard driving. And on top of that there was a weird tapping noise when the caliper was in place over the rotor. If you spun the rotor with the caliper off it didn’t make it but with the caliper on not even bolted down, it would start to make the tapping and I still never found where it’s coming from. Theres no evidence of rubbing or grinding metal together either. I highly don’t recommend to cheap out on brakes unless you ABSOLUTELY need new ones and your VERY tight on money.

I've learned in my life buy right and cry once, rather that buy twice and cry twice

Still learning what pads/rotors I like on my daily. If I remember correctly the Centric brand pads and rotors are on my 99 SE, while the Dynamic Friction brand are on my two 2000s and 07. Seem to hold up alright for both myself (I'm light on my brakes) and for my brothers who have a lead foot on both the gas and brake pedals. The Centrics are pushing 6 years of service without issue and normal wear. Probably time to order a spare set just in case though!