I buy virtually nothing at local parts places anymore. Rock Auto is OK for some things, but now I buy almost everything from online dealers (Toyota and Honda). I found both within a distance that makes UPS ground a 1-day delivery, so I rarely wait very long for anything. In my experience their prices are equal to or often better than Napa or anywhere else, and the quality is usually better.
Favorite Parts Store?
- Thread starter dsmith41
- Start date
- Status
For oil: Walmart. they have by far the best prices, and widest selection.
Filters: Advance (Purolator) or NAPA (NAPA Gold)
Parts: NAPA Preferably.
Filters: Advance (Purolator) or NAPA (NAPA Gold)
Parts: NAPA Preferably.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2005
- Messages
- 10,336
My favorite is Zalinsky Auto Parts. Since there isn't one in my area, I usually buy from AAP, AZ, and O'Reilly. I never find a need to go to Napa.
I usually buy oil and cheap spark plugs at Walmart.
I usually buy oil and cheap spark plugs at Walmart.
Online parts:
rockauto (why aren't they a sponsor here?)
sparkplugs.com
Brick and mortar parts: NAPA
Accessories: (everything not behind the counter)
Autozone.
rockauto (why aren't they a sponsor here?)
sparkplugs.com
Brick and mortar parts: NAPA
Accessories: (everything not behind the counter)
Autozone.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
Online parts:
sparkplugs.com
Oh yeah I forgot about them. Sparkplugs.com (aka Monarch Products) is a very good place to buy from especially if you have Asian cars. Denso is an OEM for lots of Toyota parts and you can get them at a pretty good discount there.
Once I bought a Denso condenser from sparkplugs.com and it arrived dented. When I called the company, they put a rep from Denso Products on the phone who just about offered to personally drive a new one up to my house. A day later I got a call from a Denso engineer who apologized again and assured me that they sent out a replacement via next day air. It arrived complete with postage free return labels for the dented unit. This was followed up with yet another call a few days later checking to see that I got the new condenser and asking if I was good with the new unit. I've never seen customer service like that before.
Online parts:
sparkplugs.com
Oh yeah I forgot about them. Sparkplugs.com (aka Monarch Products) is a very good place to buy from especially if you have Asian cars. Denso is an OEM for lots of Toyota parts and you can get them at a pretty good discount there.
Once I bought a Denso condenser from sparkplugs.com and it arrived dented. When I called the company, they put a rep from Denso Products on the phone who just about offered to personally drive a new one up to my house. A day later I got a call from a Denso engineer who apologized again and assured me that they sent out a replacement via next day air. It arrived complete with postage free return labels for the dented unit. This was followed up with yet another call a few days later checking to see that I got the new condenser and asking if I was good with the new unit. I've never seen customer service like that before.
I am a big fan of the employee's at my local Advance Auto. It is about 1/2 mile further from my house then Auto Zone but the guys at Auto Zone are cocky know it alls.
If I need a quality part (Alternator, Starter ect) I go to Napa.
If I need a quality part (Alternator, Starter ect) I go to Napa.
Last edited:
I am helping a freind do major work on his car and the parts he purchased From NAPA is the lowest quality made in China garbage money can buy. Most of the parts had to be returned . Years ago Napa sold good parts.
Unfortunately I have found the same thing. Recently I bought new sway bar links and the ones I got from NAPA looked very similar to the OEMs that after 8 years were worn out. They lasted less than a year! A transmission mount I purchased (again) looked just like the OEM but when I went to torque down the holding nuts, the first one I tightened snapped off the mounting stud.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
I am helping a freind do major work on his car and the parts he purchased From NAPA is the lowest quality made in China garbage money can buy. Most of the parts had to be returned . Years ago Napa sold good parts.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
I am helping a freind do major work on his car and the parts he purchased From NAPA is the lowest quality made in China garbage money can buy. Most of the parts had to be returned . Years ago Napa sold good parts.
Used to be Napa, but more often O'Reilly these days. I used to be OK with NAPA and the generally higher prices, but the Napa alternator that has been warrantied 3 times now, and some other less than stellar parts purchases have soured me some. O'Reilly often has the same part (just under the actual manufacturer name) as Napa and is usually lower. The rear wiper motor I replaced on the Cherokee was stickered as a Napa unit in the manufacturers box. The O'Reilly guys thought that was pretty funny... In addition, they have done a better job of having special order parts in faster and at no charge lately. After that, Rockauto or Carquest (most have business hours around here...)
if its not something i can buy from my work directly, i will check out our vendors and pay cost plus tax direct from them.
for Volvo parts I use Tasca Volvo, IPD Tuning, the Volvo dealer next to mine if its something small like a filter, or else Smith Volvo in San Luis Obispo if i need it right away.
ford my German Castrol i hit up the Pep Boys in Ventura as they usually have enough. I will buy Mobil 1 at Costco when they have their $10 off a 6 pack coupon.
for Volvo parts I use Tasca Volvo, IPD Tuning, the Volvo dealer next to mine if its something small like a filter, or else Smith Volvo in San Luis Obispo if i need it right away.
ford my German Castrol i hit up the Pep Boys in Ventura as they usually have enough. I will buy Mobil 1 at Costco when they have their $10 off a 6 pack coupon.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
I am helping a freind do major work on his car and the parts he purchased From NAPA is the lowest quality made in China garbage money can buy. Most of the parts had to be returned . Years ago Napa sold good parts.
You have to double check what they are selling you, most parts come in 2 or 3 quality lines. They've done this to keep the "Kragen has it cheaper" crowd. If you buy the professional/premium/gold line it is usually still good stuff.
I am helping a freind do major work on his car and the parts he purchased From NAPA is the lowest quality made in China garbage money can buy. Most of the parts had to be returned . Years ago Napa sold good parts.
You have to double check what they are selling you, most parts come in 2 or 3 quality lines. They've done this to keep the "Kragen has it cheaper" crowd. If you buy the professional/premium/gold line it is usually still good stuff.
- Status