Preferred Auto Parts Store

[The Critic]

I prefer to order parts from an online dealer, of the make that I am working on. When I had my older Saturn and I was not too concerned about parts quality, I ordered many parts from Rockauto.

Occasionally, I will purchase from Fast Undercar or O'Reilly's Auto Parts if I am in a time crunch.

 

[MK2]

I usually get parts from IMC parts, since my sister-in-law works there, they are auto parts distributor so I can get parts for cheap.

For smaller purchases , I usually go at AZ first.

 

[The_Jeff]

We have a local chain, VIP, that has sometimes suprised me on hard parts like wheel bearings-- name brands like Timken for the cheapest price around. They also have a whole aisle in the customer area of exhaust pipes, adaptors, elbows, clamps, flexpipes and other doodads so you can mentally patch/rebuild your exhaust with universal parts. Could you imagine bugging the guy at napa to have him bring you a 45 degree elbow, no, wait, with one end widened for a slip fit, put it back, etc.

But VIP has no online shopping/pricing experience so they lose out BIG TIME.

NAPA also has its hands tied with their franchisees and it's hard to get a price out of the website. The local franchisee tacks on another 5% or so over "cash/web MSRP" for walk in customers which is also pretty offensive. They have in stock lots of stuff for reinventing fuel line; my Century got changed from steel to nylon with stuff from there.

Advance gets most of my business. It's not just the coupons; I can order online, forward the email to wife, and have her stop on the way home from work.

I use rockauto and ebay for bigger things like clutches and radiators. RA was nice for a track bar for my b4000, was $90 locally or $35 plus $10 shipping with rockauto.

 

[MNgopher]

If I have time and they have a better price, Rockauto gets my online business.

After that, I shop Napa and O'Reilly based on price and the brand name of the part at O'Reilly. There are many of their lines that are the same as Napa, some cheaper. I'll price shop based on availibility and the price on the equivalant part.

If neither have what I need, I turn to the local carquest attached to the regional warehouse. If they don't have it, it truly is a special order. Only problem there is price - usually more expensive than Napa.

Everyone else after that...

 

[FowVay]

For the cheapy box stores I prefer my local O'Reilly. Their batteries have proven to be the best I've used and the guys at my store are young and entertaining. Some of their parts are too cheap for my tastes and I'll pass on them but for most items they seem to work fine.

Recently I had very bad luck with AutoZone and their alternators where I ended up buying a NAPA replacement which worked well. My NAPA isn't very convenient so they're a last choice due to location.

Otherwise I mail-order most parts unless I need them immediately. For mail-order I use Rockauto the most frequently.

This week alone I purchased a ignition coil and plugs for a Chevy Cobalt, a intake manifold gasket for a Hyundai Elantra and two batteries for a VW Golf (one gasser, one diesel) from my local O'Reilly. I ordered a full filter set for a VW Golf and some lug nut caps for a Chevrolet Impala from Rockauto. Everything purchsed was in good order and worked perfect.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Advance Auto seems to be the best for down here in the jungle...Napa does not want to take returns back [down here anyway] even when they order the wrong stuff for you.

 

[jdeare]

We've got almost all of them around here (suburban Chicago). I like Carquest and NAPA best, although I usually end up going to Autozone because of prices. Advance is moving in (2 new stores near me in the last year) but they're not currently getting my business because 1) they gave me back my old milk jug when I brought in oil to be recycled, Autozone never does that and I don't like it; and 2) they did not have turn signal bulbs in stock for my Buick (how many GM cars use those bulbs??). Add in a more difficult parking lot and they're off my list. Maybe the new one will be better.

We used to have Murray's but the one near me closed, and I guess now they are OReilly. Anyway they're too far away from me.

When I first started driving I would buy oil at Trak Auto (VW Bug so no filter).

 

[jim302]

CarQuest is where I have been going lately, since their corporate headquarters is in Raleigh, so I'm supporting the local economy. Also, they have a big warehouse here that is connected to one of their stores, so parts are almost always available immediately even if it is an unusual item. They are a bit more expensive, but like Napa, parts are of high quality and you can get things that you just can't find elsewhere.

I've also had good luck with Advance, and sometimes stop by Pep Boys or AutoZone. I just prefer CarQuest most of the time.

For Oil, Wal-Mart has a great selection and their prices are usually good (but are not always the best, so it's good to keep an eye on the competition).

 

[Slick17601]

I've started to take a liking to the local Car Quest. I stopped there a few months ago after I tired of the attitude at my local Napa.

 

[DavidZ28]

I live very close to a NAPA, Auto Zone, Advance & O'Reily's.
I don't care for NAPA too much. Auto Zone is O.K. Advance has given me the best customer service, and O'Reilly's is the only place I can find that stocks Wix filters.

 

[Kestas]

The original Murray's in Redford was a top notch place where the counter help was extremely knowledgeable. I've been buying from there for 35 years. Their prices have always been the lowest. They're still good with low prices since they've been bought out by O'Reilly's, but they've become too vanilla. I think the good quality of counter help is a residual from days' past.

 

[4ever4d]

Autozone is first on my list with Oreillys,and Advance in that order but,i always shop all three for pricing before final purchase is made.

 

[ltslimjim]

Usually whichever I can find the brand/part I'm looking for specifically and hopefully the best price. Sometimes, I'm willing to fudge on paying slightly more in a pinch, but usually note price changes all of the time on regularly purchased things.

If I'm not using Amsoil, I'm usually at Walmart buying Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy or Valvoline MaxLife, etc.

 

[lexus114]

NAPPA!

2nd choice is carQuest.

 

[bdcardinal]

Well cant to NAPA anymore here. The one in Santa Barbara closed a few years ago, and the one in Goleta closed last week.

 

[AuthorEditor]

In order: WalMart, AAP, and RockAuto if I can't get something locally. Occasionally I'll venture into Autozone if something is on sale, though it is out of my way. Sears for most tools.

 

[paulo57509]

Local Auto Parts Stores:

Monument Auto Parts - Knowledgeable counter help, good selection of weird parts, Red Line dealer, name brands, they know what I'm looking for even if I don't know what it's called. And they have some old stock in the back. Invaluable for us old skool guys. They even have speedo cable lube!

Kragen/O'Riely's - Not enough sales people to man the registers. [censored] parts. OK for wax and stuff you can get off the pegs on the wall.

Autozone - Not enough sales people to man the registers or parts counters. [censored] parts. OK for wax and stuff you can get off the pegs on the wall. My oil filter source (Bosch).

Walmart - Shelves are usually bare. Good for oil.....if they have it. My Pennzoil source.

NAPA - Lots of [censored] regarding why my parts didn't show up and how they reserve the right to sell my warranty replacement starter to someone else if they happen to make a sale prior to me getting to the store that afternoon to pick it up.

Online:

Rock Auto - No issues, they call if there is.

Asian Auto Parts - I buy all my OEM Honda/Acura parts from them. I don't pay full list, they're just up the road in Sacramento and most parts are two days away.

Summit and Jegs - Good outfits and good tech support, but "Made in China" is starting to invade. I like Summit because they have a warehouse in Reno; parts are two days away if they don't have to come from Ohio.

Auto Barn - They have weird stuff that I'm looking for.

Susquehanna Motor Sports - For all my lighting needs.