Seriously Questioning Napa's Quality

[SwampSurvivor]

Well let's add the thermostat to the list.

Jeep is running about 150 all the time. Definitely no heat under the hood. Thermostat failed.

NAPA IS JUNK. I WILL NOT BE SPENDING ANOTHER DIME OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY AT NAPA.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Miller88

NAPA IS JUNK. I WILL NOT BE SPENDING ANOTHER DIME OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY AT NAPA.


They are not the only ones. About two years ago, I replaced the thermostat in my van three times before I got one that would give me decent heat in the winter. Within the last week, the two year old thermostat has failed and I need to replace it again. Thermostats are now one item that I buy from the dealer.

 

[Roadking]

I don’t know about anyone else, but is the NAPA web site almost useless?
It’s faster for me to drive to the store, (wait until they are off the phone - another issue) made to feel like I’m bothering them, only to find out they don’t have the part, and then walk across the street to AAP.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Roadking
I don’t know about anyone else, but is the NAPA web site almost useless?


If you think the U.S. one is bad, you should try the Canadian site.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Roadking

I don’t know about anyone else, but is the NAPA web site almost useless?


I don't think it's useless at all. It works fine for me.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Well let's add the thermostat to the list.

Jeep is running about 150 all the time. Definitely no heat under the hood. Thermostat failed.

NAPA IS JUNK. I WILL NOT BE SPENDING ANOTHER DIME OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY AT NAPA.



I always buy T-stats from the dealer, and test them in a pot of boiling water before installing them.

 

[lairdwd]

When you find a line that works for you, stick with it. Only stray off the reservation when you have to.

Once you start getting too many issues, then, and only then, switch. It's not universal to any one brand. It even gets down to different runs of different brands. Distributors, forget it. Too much tech work that is ignored. Some other electrical type parts... NOT. Some of the cheaper suspension parts.. avoid. Some of them are ok though. Bosch reman starters for the win.

Find who the OEM is and buy a reman with their branding if possible. For example, you can get a Hitachi reman for $160 on the web. Same part costs $550 at the stealership.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'm going to be buying a used car in the spring to replace my Focus. I'm truely worried that I'm going to have nothing but problems with it because of junk aftermarket parts.

My plan is to buy something with 100k miles or so. Because of the higher mileage, it's going to get the same treatment the XJ got this spring; new cooling system, all fluids changed, any odd-ball parts specific to that vehicle that tend to have problems (IE crank sensor) ... I'm worried that I am going to be doing a bunch of maintenance to just have the parts fail and leave me stranded.

 

[larryinnewyork]

Hello all,

I recently needed a 3' x 4' Drip Tray to lay under my vehicle.

AAP had them for $10.00 each - Made in USA

NAPA had the same size for $20.00 - Made in China

I try to give myself some time to shop for parts.
Some times I get lucky.

Alot of Americans try to buy - Made in USA.

If only the stores would cooperate.

Larry

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
Hello all,

I recently needed a 3' x 4' Drip Tray to lay under my vehicle.

AAP had them for $10.00 each - Made in USA

NAPA had the same size for $20.00 - Made in China

I try to give myself some time to shop for parts.
Some times I get lucky.

Alot of Americans try to buy - Made in USA.

If only the stores would cooperate.

Larry


Would you have bought the USA made tray if it was $20 and the China one was $10?

 

[tinmanSC]

I came to this same conclusion about a year ago after a series of poor quality parts from NAPA, 3, count them, THREE fuel injectors ( Link to my ordeal here link to my ordeal here), 1 starter, 2 rotors, I stopped buying from them.

 

[larryinnewyork]

Hootbro,

That's a good question.

As with any purchase, I would look at - Quality.

All things being equal, I would expect Made in Chine to be less expensive. Not double the price.

As for a Drip Tray, I would go by Price.

P.S. - I have no leaking fluids. The tray was to catch debris as I was doing PM.

Larry