buying Auto parts.

[msta999]

Here are some links I use to buy parts. I will use used parts sometimes, just depends on what it is and how quick I need it.

http://www.tirerack.com

https://www.rockauto.com/applet3.html

http://www.carparts.com

http://www.hillsboroautowrecking.com/

I have used Rockauto the most, the parts are always the correct one.

[chrisser]

I've been a rockauto customer for a few years now. I have never had a bad experience and their prices can't be beat.

I pretty much get everything through them except the things I have to get through a dealer (new) or ebay (used).

Speaking of dealers, I get those parts through one of the two online (GM) dealerships:


www.partszoneonline.com

www.gmpartsdirect.com


Their prices are comparable. Partszone is in Pittsburgh, which is closer to me so the shipping is cheaper. Gmpartsdirect has a slicker site. They're in NC, I believe.

[MadTripper]

TireRack is great as well. Prices are reasonable and they sell some quality parts. I've ordered shocks/struts and brake components from them.

I do most of my shopping local at Napa, occasionally AutoZone.

Tripper

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

This thread looks like a good place to inform others of a little-known piece of info. msta, I hope you don't mind.

Do NOT buy anything that is Critical to your vehicles performance from Wally. Case in point...
A friend of my Dad is retired from Fram, the makers of oil filters. The Fram filters sold at W-M are NOT the quality of filter that you will find at a 'jobber' (NAPA, etc). The 'guts' of the filter are basically worthless in his (former QC) opinion. These are not filters that do not pass QC... they are made on a seperate assy line with lower grade components and NO QC in order to meet W-Ms price demand.
Spark Plugs? Same thing. I don't care if it says Champion or AC Delco on the box. W-M will only pay so much. What you are buying are Lots that were deemed unfit by a certain percentage point and thusly sold to W-M. You might get lucky and get a good 8 pack. Chances are, 1 in 6 are duds.

People... Support local business and pay a little more for the Important things! If you have to drive 10 miles back to Wally, on an 6 cyl that is only firing on 4, stand in line at Customer Service for 30 minutes... you get the picture. Is that frustration worth the $2 difference??? *

[logansackett]

Hear Hear, down with wally world!!!

[msta999]

TireRack is great as well. *Prices are reasonable and they sell some quality parts. *I've ordered shocks/struts and brake components from them.

I do most of my shopping local at Napa, occasionally AutoZone.

Tripper

TireRack does have good prices, I ordered a set of tire from them for my daughters car. The look real good.

[msta999]

This thread looks like a good place to inform others of a little-known piece of info. msta, I hope you don't mind.

Do NOT buy anything that is Critical to your vehicles performance from Wally. Case in point...
A friend of my Dad is retired from Fram, the makers of oil filters. The Fram filters sold at W-M are NOT the quality of filter that you will find at a 'jobber' (NAPA, etc). The 'guts' of the filter are basically worthless in his (former QC) opinion. These are not filters that do not pass QC... they are made on a seperate assy line with lower grade components and NO QC in order to meet W-Ms price demand.
Spark Plugs? Same thing. I don't care if it says Champion or AC Delco on the box. W-M will only pay so much. What you are buying are Lots that were deemed unfit by a certain percentage point and thusly sold to W-M. You might get lucky and get a good 8 pack. Chances are, 1 in 6 are duds.

People... Support local business and pay a little more for the Important things! If you have to drive 10 miles back to Wally, on an 6 cyl that is only firing on 4, stand in line at Customer Service for 30 minutes... you get the picture. Is that frustration worth the $2 difference??? *

On parts I need/want now, I buy at the local dealers or parts store, just depending on what it is. If I'm working on a project and I'm not in a hury, I get it (only good parts) from the cheapest, which many times is online. Remember, the dealers prices will not always be the highest. I have bought parts from the jeep dealer at half the price Schucks wanted.

[hardrock]

OzarkMtnDaredevil,

Ditto on the AC plugs.
I worked in a local parts house a few years back and can tell you I heard it straight from the manager/owner's mouth.
All AC plugs that pass #1 QC go to GM dealers inventory...
everything below that either goes to chain stores, WW, or the scrap, in that order.
They had the highest return rate of any plug we sold.
In his words, "We get the ones they dropped on the floor!"
I've had good luck with NGK's in everything I've got.
Motorcraft, if I'm in a bind and can't get NGK's.

I haven't used Fram anything since they went to Mexico.
The quality just isn't there anymore.
Wix, Baldwin, or Bosch seem to be decent choices.

chrisser,

gmpartsdirect has kept the GF's S-15 Jimmy goin' for close to 300,000 mi. Better prices than the local dealer, fur sure.