Buying auto parts online

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

For some parts I'll strictly use a salvage yard. Taillight being one of them. A good site I've been using for over 15 years is Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market . Body parts, interior parts, lights, bulky parts that would cost a lot to ship.

Most mechanical and electrical parts I'll get right from the brick and mortar store. Anything not in stock for my almost 30 year old car they can get next day. They're not going to sell me a piece of junk, because they have to deal with it if I have to bring it back. I also can see the part first, make sure it's really the right part in the box (yes sometimes listings and things get mixed up). A real hassle if I'd have ordered it online.

Oil and things, it depends who's running a sale. Often the farm store has a good sale on Mobil 1 but not much for filters. And sometimes the parts store is actually cheaper for things like that. Even simple things like filters, wiper blades, they carry them at Walmart but you always wonder if you're going to come home emptyhanded when they're out of stock half the time. At the parts store they always have it so I don't have to waste my time. Besides I can get in and out of the parts store much faster than Walmart.

I typically go online for specialty things that nobody around here will order for me.

My daily driver is a 15-year-old VW GTI. I've used www.car-part.com a number of times for used parts. It's worked pretty well. I can tell some of the recycling yards aren't really accustomed to handling phone orders from end users. But so far, no problems.

I've bought many new parts from www.rockauto.com, but some items I've needed are too specialized or obscure for that. Then I will usually turn to Invalid Link Removed (their parts selector used to be really good, but they "revamped" the site and made it pretty mediocre) or Invalid Link Removed.

I wouldn't mind buying parts from the local dealers if they didn't make me feel like a chump for doing so. First, as mentioned, their high prices. Second, I can't order online or over the phone by credit card. I have to come in to their shop, and then, they almost always don't actually have it in stock. It's in the regional warehouse. Gotta pre-order and pre-pay it, and it'll be in tomorrow or the day after. Great, so I have to make a second trip then, and pay a premium for the privilege of doing so.

 

[slobake]

I still get JC Whitney catalogs once in awhile. Ordered a few things from them in the past. One time I ordered over $300 worth of exhaust parts. One adapter missing, and about 25% of my clamps missing by the time I pieced together everything that was spilled in the box. Later on I ordered a set of crowfoot wrenches. Several sizes I needed were left out, and the quality of them rivaled tools from the dollar store. Never was able to use them for anything. That was it for me. No offense to anyone, but IMO a lot of their offerings still appear like they're catering to a broke high schooler from the 70s.

Next time I needed exhaust parts not available locally, I went thru Summit Racing and no issues.

No offense taken, good to know about JC Whitney quality. I haven't ordered anything from them since I was a broke college student in the 70's

 

[fdeck]

Dang, you just reminded me that my van has a busted taillight. I'll be ordering one from Rock Auto... they've been good to me in the past. Other faves:

Invalid Link Removed for trailer hitches, and even bike racks. Comprehensive installation instructions for all of their hitches, so you can size up the project and decide if you can do it yourself.

Invalid Link Removed for snow tires. I got a complete set of tires, mounted and balanced on rims, delivered to my door. My daughter said: "Will you have someone install them?" Wrong question. Then she learned how to change a wheel.

 

[jchrisk1]

I buy online a lot. Depending on what it is, will determine whether or not I cheap out. I always buy electrical motors/parts from a reputable dealer, and usually all suspension/steering parts. All of my motorcycle parts come new from Florida. I've got a 40 year old bike, and that is the only place to get parts for it new.

 

[Mike N]

I'm trying to find parts for a 96 Nissan Pickup. Any recommendations for online junk yards, do reliable ones exist?

What parts are you looking for??

 

[bolophonic]

I bought a replacement for my drivers side rear view on my Tacoma and it looked like they designed it from a photo of the real thing. It pretty much fit, but once you tighten the bolts, the adjuster doohickey is wedged in a way that permanently points the mirror towards the ground. I got it kind of fixed, but I need to finesse it a little more before I start snapping the trim back in.

 

[Hopkins]

Just because it's from the dealer doesn't mean you're getting a quality part.

My previous before last vehicle was new under warranty. It was in the dealer shop for repair more times than you could shake a stick at.

Factory new parts are almost always better than auto parts store remans

 

[fdeck]

Factory new parts are almost always better than auto parts store remans

Factory new cars are also nicer. Meanwhile, we keep our klunkers going. One thing that goes through my mind when buying parts is that I don't expect my car to last another 15 years, so they don't need to be as good as the old parts. For one thing, I hope that I won't need such a big beast 15 years from now, if I need a car at all.

 

[grinx]

Negative battery cable
Drivers side tire jack cover on side interior
Jack rod clip on back interior wall of cab
Push-in clips for both cowl grills
Felt-channel thing for sliding rear glass window behind pass side (it keeps the rain out when sliding center section is closed)

I inherited a non-running 68k 1-owner pickup but it needs some hard to find parts. It even has a factory sunroof that needs parts, that will be fun.

 

[Gaolee]

Factory new parts are almost always better than auto parts store remans

Sure, but if a tail light fits and works, what does quality really mean? I keep a stock of cheap rear view mirrors for my van because the dumbo ears get smacked and knocked off on a regular basis. I think of them as a consumable part. My van - you can't miss it. Nobody else can either. So, the ears are always getting whacked, tucked in or not. Quality of part is 100% irrelevant to me.

 

[Mike N]

Sure, but if a tail light fits and works, what does quality really mean? I keep a stock of cheap rear view mirrors for my van because the dumbo ears get smacked and knocked off on a regular basis. I think of them as a consumable part. My van - you can't miss it. Nobody else can either. So, the ears are always getting whacked, tucked in or not. Quality of part is 100% irrelevant to me.

Have you ever tried folding your mirrors in when you park?

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Factory new cars are also nicer. Meanwhile, we keep our klunkers going. One thing that goes through my mind when buying parts is that I don't expect my car to last another 15 years, so they don't need to be as good as the old parts. For one thing, I hope that I won't need such a big beast 15 years from now, if I need a car at all.

And there are a lot of auto parts that really only wear in certain replaceable components, and the rest of the parts just might need a good cleaning. I've rejuvenated a few alternators in my lifetime (I seem drawn to electrical stuff lol) for myself and other family members. New bearings, brushes, maybe a new regulator and/or rectifiers, etc. Check resistance on all the windings (I haven't had one fail). The shell doesn't wear, and the stator and rotor windings are robust. Not a full rebuild but they last for the rest of the life of the car, at least.

 

[Gaolee]

Have you ever tried folding your mirrors in when you park?

They still git hit. They get hit in traffic, parked, whatever. Tucked in or not.

 

[groooooove]

i've ordered parts from amazon several times, never a problen. stuff like blinkers, headlights, mirrors, spark plugs, lots of motorcycle parts and tires..

if you enter your make and model in your profile it'll tell you what does and does not fit. i've never had an issue. much cheaper than the other way to do this.

 

[Hopkins]

Sure, but if a tail light fits and works, what does quality really mean? I keep a stock of cheap rear view mirrors for my van because the dumbo ears get smacked and knocked off on a regular basis. I think of them as a consumable part. My van - you can't miss it. Nobody else can either. So, the ears are always getting whacked, tucked in or not. Quality of part is 100% irrelevant to me.

Its funny you mention mirrors. I bought a set of mirrors off of Amazon to replace one on my truck that was knocked off by some idiot not looking when changing lanes. They look factory, fit will, but they have annoying whistle at highway speed, something that was never a problem with the factory parts.

 

[Gaolee]

My van is like going to hell in a Waring blender anyway, so it just doesn't matter. It's a 2002 window van that was a state DOT construction site hauler before I got it. It works fine for me, but it sure isn't elegant.

 

[rtslinger]

I have purchase parts online with in store pickup
I had to purchase the timing belt replacement kit for my Outback a couple years ago. As long as it is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part I use them.
the dealer wanted 3X what I got it for online. I have had bad experiences in the past going with a non Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) which was a MAF for my MBZ and it did not work # 1 and they made me to return it lesson learned