NAPA Car Parts?

Question

When I go to NAPA to buy parta there is always the cheap parts, then the high dollar parts. Are the high dollar parts that much better? or are the cheap parts just as good. Because, I don't always have the money for the higher parts.

Answer 1

It's kinda like clothes, Cheap clothes work, But aren't Cool. So Name brand stuff is cool, but also works. So its what ever you can work with. But Always go with the better Brakes.

Answer 2

I really hate to use the analogy but lets just compare it to food if you will...there is the cheap brand..still fills you up and maybe taste's good..and then there is the more expensive brand where it taste really good and really satisfies you. Or sometimes it could be the other way around.

Same situation here. I have been working on cars for 16+years and sometimes the cheaper part is just as good as the expensive. Really depends on the part. Alot of times with the more expensive part you are paying for a "Name" but that "Name" is recognized for a reason. If I can afford it I will come some where in the middle when it's electrical parts ie: Alternator, starter, ignition coil ect. Just really depends on what part. There is not anything wrong with the cheaper part just know what you are buying and word of mouth from the supplier of that part will really give you an idea. Sometimes shopping around to find a cheaper part and knowing others have done the same and our happy with that product is the best way to go.

Answer 3

I would go to a local mechanic that has a great reputation. Let him get the parts for you and install them. Mechanics get a break on the cost and mark them up a little. Since they are helping you save money by not going to the dealer, its only fair to let them make a little money on the parts. And of course they'll make some money on the labor as well. One other benefit is that you can request a specific part quality to your mechanic and he will take responsibility for the part. For instance, you can request a low brake dust part, so your wheels stay cleaner. Or you can request a high performance pad and drilled or slotted rotors. You can also request a quiet pad that doesn't squeak. A good mechanic knows which pad/rotor setup to use. I believe its in our best interest to support good mechanics in our local area. They make an honest living doing a service we choose not to do. They also give back to the community and local businesses. Yes, we should also support the dealership as well, as long as they don't overcharge us for repairs, or they don't pressure us into doing unnecessary work. I hope this helps Greg

Answer 4

It depends what you mean. I went there from brake pads and they had a $12 dollar set and a $40 set with a lifetime warrantee. I asked what the difference was and was told that they were exactly the same but one had a warrantee.
Sometimes parts are brand new and some are rebuilt. Sometimes rebuilt isn't much better than what you took off your car, but most times they work.
It depends on what the part is, sometimes I get new sometimes not. If it is really hard to change I usually get the new part. But I never pay extra for a warrantee.

Answer 5

Shop around. No one that works on lots of cars just uses one supplier. Napa is lousy for gaskets victor-reinz is garbage as far as I am concerned, I use Fel-Pro, Cometic, Corteco. Their brake pads are okay, but Autozone gives a lifetime wear warranty with their duralast and duralast gold pads and shoes. Autozone also gives you a 100% new alternator W/ lifetime warranty for less than a Napa remanfactured. Then for certain parts I like brands, Belts and hoses I like Gates, and I like Stant for thermostats as the aftermarket parts can be defective out of the box, and I have never had a problem with stant. As far as many parts are concerned they are the same at Advance, Autozone, Napa, Car Quest, Federated, ABC etc the only difference is the box. As an aside, Napa here in my area is more than the dealer for most parts.

Napa is good for filters (dana WIX) belts and hoses (gates) But I can buy Gates hoses for half NAPA price at my local parts warehouse.

Answer 6

usually when it comes to the repairs I do on cars, and how much or how how little I like doing the same job over when the part fails. always compells me to buy the best part I can get for the money. I hate doing the same job over If i bought a part that is not covered by a warranty. Spend the money. You get what you pay for.

Answer 7

usually parts are the same, the auto parts stores try to get you to spend more money for the supposed better part when the only difference is the warranty or how long the part might last, there are of course better parts that are made to last longer and not have to be replaced all the time, you get what you pay for,

Answer 8

I have NAPA brakes on my 2002 Taurus. I bought the cheap ones but they make a grinding sound even though they have plenty of life left.

Now I have the better ones, no more grind.

Get the better ones.

Answer 9

The higher priced parts are usually better. That is why you pay the extra money. Sometimes though, you are paying for the name on the parts. Look at both of them and decide for yourself.

Answer 10

If a part has a lifetime warranty and is higher priced than the
part that comes with a 90 day warranty and is lower priced, you could safely assume that the higher priced part may be of better quality....Check your wallet for the answer of affordability....