Where do I buy parts that don't break in a year or two?

[375instroke]

I'm tired of buying parts at Crapa or Schmuck Auto Parts and having them go out in a year, or not work at all when the original third rate car company parts lasted 40 years.  WTF?  Where can I get decent parts like a heater core, starter, alternator, plug wires, and so forth, that work worth a s#!t?  I'm in Seattle.

[Ghoste]

Now that most everything is made as cheaply as possible in Mexico, India, and China?  Good luck.

[Mike DC]

   

The service/maintinence parts industry seems to have made a collective decision that only the GM products need to be fully functional.  Everyone else's stuff is strictly decorative.

[greenpigs]

Have a shop rebuild your original part if possible.

[RallyeMike]

Only oil and antifreeze from Schmucks/O'whatevertsthenamenow.

NAPA seems to have the best electrics, brakes, etc. around. Just go to the warehouse store in the Kent Valley - they have it all right there and it's staffed with people who seem to have at least a basic grip on car parts.

[1969chargerrtse]

Yeah NAPA has good stuff.  Also look for a place that still has lifetime parts, if there any of those around.

[RallyeMike]

I replaced the "lifetime" starter in my Volare wagon 4 times in a month.

[bordin34]

So far Carquest has been good for me, usually Raybestos, Moog, or other name brand parts in CarQuest boxes.

[elacruze]

Have a shop rebuild your original part if possible.

X2.

If not, 'lifetime warranty' is the best of bad choices. High-priced aftermarket usually works but is...expensive.

[billssuperbird]

i buy parts at this little auto parts store. and the one guy that owns the store has a 1970 rr gtx. and a 426 hemi in the back of the shop.

[ChargerDuane]

avoid remanufactured parts like the plague is what I've learned.