Is O'Reilley's auto parts really any better than A-zone or Advance? Do they peddle the same cheap imported auto parts as the two previous mentions stores?

They are starting to pop up around here now.

If I needed a serious part I'd likely go to Napa or Carquest anyway.

 

i don't go to places like that, so i can't tell you.
i either go to Napa, or Ford.
but i do know a lot of people that go to the cheapo stores like autozoo, advanced, and pepboys.
the parts they buy there constantly need replacing.

in the end they end up paying 4-5 times the amount i pay for parts because of the failure rate, but all they see is the number in front of their nose, not the long run numbers.

 

i don't have any up in my neck of the woods but from an online comparison I did with identical parts I found Advance is way cheaper and when I use promo codes it's even cheaper still. If I need a major electrical part I stick with OEM stuff

 

Its all basically the same. I dont find NAPA any better today, just more expensive. Be aware that even Ford sources some parts in China. For rebuilt starters, alternators and the like, get a brand name like Bosch instead of the store brand.

 

Here they are the bottom of the barrel, probably due to poor ownership. They are the dirtiest and prices aren't good. Napa is the best followed by Auto zone and Advanced is starting to get better, used to be like what Oreilly's is now.

Usually all I have used them for is an oil sale or if there is an item that should be stocked and all the other stores don't have it I try ORY.

 

For me whose best is pretty much determined by what I need. As Phinxter says anything electrical like COP's and most switches I'm calling the local stealership. With the minor discount I receive the prices are very close to the discount houses including NAPA.

There can be sizable price differences in USA made stuff from Advance Auto, most notably their brake rotors and drums. I've had the chance to compare side-by-side an NAPA mid-level rotor with Advance's usual stocked item and they're absolutely identical other than about 1/2 the cost.

Car Quest is good as well----I've found a few USA made parts there for fair prices---mostly by calling first though.

I do the online thing more for convenience than anything but the prices are quite in line too. Its just easier point, click and wait for delivery than doing the foot and leg work it usually takes to source everything all at once. Amazon is my first go to place------free shipping too. Nothing like ordering Moog ball joints AND the newest Miranda Lambert CD at the same time

Of course if I need Hello, Kitty windshield shades, air freshener scents, Yosemite Sam floor mats, 20 oz Diet Pepsi's or Twizzlers at the check out counter the discount houses are my first stops!

 

The Napa stores near me are terrible. They look like they haven't changed from the '80's. No Autozone stores me which leaves me with Pep Boys (no thanks), Advance Auto Supply, Car Quest, and a couple of dealers. I usually end up at Advance or Car Quest, more often than not, Advance because they have a bigger selection.

Any dealership purchases are made through the web, I go for the cheapest online.

 

I've gone to both O'Reilley's and AutoZone. IMO, I think O'Reilley's is slightly better than the Checker it replaced (around here, anyway), but I prefer to go to the AutoZone as a couple of the ones around here have people who actually know what they're talking about whereas the O'Relley's, not so much...

I'll also shop online at RockAuto as there are some pretty good deals to be had, sometimes...

I like CarQuest, but I'll only go to Napa if nobody else in the area has what I need - I'm not real happy with Napa...

 

I used to like CSK Auto, but the O'Reillys buyout brought better and worse service in a few different areas. I do still prefer them, but now that I am back in WA, I can go back to Parts Plus. They are the top of the auto part companies with good parts, decent prices, and knowledgeable people. Napa seems to be Autobone parts at higher prices lately. Their quality has gone way downhill since the late 90s.
My personal preference is:
Parts Plus
O'Reillys
Rock Auto
Carquest
Auto Zone
Napa.

 

The parts themselves commonly are sourced from the same places. I doubt there really is any difference in quality between them. What most times is different is how they handle the warranties for them.

 

Good point!

For me though I'm not nearly as interested in a warranty as I am the quality of what I'm buying----wanna buy it once, install it once and forget about it.

Relating a story about a friend and a cheap water pump, 5.0 Mustang, late 80's vintage. Bought one for like $15 and it leaked immediately. Installed the warranty replacement and it too leaked straight out of the box. Third one lasted just about about a week. Unbelievable to me the FOURTH one lasted a few weeks before but only now did my friend decide it wasn't worth the warranty, opted for the more expensive better quality (at the time NAPA) part. Yeah he was quite the bonehead for suffering though this more than once but to me it illustrates the worst case scenario.

There's no guarantee any part won't be DOA or fail soon after installation but better quality tends to last much longer which is my primary goal when making any repairs.

 

A lot of the lifetime parts are the exact same as the 1yr or 90day warranty parts, just more expensive to cover the cost of replacement.
I generally try to avoid mass rebuilds to begin with. I rebuild my own alternators and starters for the most part, but had the starter on my 7.3 rebuilt professionally. Worked great until the wire between the solenoid and starter motor came loose. It almost fried itself, but I was able to save it. Next time I'll rebuild that myself as well.
Sometimes the new parts are better, but still no guarantees. I like to look at them and see the quality of the casting. If that's garbage, chances are the part is garbage all around.

 

Seems like the old adage relating to financial returns or weight loss programs applies to experiences with the different parts houses..."your results may vary". I haven't run across any that consistently meet or exceed expectations. Yes, some are generally better than others but as soon as you try to count on one, they let you down.

 

I had an idler arm issue with Napa. Started out with the standard, the alignment shop showed my the up-down motion on it, and wouldn't align it. Did the same thing a few more times, same results. Upgraded to the gold, same problem. The manager at the store then proceeded to claim that they should be like that... Never did get one with no motion up and down.

 

What did you eventually do with the idler arm issue?