Wanted: a Lowest Price Found on new parts Forum...

[Minh]

Hey Steve,

I am finding it to be a lot of work to locate the best price on NEW parts on the web. I do this becuase etailers are competing by price matching. Some etailers avoid the bullet by saying we don't have it in stock (ie Auto Parts Giant.com). That's why I tell them all or nothing. Hey, Parts America.com took my complete order.

Anyway, can we have like a watch dog Forum where only registered members can edit each and every string?

Here is what I am thinking...

The highest and 1st Post is/are the instructions...

The Subject would contain the particular "auto part" description.

Each Thread's body would pertain to what model/tear car, manufacturer, part number, price, vendor, vendor info (like HTTP, address, phone, etc..), when it was posted, and who posted it.

What do yo think?

I kind of undecided on the shipping charges since it depends so much on may factors...

[Minh]

Here is what I got to start with... Hey, feel free to make referenct to other models if possible, I am just going on what I have.

Roadster 5-Speed
Centerforce #359+0385
CLUTCH RELEASE THROWOUT BEARING
$18.99 www.nopionline.com

Roadster 2000
Bosch #215+0186
SU CARB OVERHAUL KIT
$12.99 www.nopionline.com

Roadster 2000
CAMSHAFT BEARING - STANDARD
Clevite #SH772S
3 Month Warranty
$16.99 www.autozone.com
Total Seal #1507M, #1507M25MM
$17.10 www.autopartsgiant.com

Roadster 2000
MAIN BEARINGS - STANDARD
Clevite #MS1108P
3 Month Warranty
$49.99 www.autozone.com
Total Seal #7138M, #7138M25MM, #7138M50MM, #7138M75MM, #7138M100MM
$84.57 www.autopartsgiant.com

Roadster 5-Speed
BCA #PB22
CLUTCH PILOT BUSHING
$1.08 www.rockauto.com

Roadster ? (definitely not for a U20)
Sealed Power #E577X
PISTON RINGS - PLAIN
$43.33 www.rockauto.com

Roadster 2000
Sealed Power #467019Y
PISTON PIN BUSHING
$17.80 www.rockauto.com

Roadster 2000
CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS - STANDARD
Sealed Power #467015CP, #467015CP25MM, #467015CP50MM, #467015CP75MM, #467015CP100MM
1 Year Limited Warranty
$29.66 www.autopartsgiant.com
Clevite #CB981P
$6.95 www.autozone.com

Roadster 2000
Fram #FV263
PCV VALVE
$1.62 www.rockauto.com

Roadster 2000
ACDelco Rapidfire #4-25164642
SPARK PLUGs
Set of 4; .035 gap
$3.85 www.rockauto.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #1710391
IGNITION POINTS
Lifetime Limited Warranty
$4.73 www.autopart.com

Roadster 2000
Bosch #03097
IGNITION CAP
$5.82 www.autopartsgiant.com

Roadster 2000
IGNITION ROTOR
Beck/Arnley #1731538
$2.05 www.autopart.com
Bosch #04182
$1.70 www.autopartsgiant.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #2010247
TEMP SEND SW
$11.20 www.autopart.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #0392008
FUEL PUMP GASKET
$.90 www.autopart.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #0390004
WATER OUTLET GASKET
Lifetime Limited Warranty
$0.65 www.autopart.com

Roadster 2000
OIL FILTER
Fram Extra Guard #PH3639
$4.99 www.partsamerica.com
Beck/Arnley #0418731
$4.68 www.autopart.com
WIX #51361
$4.45 www.rockauto.com

Powertorque #MU475321
CLUTCH REPLACEMENT Matched Set Kit
1 Year Replacement Warranty
$83.88 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 5-Speed
Perfection Hytest #RCF48582/RCF48532
CLUTCH DISC: Remanufactured. Diaph.; (8"-24T-1")
1 Year Limited Warranty
$21.99 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 5-Speed
Perfection Hytest #CA47532
CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE
6 Month Free Replacement Warranty
$31.99 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
GP Sorensen #215006S
CONDENSER: Premium
1 Year Replacement Warranty
$6.59 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #0321547
HEAD GASKET SET
$44.09 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
Dayco #81131
UPPER RADIATOR HOSE: Flex
1 Year Limited Warranty
$6.59 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
Beck/Arnley #145010850
FAN & ALTERNATOR V-BELT
1 Year Limited Warranty
$6.99 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
Niehoff #WA209
RADIO INTERFACE CAPACITOR
Condenser: Hitachi
$3.29 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
GP Sorensen #265003
ALTERNATOR VOLTAGE REGULATOR
1 Year Replacement Warranty
$34.99 www.partsamerica.com

GP Sorensen
ALTERNATOR DIODE NEGATIVE #AD1N / POSITIVE #AD1P
1 Year Replacement Warranty
$4.59 www.partsamerica.com

Roadster 2000
Niehoff #WA580
ALTERNATOR RECITIFIER: Assembly
$20.99 www.partsamerica.com

[Ldino21]

I have a question for Minh

Were you able to order all these parts and they had all of the correct parts on your order when you received them? Because many of us have been able to find parts like this on the web, the problem is when you order them, non of these places have them any more. Their computer shows a part number, etc. it will even take and charge your credit card but then it takes up to 2 months waiting for them to figure out they don't have the part in stock any more, and another 2 months trying to get them to refund your credit card.

There are many reputable Vendors who carry our parts (NOS) and can help you find the parts they dont have access to. Steve has a listing of them on his Vendor site.

If you can't go down to your local neighborhood Import auto part shop and find any of these parts, your are not going to find them online, because 99.999% of those guys are buying them direct from the big suppliers you listed.

I have 2 big import shops here in Fresno that I always go to first to see if they have a particular part, ones a VW specialty import Shop, that occasionally has something I need and the other is a Beck/Arnley distributor. If they don't have it you are going to have a hard time finding it.

But then you go and call one of our vendors like Dean @ Fairlady Products, Ross @ Sports Imports, or Stan and they are going to have it sitting on a shelve and shipped out to you within the next couple days. Many us guys who have been on this list numerous years have already gone through all the troubles your going thru. Take my word for it, trust the our Vendors, you are going to get the right part, at a fair price, and excellent advice if you need it also.

Lou Smaldino
69-2000
66-1600

[S Allen]

Minh,

I am all for saving a buck or two when I can but we are such a small number of folks and we should really support the vendor's when we can. Lou is right about the problems with ordering parts online. Sometimes they even list the wrong part but you do not find that out until they ship it --and then you have to go through the hassle of returning it. I guess maybe we could have an alternate resources topic where you could post information you know is valid but I really do not want to get into under cutting the vendor's as they provide such relaible service. Any one else have any thoughts on this? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

Steve

[Minh]

I see your point about the vendors, and I understand. I done business with both Dean and Rod. Most of the orders have been with EBay. I intend to visit Mike Kerr more often once the car is running.

Well I have not order every single item on the list. I did my orders by restoration phases. Right now it is the block and clutch phase.

Parts America had all I wanted to order; except for the Bosch SU kit I was able to get everything.

I only had the problem with the Fram air filter so far which was a pickup item at the local Kragen, and I returned it.

As to what I get when it arrives I will know within a week because it will be arriving from various locations across the country in 4 different shipments.

They order and charge me the regular price initially and automatically refund credit me for every verified price. I have gotten 3 credit transactions to date. I expected my final cost to me to be about $292 when all said and done.

Here is the order:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part # Description QTY Price
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAR0390004 039-0004 BECK/ARNLEY THERMOSTA 1 $1.09
BAR0392008 039-2008 BECK/ARNLEY FUEL PUMP 1 $2.09
BOS03097 Dist Cap 1 $9.99
BOS04182 Ign Rotor 1 $2.99
BAR1710391 171-0391 BECK/ARNLEY IGNITION 1 $8.49
WIX51361 FILTER 1 $7.59
SEA7138M Main Bearing Se 1 $150.99
GPS215006S IGNITION CONDENSER 1 $5.99
GPS205010S IGNITION POINT SET 1 $6.99
phtCA47532 CLUTCH PLATE ASSY 1 $32.99
ZTRRCF48582 RCF48582/RCF48532 CLUTCH PLATE 1 $21.99
DAY81131 FLEX RAD HOSE 1 $6.59
BAR145010850 V-BELT 1 $7.99
FRACA352 FRAM AIR FILTER 1 $5.99
FRAFV263 FV263DP/FV233DP FRAM PCV VALVE 1 $2.99
SEAE577X Economy Piston 1 $50.99
========================================================================
Subtotal $ 325.74
Tax $ 20.23
Shipping and Handling $ 32.59
Total Order Amount $ 378.56

[Ldino21]

Keep in touch, let us know how it goes, I am crossing my fingers for you that they are all Roadster parts, and not 510 ones?

Good Luck

Lou

[Minh]

I have recieved the entire order along with price match credits to my credit card.

Of what was ordered only the air filter did not fit. I was able to the part from Mike Kerr.

The GP Sorenson ignition condensor I can not say it works until I get the opportunity to turn it over.

BTW: The GP Sorenson ignition point is far better than Beck/Arnley's. I can send a picture just ask.

The only screw up was in my favor. They gave me the GP Sorenson Cap ad Rotor by accident. So, I got the the Bosch set and the GP Sorenson too.

I will make anr order on other parts next monch. I'll post if anyone asks.

Thanks for the prayers...

[Minh]

I got a problem...

I ordered some piston rings from Federal Mogul (Sealed Power E577X).

The rings are the right bore, but the ring heights are 2mm, 2.5mm, and 4mm.

The 2.5mm is TOO big. The correct height is supposed to be 2mm on the U20.

I called Total Seal, (625) 587-7400, and order only just the center gapless ring. The 4 2mm gapless rings are $69 for the gapless and $16 for conventional. FYI: The entire set is $142 for gapless and $50 for conventional.