Napa vs. Autozone
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by JD'S WHITE 93
I don't have the patience to deal with the Autozone stores around here. The problem I have with Autozone are the employees, I do not want to buy parts for my cars from someone who has no idea what they are selling. They are absolutely clueless. I had the Corvette out a couple of years ago on a Sunday and it popped the upper radiator hose. The small hose that goes from the radiator to the Tee fitting. The Corvette did this right in front of Autozone. I go in and ask for a hose and what a suprise, they didn't have one. I asked to see their radiator hoses and the guy looks at me as serious as can be and says what for ?? I told him I would find something that would be close enough. I go back and start looking through the hoses and find one about three feet too long but the one end is perfect. I bring it up to the counter to buy it and the guy looks at me again and says that's not going to work. He punches the number in the computer and tells me it's for a Chrysler. I'm thinking no **** genious I was going to cut the end off of it and use just the end. All I wanted to do was avoid paying for a tow truck over a $15.00 hose. Anyways I got the hose on
and got the car home but good grief. The store manager suggested I leave the car in the parking lot until Monday when they could call and see if they can get the correct hose. What a bunch of idiots.
and got the car home but good grief. The store manager suggested I leave the car in the parking lot until Monday when they could call and see if they can get the correct hose. What a bunch of idiots.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Another point in Auto Zone's favor (other than lower prices on identical merchandise) is they have a national computer network. If you're 1000 miles from home you can get instant warrantee without reciepts, they just pull up your phone number and there it is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
I've had mostly bad experiences with autozone, their warranties are good, but I've never had to return so many bum parts I helped change the alternator on a buddies '86 Iroc three times before we finally went somewhere else to get one, to my knowledge it's the same one that is in there to this day (8 years later)
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by eptaylor
The CarQuest in Layton, UT is the most professional outfit in my area.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
Carquest is my preferred choice. Their folks are pretty knowledgable. Recently I went to an Autozone and told the the 17 y/o behind the counter that I needed a taillight bulb for a '90 Corvette. He paused and asked "who makes a Corvette." Seriously, I'm not joking.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by eptaylor
The CarQuest in Layton, UT is the most professional outfit in my area.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
Carquest is my preferred choice. Good quality stuff at decent prices. Their folks are pretty knowledgable to boot. Recently I went to an Autozone and told the the 17 y/o behind the counter that I needed a taillight bulb for a '90 Corvette. He paused and asked "who makes a Corvette." Seriously, I'm not joking.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by eptaylor
The CarQuest in Layton, UT is the most professional outfit in my area.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
I always get good service and the folks know something. Good place.
Carquest is my preferred choice. Good quality stuff at decent prices. Their folks are pretty knowledgable to boot. Recently I went to an Autozone and told the the 17 y/o behind the counter that I needed a taillight bulb for a '90 Corvette. He paused and asked "who makes a Corvette." Seriously, I'm not joking.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Taylosville Utah
Napa all the way. I refuse to buy anything from autozone after a lot of problems. 4, thats right 4 fuel punps in my buddy's truck in less than 6 months. I won't even install parts for people from autozone
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by importkiller92
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by eschoendorff
Oops... forgot about CarQuest. We have one about 12 miles away... they're more expensive, but generally have good stuff (alot like NAPA).
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Just be sure you get a lifetime warranty for an alternator for a C4!
A big problem with corvettes, they sit a lot. This means the battery is usually low when you take it out. The alternator works especially hard. Slow speeds, poor circulation under the hood just adds to heat build-up in the regulator. Ask any auto electric shop, they used to say 75K miles was good for any late 80's GM alternator in a front driver. Vetts and F-bodies are in the same boat, no engine driven fan.
In the 12 years I've owned my 87 it has had 4 alternators. 1 AC Delco rebuilt, lasted long enough to get out of warranty. The car sat up while I was in Korea, it didn't make it through the following summer. 1 Pep Boys rebuilt. It made it 4 or 5 years. I was driving it all the time. 2 Pep Boys brand new. When I took in my warranty for the rebuild I got a brand new unit. I guess it lasted about 3 years. I was working out of town when it went out. Took in to the nearest Pep Boys store; the counter manager said "it's one of ours, give him a new one if we have it"
I try and keep my battery charged. A battery tender might go a long way to reducing alternator problems for a lot of people.
JS
A big problem with corvettes, they sit a lot. This means the battery is usually low when you take it out. The alternator works especially hard. Slow speeds, poor circulation under the hood just adds to heat build-up in the regulator. Ask any auto electric shop, they used to say 75K miles was good for any late 80's GM alternator in a front driver. Vetts and F-bodies are in the same boat, no engine driven fan.
In the 12 years I've owned my 87 it has had 4 alternators. 1 AC Delco rebuilt, lasted long enough to get out of warranty. The car sat up while I was in Korea, it didn't make it through the following summer. 1 Pep Boys rebuilt. It made it 4 or 5 years. I was driving it all the time. 2 Pep Boys brand new. When I took in my warranty for the rebuild I got a brand new unit. I guess it lasted about 3 years. I was working out of town when it went out. Took in to the nearest Pep Boys store; the counter manager said "it's one of ours, give him a new one if we have it"
I try and keep my battery charged. A battery tender might go a long way to reducing alternator problems for a lot of people.
JS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
Totally true, I'm sure just about everyone here has had an experience where they've either let the vette sit or been working on it exstensively and had to buy/recharge a battery before they could give it a go, I usually check the battery before I try to crank it at all anymore after its sat a couple of days.
Originally Posted by jsinga
Just be sure you get a lifetime warranty for an alternator for a C4!
A big problem with corvettes, they sit a lot. This means the battery is usually low when you take it out. The alternator works especially hard. Slow speeds, poor circulation under the hood just adds to heat build-up in the regulator. Ask any auto electric shop, they used to say 75K miles was good for any late 80's GM alternator in a front driver. Vetts and F-bodies are in the same boat, no engine driven fan.
In the 12 years I've owned my 87 it has had 4 alternators. 1 AC Delco rebuilt, lasted long enough to get out of warranty. The car sat up while I was in Korea, it didn't make it through the following summer. 1 Pep Boys rebuilt. It made it 4 or 5 years. I was driving it all the time. 2 Pep Boys brand new. When I took in my warranty for the rebuild I got a brand new unit. I guess it lasted about 3 years. I was working out of town when it went out. Took in to the nearest Pep Boys store; the counter manager said "it's one of ours, give him a new one if we have it"
I try and keep my battery charged. A battery tender might go a long way to reducing alternator problems for a lot of people.
JS
A big problem with corvettes, they sit a lot. This means the battery is usually low when you take it out. The alternator works especially hard. Slow speeds, poor circulation under the hood just adds to heat build-up in the regulator. Ask any auto electric shop, they used to say 75K miles was good for any late 80's GM alternator in a front driver. Vetts and F-bodies are in the same boat, no engine driven fan.
In the 12 years I've owned my 87 it has had 4 alternators. 1 AC Delco rebuilt, lasted long enough to get out of warranty. The car sat up while I was in Korea, it didn't make it through the following summer. 1 Pep Boys rebuilt. It made it 4 or 5 years. I was driving it all the time. 2 Pep Boys brand new. When I took in my warranty for the rebuild I got a brand new unit. I guess it lasted about 3 years. I was working out of town when it went out. Took in to the nearest Pep Boys store; the counter manager said "it's one of ours, give him a new one if we have it"
I try and keep my battery charged. A battery tender might go a long way to reducing alternator problems for a lot of people.
JS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
Lol that's where I got mine, I love harbor freight. If someone doesn't have a harbor freight in their area there is probably something similar like a Steve's Wholesale Tool
Originally Posted by onedef92
Get a battery trickle charger from Harbor Freight Tools. Best $10 I ever spent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by onedef92
Get a battery trickle charger from Harbor Freight Tools. Best $10 I ever spent.
Go here:
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/start.do
and in the upper right hand corner you will be able to click on a link to sign yourself up for email sales and coupons. Just be careful what you buy!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I use NAPA more than most stores in the area, but I use them all from time to time. To me it just comes down to what I'm buying as to where I get it. For some things, only OEM will do. For other parts, it's brand preference and who carries it. One good thing about Autozone is that they carry Felpro gaskets, my favorite for most things. They also have Clevite bearings and other brands I trust for critical parts. They also have some stuff I wouldn't touch with a 10 ft. pole. I get my oil filters at Advance because I like the Purolator Pure One, air and fuel filters at NAPA because I like their Gold line for those. Carquest and O'Reillys are also good parts stores in this area. And yes, the help at a store matters too. The guys at the NAPA branch I frequent take good care of me, generally know their stuff and give me the garage discount. Our Autozone also has some very good folks but they also have a couple that I won't even let wait on me. 