Overhaulin'

Do you know of a website where i could buy car parts for CHEAP!?

Im looking for car parts. In particular im looking for the following: for a 1990 Miata Belts, Shocks and struts, Break pads... any good websites that are cheap and reliable?? and even possibly a store that i could go to im located in San Diego.

Public Comments

1. This site may not have everything, but they are cheap and deliver quickly: http://www.rpru.com/ Good luck. For most parts, I go to local part stores like Auto Zone or Kragen, or NAPA. They price competitively.
2. Yup ---- Stop by a used auto dealer.... Your going to have to make friends... But ask him if he can order the car parts with his dealers discount.... That's how I get ALL my car parts.... A set of brake parts on a vehicle I owned had a parts cost of $235... All the big auto parts places wanted this.... I had my dealer buddy get them delivered to his shop for $165... His costs.... All I have to do is a favor for him now and then.... Take his trash out ( I have a dumpster at my business) - Call the DMV for him and get stuck on hold for 35 minutes to get in touch with a clerk to handle a problem, etc, etc, etc...... Its real good to have a friend in the car business... I never pay retail for parts.....
3. For some parts, just use a local parts store. Once you start dealing with someone like Miata Mania the price doubles, just because it is a Miata. Get to know your parts interchange, when going to a salvage yard, it helps to know that a different car part will work (car-part.com can help on this). Because the minute Miata comes out of your mouth some salvage yards throw a couple more dollars on to the price. For a lot of parts, e-bay is a good place to shop. Prices there can cover a wide spectrum too. Use the internet to check prices for parts with the big chains, then try a local dealer that is independent. Some things you need a local contact for, and a good to great parts person. Find one, it is worth the few extra dollars when you need an o-ring and not a gasket set for an injector to give one example. On some things, plan ahead so you can find the best deal. I start shopping about one year to six months in advance for some items. Like light weight flywheels and clutch kits (good investment). On others I just know a good deal when I see it and buy the part before it is needed (shocks for example). Owning two 90 models that I hope to see out live me, it pays to know what work will need to be done and plan on getting it done before it is in failure mode. Like right now, I am looking for a reasonable price for new rims (stock 15"). I might end up getting them one at a time if I have too, but for now I do a lot of price checking and watching.
4. Those parts are all easy to find. For belts, just go to NAPA Auto Parts in San Diego or any Autozone. For break pads, the BEST pads for daily driving are still Mazda OEM pads, and you can ask for the Value Pad set. You can find them online pretty cheaply at http://www.finishlineperformance.com. If you intend to purchase a LOT of parts in the future, consider joining the SanDiegoMiataClub.org for a few dollars. Members receive discounts directly from specific San Diego Mazda dealerships, as well as Miata-specific techs in the area. If you're looking for upgrade parts, consider http://www.good-win-racing.com. Goodwin Racing is right in Kearny Mesa and he's an avid Miata enthusiast.