Automotive Insider

Discover The Truth About OEM Auto Parts

Not all auto parts are created equal. You might say, “Well, any part I buy should fit in my car just the same as another, right?” That may not always be the case. Here are some things you may need to know before deciding to buy parts from an aftermarket manufacturer or an OEM.

An OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, is a company that produces auto parts to the exact specifications of the carmaker—they are parts you would find at the dealer. Most automobile companies don’t actually produce the parts that make their vehicles run; the manufacturing of these parts is often outsourced to other companies, even though the auto company’s name may be on the box.

From there, the parts manufacturers are able to sell these parts to other wholesale distributors, who then put their own name on the box. Even though it is the same part produced in the same factory, the price of the secondary wholesaler’s part may be up to 70% cheaper than the exact same part with the auto company’s name on it. A little confusing, huh?

So why is it important to ensure that the replacement parts are OEM and not just any aftermarket product? Because OEM parts are manufactured to your automobile’s exact specifications. A non-OEM part is more than likely designed for a more universal application—it’s not fabricated to fit your car specifically, but fabricated to fit as many cars as possible. If you buy a non-OEM part, you may be purchasing an inferior part, and it may require modification when installed.

If you plan to install and OEM part yourself, read about it as much as possible in your car’s owner manual before installing. This may provide you with some useful information.

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Best Used Honda Models And Years

Hondas have the reputation of being dependable, practical, low-maintenance vehicles, and I’ve found nothing to dispute this. All models and years seem to be ranked winners of one kind or another in their respective categories.

Still, even some Hondas are better than others. The biggest headaches with Accords and Civics are transmission and car stereo problems, so it’s best to avoid the years when these were at their worst, and zero in on the years and models when these issues were least evident.

If you want to spend the money for a later model Accord, the 2005-2007 model years are your best bet and have received the fewest complaints. Used cars Toronto and used cars Ottawa are two of many great online resources for purchasing used Accords. If you want an older, more affordable model, Accords built from 1994-1997 is a good choice with above-average reliability when they have been well-maintained.

Civics, however, receive half as many complaints as Accords, and they cost less too. Nonetheless, some Civics also has transmission and car stereo problems. As with Accords, the older Civics is a good choice for those on a budget, especially those built between 1989 and 1999. If you want a later model, check out the 2003 or 2007.

Even with transmission and car stereo problems, the Honda Civic still comes up a winner again and again in numerous “best used cars” reports. And for a virtually problem-free Civic, the hybrids are an excellent choice.

The Honda Odyssey minivan gets half as many complaints as the Civic, although some model years had a few transmission problems (2002, 2003), A/C and heater issues (2005), or steering problems (2006).

Even so, these minivans are well-built and develop few problems overall. If you want a later model, look for either a 2004 or 2008. If you don’t mind an older model, the 1995, 1998 and 2001 are remarkably problem-free and, if cared for, age very well.

Any of the old Honda Preludes is also a good choice – if you can find one. I’ve heard that Honda Preludes last forever. The “worst” Prelude, according to used car dealerships, was the 1992 model with a grand total of 20 complaints. Pilots also have few problems overall, especially those built in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.

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Where To Find Performance Auto Parts

Driving around town and flipping through auto parts catalogs to find those performance parts you need is time consuming. If you want to spend more time cranking ratchets and less time waiting for your parts to arrive, the web is the best place to find the parts you need.

-Jegs, one of the more well established parts providers in the United States, has a website that is both intuitive and thorough. You can search for parts by keyword, part number, or by vehicle make and model. You can refine the search by brand and price range. They carry all major manufacturers of after-market parts and accessories. The right sidebar provides links to current discounts and savings, forms to ask technical questions, and wholesale shipping options.

Summit Racing Equipment, another auto parts provider that’s been around a while, offers similar ease-of-use, either by specific part or by make and model. Summit has a more specific refine option, as it allows you to search for parts not just by brand and price range, but by engine size as well. Summit offers similar access to technical advice, but also has an FAQ list it suggests you look over before sending questions.

-Performance Parts Wholesale also offers search options similar to Summit and Jegs, but does not offer the same options to refine your initial search. What Performance Parts does do that the other two do not is list all parts related to the part you are searching for. Performance also offers the option of speaking to a tech over the phone.

Wherever you buy your car parts, make sure that you know the return policy. You don’t want to get stuck paying for a dud that you can’t ship back to the store.

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Where to Find Wholesale Auto Parts

You don’t need to own your own auto parts shop to get a deal on parts. You don’t even need to be a gear head with all the connections; there are plenty of places on the web that offer auto parts to consumers for wholesale prices.

-AutohausAZ is an auto parts wholesaler out of Arizona that has a fairly easy to search database. For most parts, they only carry one brand, so shopping for the best price is cut short, but they do offer free ground shipping through UPS for orders over $50.

-Car Parts Wholesale has a very easy-to-use search tool that lists parts alphabetically, offers manufacturer’s specs, provides condition of the part (new, reconditioned, etc.) and even gives an estimate of how long it should take to install the part. Search can be refined by brand, price range, and condition. The site banner offers Bill Me Later payment options, a toll free number and the option of live chat support.

Auto Parts Warehouse provides similar ease of use in searching for parts, in the Car Parts Wholesale category. Manufacturer specs are listed when available; you can refine the search by brand, price and condition. When searching for the particular part, you can either use a grid of categories with pictures included, or view a full, alphabetical list. Auto Parts Warehouse also has a toll-free number, live chat, and order/return information clearly labeled on the homepage.

Of the three sites, Car Parts Wholesale offers the largest variety, but Auto Parts Warehouse offers more parts at lower prices. Shopping for wholesale auto parts can save you money, but be sure to have a Tax ID number on hand, or an intent to own a business before buying wholesale. Some companies may sell to you without the proper qualifications, but not all. Just be prepared.

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The Best Used Cars Under $2,000

Today, many are opting to purchase used cars for transportation. The economy and job market has forced many people to reconsider how they spend their money. Often, it is no longer feasible to finance a $20,000 or more vehicle. Used cars can be reliable and inexpensive, but only if the purchaser has a good understanding of the principles behind purchasing a used vehicle. Finding a good car under $2000.00 is not a difficult as one may think.

A used car must be a well-maintained car. In many cases, used vehicles under $2000 have a lot of mileage on them. If the car was properly maintained, this shouldn’t be a problem. Whenever possible, request maintenance records for the car. Timely oil changes, good tire care and needed tune-ups will help ensure the vehicle will continue running.

Second, be overly critical of the appearance of the vehicle. This can be another way to determine how well maintained the car is and if it has been in any accidents. Check the paint job, the tires and upholstery not only for signs of wear, but also for signs of replacement. A new paint job or fresh upholstery may point to a previous accident or other problem.

Because the used car market is so fluid, it is difficult to create a list of vehicles to look for.  Instead, below is a list of makes and models that are generally considered to be good buys.

1. Honda Accord (late 1990’s) – Honda Accords are well known for their ability to stand the test of time. In fact, statistically speaking there are more used Honda’s driving around today than any other brand. These cars are well built, suffer from few ‘major’ issues, are classically designed and typically relatively fuel efficient for an older car.
2. Ford Ranger (approximately 2000) – The Ford Ranger may not be as well known as its big brother the F-150, but it is simply a great choice for a used vehicle. Tough and rugged, the Ranger is known for its inexpensive replacement parts. It is considered to be one of the easiest cars to work on, making necessary repairs less expensive.
3. Subaru Impreza (2000 – 2002) – This is a fun car with the ability to perform well in poor driving conditions such as snow or heavy rain. It can be expensive to repair but, with regular maintenance, is known for its ability to go the distance.
4. Hyundai Accent (2000) – One of the best little cars out there, many come with a 10 year warranty on their powertrain. Consumer reports state that the Hyundai Accent is built to last and with regular maintenance is fully efficient as well!

No matter which used vehicle you choose, be sure to do your due diligence and thoroughly review the vehicles history. Regular maintenance is critical for older vehicles, so be sure the car was maintained. Used cars under $2000 can be safe, fun and efficient.

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