Parts prices for Amercian cars?
Discussion
Parts are readily available and if not already in the country, places like Rock Auto in the states ship quickly and aren't too costly at all. The only problem that can arrive is duty when it lands here.
Had a third gen on the family drive for over 10 years, always been cheaper than any of the other motors on it.
Had a third gen on the family drive for over 10 years, always been cheaper than any of the other motors on it.
This should be a sticky!
No parts are not especially expensive and there are plentiful suppliers both in the UK and the USA. Don't let it put you off and don't let anyone talk you into thinking American cars are hard to get parts for. The internet is a wonderful place!
I personally buy direct from the States and in general I find this a lot cheaper and easier. I use www.rockauto.com for just about everything and they've got a huge inventory of parts. You can get just about anything. Delivery is usually around 48 hours and they charge you VAT on checkout so no nasty surprises when the parts arrive in terms of extra charges.
Oh and another tip, I generally opt for priority shipping because it's only a few dollars more and comes via Fed-Ex, basic shipping arrives via Parcel Force and I've been ripped off by them in the past for 'handling fees'.
Another good American supplier is modern day muscle. They stock a lot of external body trim and interior trim parts which are hard to find elsewhere.
No parts are not especially expensive and there are plentiful suppliers both in the UK and the USA. Don't let it put you off and don't let anyone talk you into thinking American cars are hard to get parts for. The internet is a wonderful place!
I personally buy direct from the States and in general I find this a lot cheaper and easier. I use www.rockauto.com for just about everything and they've got a huge inventory of parts. You can get just about anything. Delivery is usually around 48 hours and they charge you VAT on checkout so no nasty surprises when the parts arrive in terms of extra charges.
Oh and another tip, I generally opt for priority shipping because it's only a few dollars more and comes via Fed-Ex, basic shipping arrives via Parcel Force and I've been ripped off by them in the past for 'handling fees'.
Another good American supplier is modern day muscle. They stock a lot of external body trim and interior trim parts which are hard to find elsewhere.
In general, running an American car is much cheaper than running a European car. Oil filters are less than a tenner. You can buy a 2for life" K&N air filter for about £40 and a sepentine belt, should you ever need one is £30. No cam belts to change, no complex engineering, just oil and coolant changes like the good old days. If you need big panels, there are plenty of guys who can ship them cheaper but that's mainly where the expense lies - in the shipping not the cost of the panel.
The other good thing about American cars is that they are designed to be unbolted and taken apart so everything can be got at easily.
The other good thing about American cars is that they are designed to be unbolted and taken apart so everything can be got at easily.
When I bought my truck ('88 Ranger V6) I hadn't owned anything that modern before and it was a whole new experience. I needed to learn about it and find cheap parts. There are a massive amount of forums dedicated to Yank motors, many huge and really specialised - I soon found all I needed to know. As it turned out all I've spent in the last year has been about a hundred quid; an O2 sensor, temp' sender, temp sensor, plugs, and an OMP air filter. Most of it from Rockauto in the states and it arrived within the week...
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