pretty self explanitory, wondering if you guys know what to look for from parts like alternators, clutches, exhaust etc.

 

Buy alternator off autozone. Lifetime warranty. About the rest I don not know

 

what to look for? warranty.

so when thing break do you want to go to a brick and mortar store to swap a new part or can you wait to ship the defective part back and wait for another one to be mailed out?

exhaust is usually ok online..same for clutches.

 

Danny has it pretty much summed up.

I bought my last clutch online. I also bought my window regulators online. I bought a lot of my mods online and other misc items (used) from members of this board. For example, you won't be able to buy a Warpspeed y-pipe at Autozone or Pep Boys.

I buy most stuff from NAPA because they are close, they know me and the prices are decent. They can also get almost any part in one day if it's not in stock.

 

it depends.....if buying from a reputable seller, there should be not major problems, anyone else is a gamble, you decide if its worth the hassle to you.

 

Yes everything on ebay is good as long as the product is 100% authentic always read before u buy,If thiers something wrong,mising parts u can always get ur money back with paypal,EBAY is highly organzied,Ur money is safer than a unknown site.

 

i bought exhaust stuff from Ebay with no problems. same as stuff like a harness bar, corner lights, spark plugs, oil filters, lowering springs. shocks/struts, etc. i bought a suspension pack for 3rd gens with control arms, tie rods, ball joints, etc. for $100 with bushings and again no problems

only time i got screwed over was a few years ago i was looking for Tokico and Koni struts, places said "100% guaranteed in-stock" so i paid and whatnot, and a week later got a email "sorry, this item is no longer available from the manufacturer". this happened with at least 5 sellers, and almost all times it took them a week or two to refund the money.

 

They supply a lot of the dealerships around here.

 

I've bought plenty of good car parts through ebay sellers and a few duds. Recently I bought a Bosch MAF sensor for my Volvo and the seller sent a used Bosch sensor that didn't even work. The MAF sensor was supposed to be new in the box but in the end the refunded all my money including return shipping charges.

 

I personally love ebay. YOu just have to be careful what kind of items you buy. If you buy a name brand item then there should not be any problems. When you start getting into the dirt cheap chinese brands then you can get into trouble. If you know what you want then usually you can get it cheaper on ebay but like I said, if you dont know what you want you can be swayed by the pricing

 

So it seems like parts that aren't vital for the car to run properly can be bought on ebay without worry, everything else I should go to the parts store?

 

if you know what you're getting....say NGK plugs then you're fine with online.

if you have some XYZ brand that's cheaper than any price that you seen anywhere then be careful...you get what you pay for.

 

I've been there before, I'm a pretty big newb with cars and working on them, so I'm learning as I go what brands are good and what you can get away with

 

I agree with other. Just read before you buy. Know what you are buying and if will fit your car and always ask the seller question if you are unsure. Things like alternators, brake pads etc i usually just buy from autozone or a local store though but as far as mods and aftermarket parts i get online.