Are CAPA Certified Parts Better than OEM Replacement Parts?
Filed under: Aftermarket Parts, Auto Parts, CAPA Certified Parts, Ford, Headlamps, Original Equipment (OEM), Recalls
I recently visited an auto parts website called partstrain.com to shop for replacement headlight assemblies. I have a 1997 Ford Taurus with the nagging oxidation problem on the plastic headlight lens that Ford has allowed to continue for years. I located the assemblies for $65.15 each and was going to make the purchase. That’s when I noticed that they also listed the same part, from the same aftermarket manufacturer, with a CAPA statement in the description. The price for this part was $125.00 each. The only difference I could find in the descriptions was a letter “Q” at the end of the Sku number. All other numbers were the same.
I entered into a live chat session with their customer service and asked for the difference between the two items. The representative would not say that the CAPA part was made better or contained higher quality material. He would only say that either part would be a perfect fit. He would not say why the so called CAPA part had a price that was double the other part.
Is it common for the CAPA parts to cost so much more? Would the CAPA part eventually cloud over like the original factory part did? Or, do you think that this site may be using the CAPA name to collect an additional 100% profit on their parts? If the CAPA parts really are so superior, I would shell out the extra to keep my family safe at night.
Thank you for your time. I would appreciate your opinion.
Don
Cincinnati, OH
Are Aftermarket Parts Installed With Auto Manufacturer’s Approval?
Filed under: Aftermarket Parts, Auto Dealerships, Auto Manufacturers, Kentucky, Original Equipment (OEM), Recalls, State Specific Information, Toyota, Wheel Alignment
I have an older Toyota pickup that has served me well for more than a few years. As a good number of other Toyota pickup owners were, I was notified of a pending recall on some steering components and took her in for service. As the service department at the dealership went to work removing the defective parts, excessive wear was found on adjoining front suspension parts. I was told these parts had to be replaced because movement in these joints would prevent the wheels from aligning properly.
I wasn’t particularly surprised to hear the bad news because the bill always seems to grow a lot bigger before a job at the dealership is complete. At least that has been my experience. As a result, I don’t usually go back for service after buying a new vehicle unless the vehicle is under warranty or there are no other alternatives.
At first, I thought the dealership was conning me and arbitrarily adding parts to the invoice I didn’t need. I changed my mind, though, when the service manager volunteered to take me to the back where the truck sat on a lift and show me the needed parts that hadn’t yet been removed. Then came the shocker.
To get the job completed in the least amount of time, the service manager suggested I use off-brand parts rather than Toyota parts. While I’m content to use repair shops other than those in Toyota dealerships, I’ve never used anything other than Toyota parts, even on something as mundane as an oil filter.
As foolish as it sounds, the dealership didn’t have original equipment replacement parts in stock. To get the parts I needed would require special ordering them from the nearest Toyota distribution center and waiting at least 24 hours for their arrival. After the parts had been received, the truck would be worked back into the technician’s schedule for completion. This would add a couple of days of downtime and a couple of hundred dollars of additional costs to the repair.
Like most people probably would have done, I elected to accept parts that were located at a nearby NAPA store. I saved some money and got my truck back the same day. All seems well.
After thinking about it, it seems odd to me that Toyota or any other manufacturer would allow dealers to sell and install parts that they didn’t manufacture onto cars and trucks at their dealerships. So I ask (more for curiosity than anything else), Is this practice done with or without the approval of auto manufacturers?
William
Paris, KY
Insurance Companies Rated by Auto Body Repair Shops
Filed under: 21st Century, AIG, Allstate, American Family, Farmers, GMAC, Insurance Companies, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Original Equipment (OEM), Progressive, State Farm, USAA
I live in Ohio where we are required by law to carry auto insurance. Since I am not foolish enough to believe that all insurance companies are cut from the same cloth, I was wondering which particular insurance companies I should stay away from when I shop for cheaper auto insurance, and which companies stand out as being the best?
Ron
Akron, Ohio
Some Auto Dealers Suggest More Service Than Cars Need
Filed under: Auto Dealerships, Auto Manufacturers, Auto Parts, Battery, Kentucky, Toyota
My grandmother bought a new car last year. She doesn’t drive it much and the car dealership where she bought it keeps sending letters that say she is past due for service. Grams wants to keep the car dependable and running good, but if she does everything they say it could cost hundreds of dollars that she doesn’t have. Worse, it is worrying her day and night because when I called, the man there told me the warranty wouldn’t pay for the service procedures in the reminders she had received.
The car is a Toyota Corolla. As of right now it has 3,873 miles showing on the little thingy on the dash that keeps track of mileage. So far Grams has received six letters and another postcard or two. Some of the things they say needs done are brake service / inspection, Rotate and Electronically Balance Tires, 4 Wheel Alignment, Lube Oil and Filter Change, Fuel Injection Service, Battery Flush, and some other stuff that I can’t remember right now.
I talked Grams into buying this car and now I feel guilty about how much it looks like she is going to be spending on trips to the service department. She was happier with her old Ford Taurus, and at least it would start all the time. The Toyota has had to be jump started twice. She had to pay for that too, both times, because the warranty wouldn’t cover it!
Does this car need all of the services the dealer says it does, or is the car lot trying to pull one over on us? If it really does need this stuff, how much should it cost?
Cindy
Lexington, KY
Putting a Shine on Dulled Aluminum Car Wheels
Filed under: Auto Detailing, Original Equipment (OEM), Reconditioned, Wheel Alignment, Wheels
I have a well-kept older sports car that is all dressed out with custom accessories and a nice set of factory aluminum wheels. This car is a real head-turner and loads of fun to drive. As usual I was driving way too fast on some mountainous roads and not paying close enough attention, when without warning I hit a pothole that nearly made the false teeth fall out of my mouth. The impact was so hard that it ruined both the tire and wheel on the right front of the car. I think there are probably some other damaged parts as well, but nothing too serious - at least I hope not.
I’m not going to turn this claim in to my insurance company because I don’t want my insurance rates to go up. The tires were weather-cracked and I was planning on replacing them with new ones anyway, so I was prepared for that expense.
As for the wheel, I can save quite a bit of money if I buy a reconditioned wheel instead of a brand new aluminum wheel from a dealer. The company says the reconditioned wheel will be as shiny as a new one, but that’s where I have a problem. If the new wheel is really shiny, it will probably stand out like a sore thumb against the dulled aluminum wheels on the rest of the car. What can I do to make dulled aluminum wheels shiny like new or reconditioned wheels?
Chuck
Charlotte, NC
New, Used or Aftermarket Auto Parts?
Filed under: Aftermarket Parts, Auto Parts, Bumpers, CAPA Certified Parts, Original Equipment (OEM), Salvage Parts, Toyota
In a recent auto accident I damaged the front bumper on my Toyota. I went to an auto body repair shop near my home in Cincinnati, Ohio that is supposed to be very good at auto collision repair, but they didn’t want to fix the damaged bumper. They suggested I use an aftermarket part to repair my car because it would be cheaper.
When I looked on the Internet to learn more about aftermarket parts, I realized very quickly that an aftermarket part, especially a bumper, might not be the best choice for me. Since there is only about $50 difference in the price between aftermarket parts and genuine Toyota parts needed for this repair, I’m leaning on the side of genuine Toyota parts.
Like most other people, I want replacement auto parts that fit like they’re supposed to and protect me should I get into another auto accident. From what I’ve read, there is some question if aftermarket parts can do that as well as genuine Toyota parts.
Another auto body shop just across the river from Cincinnati in Kentucky suggested I consider CAPA certified parts for my car. The guy said CAPA parts are tested and approved. Another secondary alternative he suggested was getting a used part from a wrecked Toyota in an auto salvage yard.
There are too many choices and I am confused. My Toyota is not a new car, so I’m not going to be overly fussy. But, I don’t want my safety compromised, especially over $50. Straight up, would you suggest new Toyota parts, salvage parts, CAPA certified parts or regular aftermarket parts for the repairs?
Jason
Cincinnati, Ohio