I've been watching Scotty's videos on YouTube that warn not to buy aftermarket parts. I ignored that with my O2 sensor because it's easy to change out if I get a bad cheap knockoff aftermarket sensor but I can't chance that on suspension parts for safety reasons nor can I for things like head gaskets that require extensive work to replace. Any recommendations on good websites to buy good OEM parts from for things that either require lengthy replacement processes or safety depends on? Are there some I should avoid? What about like Rock Auto , parts geek, 1A Auto, TRQ or cart parts.com? Are they good at supplying reliable American made parts rather than cheap knockoff Chinese parts?
I've bought quite a bit through rockauto.com for years and it's worked out well. Sometimes they'll have great deals on closeouts. You have to watch the shipping costs though, especially if ordering parts coming from different warehouses. (Always search for a 5% off coupon code when ordering since rockauto.com usually has one active at any given time.)
I’ve never had issues with shipping costs from Rockauto.
Shipping costs can quickly add up if ordering multiple items that are not coming from the same warehouse.
I often use RockAuto for name brand after market parts that are often the manufactures of the OEM (ex: Denso).
I also use Amazon.com. The official Amazon.com, not the third party companies that use Amazon.com as a storefront, unless I throughly vet them.
And of course there is the dealer is probably the best source, but most expensive. Cross shop the dealers, because often times, some dealers might be cheaper than others.
The only on out of your list that I don't recommend is 1AAuto. I bought some aftermarket parts from them, and they were just crappy. It jiggled where it wasn't supposed to jiggle.
I get all my parts from Rockauto, and if it’s a GM vehicle then sometimes from gmpartswarehouse.com
When it comes to sensors, never cheap out. Go OEM!
