| Whether it's for your 4-year-old Chevy minivan, or | | | | you a great deal of money to purchase. The first |
| the vintage Dodge Charger you have underneath the | | | | thing you should do is exhaust all of the auto |
| canvas in your shop, finding auto parts that don't | | | | wreckers in your area. You never know who has |
| cost you a fortune might be a tough task. Auto | | | | that '57 Chevy rusting away in the back corner of |
| wreckers, E-bay, parts locators - these are all valid | | | | the lot since their grandfather owned the yard. Next |
| ways to try to find the auto part you need, at the | | | | thing to do would be to track down all of the used |
| price you want to pay. | | | | car parts locators on the Internet. You might find |
| For newer vehicles, you might be inclined to pay full | | | | dozens of them, and if you want the final piece to |
| retail price at your local auto parts store, just to get | | | | your collector car puzzle, it is worth the work. |
| the exact part you need for your vehicle. What you | | | | If you are still having no luck shopping for low cost |
| should realize is there are dozens of cars with parts | | | | auto parts to go with your vintage beauty, there are |
| just like yours, or reasonably close, that are sitting in | | | | two other avenues you might follow to track down |
| impound lots, auto wreckers, and on the Internet, | | | | the part you need. First, search the Internet and the |
| just waiting to find a new home. What makes them | | | | Yellow Pages for any car collectors groups that |
| more attractive is that these auto parts can be | | | | match your car. If you need a headlight for your |
| found for a fraction of what you would pay for a | | | | Model T, try finding a group that collects those cars, |
| new part. Chances are, they will last just as long - | | | | and inquire where they found their parts. You may |
| unless they have been damaged. | | | | even get lucky and find someone who has that part |
| With any vehicle newer than 10 to 12 years, you will | | | | in one of the salvaged cars they have used. Collector |
| be able to find anything from windshields and side | | | | clubs can not only be a great lifeline for parts, they |
| mirrors to carburetors and radiators at the local auto | | | | may be able to offer you advice on fixing up your |
| wreckers. Most auto wreckers can save you piles of | | | | car on a budget. |
| cash when you are shopping for low cost auto parts. | | | | This next option might be a reach for some, |
| Many of them have their cars catalogued on | | | | especially if you live in the city, but rural landowners |
| computer, along with the parts that have been | | | | have a knack for collecting and storing all sorts of |
| stripped from them. It makes shopping for low cost | | | | machinery on their properties - cars, trucks, tractors, |
| auto parts a breeze - and very economical. | | | | etc. This might be your ace in the hole on a part you |
| With many older vehicles, you may face a tougher | | | | are having no luck finding anywhere else. They may |
| task of finding the auto part you need - at a | | | | also be the cheapest when you are shopping for low |
| reasonable price. The parts are out there - you just | | | | cost auto parts. |
| need to spend the time finding them. One of the | | | | Talk to the local tow truck driver in a small town, or |
| best places to find auto parts for everything from | | | | rural area. They often have the scoop on who has |
| collector cars and vintage autos, to the Ford Tempo | | | | what, and if you'd be able to find a certain part in the |
| that needs a headlight, is on the Internet. Whether | | | | area. It certainly is worth the effort if you are able |
| you search for the part on an auction site like E-bay, | | | | to find that final remaining piece to finish your car. |
| or if you use a national parts site like JC Whitney, | | | | Don't be afraid to scour the countryside looking for |
| chances are that someone, somewhere is going to | | | | the part you need - sometimes they are found in the |
| have the parts you need for your vehicle. There is a | | | | most unsuspecting places. |
| good chance that those parts are going to cost you | | | | Your last resort (and most expensive) is to have a |
| much less than finding someone to custom make a | | | | part custom made. If you are shopping for low cost |
| part, or purchasing the part from a retailer. | | | | auto parts, this might not be the road to travel. But, |
| Vintage cars, especially ones that are older than a | | | | it is a final option. |
| half century may pose a problem for someone | | | | With all of these avenues to follow, in all likelihood |
| shopping for low cost auto parts. The problem is, | | | | you will find the auto part you need, and you should |
| many of the parts that are out there are really hard | | | | be able to find it at a price that doesn't put a huge |
| to find, and when you do find them, they may cost | | | | dent in the pocketbook. Happy hunting! |