As with other items available online, you will find that no one source has the best prices on all auto parts. Since most of Amazon.com's auto parts are supplied by a variety of third-party vendors, you will find an especially wide range of prices here. I wish I could say otherwise, but after working with the "Part-Finder" to the left, I found it pretty obvious that auto parts are not Amazon's main stock in trade. Nonetheless, you'll want to check Amazon for your automotive needs, and I'm going to do what I can to make that process easier. |
First, although it is by no means obvious, there is a Parts-Finder Site Map which lists all the different makes for which parts are available. Although you may find only a few parts, such as spark plugs for some makes, this page does indicate the breadth of parts available.
Like all part-finder applications, Amazon's is only as good as the information in its database (which comes from various suppliers). While a part may actually be available, the part finder will not find it unless the vendor has listed your specific vehicle in their data. The best approach is often to search the "all of automotive" category for a specific part number which you have determined to be the correct one.
For example, Ford lists a "dual function reservoir" on several vehicles with dual gas tanks for a couple of years around 1989. I don't even remember the correct designation for my 1989 F-150, but the "base part number" is 9B263. Ford includes extraneous characters in their part naming scheme to make one part seem like many distinct parts. As of this posting, when searching for 9B263, two parts are displayed: F1UZ-9B263-B and F1TZ-9B263-B. They are the same part. Not similar, or compatible or work alike -- the same. There is no guarantee that the number on the part you recieve will even match the part you ordered, except for the base part number. Sweet!
Drilling down to 1989 Ford F-150 Fuel System Ford, is totally useless because the Amazon database doesn't "know" that the part fits.
Another example from the same project is the 1989 F-150 fuel filter for this truck. Besides listing a bunch of parts that are completely unrelated, the part finder doesn't realize that you can upgrade the recommended filter to a 1991 Crown Victoria filter, even though the old six-banger is listed under "see all vehicles this product fits." BTW, I can't recommend Fram. They used to be a very reputable brand, and although I haven't personally had any problems with their products, there have been far too many complaints lately to be ignored.
