5 Car Parts You Should Always Buy Used
Used auto parts aren’t a compromise. For five specific components, a used OEM piece fits better and costs far less than new or aftermarket. Here’s the list, and what to check before you buy.
Category: Blog Post
Where to Find Matching OEM Interior Parts for Discontinued Models
When a dealer says the interior part is discontinued, the supply hasn’t vanished, it moved to the salvage side of the industry. Here’s how to find your exact match using color code, trim, and VIN.
Why Used OEM Body Panels Fit Better Than New Aftermarket Replacements
A cheaper aftermarket panel often costs more once you pay the labor to make it fit. Here’s why used OEM body panels bolt on with true factory gaps, and when aftermarket is actually fine.
Engine Knocking Noise: Causes, Diagnosis, and When to Swap the Block
Engine knocking noise decoded: tell rod knock from valve tick, run the DIY tests, and know when to repair, rebuild, or swap the engine block.
Why Buying a Used Ford EcoBoost Engine from A Plus Auto Makes More Sense Than a Rebuild
Weighing a used Ford EcoBoost engine against a rebuild? Here’s how the cost, time, and reliability compare, and why a graded used unit from A Plus Auto often wins.
Buying a Used Toyota Tacoma Engine: A Complete Guide
A practical guide to buying a used Toyota Tacoma engine, covering the 3.5L V6, the 4th-gen turbo I-4, pricing factors, and what to inspect before you pay.
Honda CVT Transmission vs Automatic Transmission: Explained
How does a Honda CVT transmission compare to a traditional automatic? A breakdown of design, reliability, maintenance, and what owners should know.
Toyota Camry Engine Lifespan: How Many Miles Should You Expect?
A data-backed look at Toyota Camry engine lifespan by generation, what shortens it, and how many miles you can realistically expect.
GM’s 5.3-Liter V8: A Complete Guide to the Engine, Its Problems, and Its Recalls
A plain-English guide to GM’s 5.3L V8 (Vortec, EcoTec3, L83, L84): which Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac models use it, the lifter and transmission problems owners report, and what’s actually been recalled versus what hasn’t.
Ford’s 10R80 10-Speed Automatic Transmission: How It Works and What It Replaced
A plain-English breakdown of the Ford 10R80 transmission: which models use it, why Ford dropped the 6R80, how planetary gearsets create 10 speeds, and what actually needs maintenance.
2025 Honda Pilot Transmission Problems: What to Know
A breakdown of 2025 Honda Pilot transmission problems, the 10-speed’s jerky-shift complaints, and what Kentucky owners should check first.
Ford EcoBoost Engine Problems: What Owners Should Know
A breakdown of the most common Ford EcoBoost engine problems, from carbon buildup to timing chain stretch, plus what we see at our Kentucky yard.