Originally Posted by Carlo_Carrera

If you know how cross reference the manufactures Rockauto sells the same OEM manufactured parts as a Porsche dealer. OEM spark plugs, coils, ignition switches, fuel pumps, etc are all available at a huge discount.

Originally Posted by vtec_

... Aren't the ignition switches VW components?

Originally Posted by Lazurus

I haven't had any cars payments in at least 20/25 years! I do not "miss" them that's for sure. Congrats on paying off that loan. In fact it's amazing to me that you were even able to secure a loan on a 20 year old car! Good for you @QwikkotaTX. One less thing to deal with $.

In other car foible and related news, I recently ordered some parts from Rock Auto ( anytime i think I'm "saving" money I usually end up not ) and they sent the wrong part! although it was listed as being the proper part(s). They immediately sent replacements which were ALSO WRONG! The only cool part of this process is they send out a replacement the moment they see the tracking number activated on the RMA which is self generated on their antiquated web site.

The "bad" news is - There are no humans or "normal" C/S assistance, and the entire site is web based only and the site appears as if it was created with 1996 web technology. They don't even have a PHONE number a customer can call.

Never again, and caveat emptor! Time is money, and I lost both.

Originally Posted by QwikKotaTX

Thanks. I have had low or 0% interest rates in the past. I have just about always paid extra on the loan to knock it down faster (except for the 0% loan) but this time was very aggressive to get that monkey off my back. Pentagon Federal CU didn't balk at the loan for an older car but did require lots of pictures of the condition. Interest rate was ridiculous though.

I have always had pretty good luck with Rock Auto. I have only done returns twice. That stinks you had such rotten luck. Same with whoever received the damaged strut. Crazy they got rid of their phone number for CS. I have called them in the past.

Originally Posted by Lazurus

I know, right?! Funnier still is I began to believe Carlo here when he said yesterday that ( paraphrasing ) "no one has CS phones any longer" and yesterday and even today as I began to sort out my final needed parts, I made note of all the vendors that *still*? have CS 800/888 phone lines, and they include Pelican/Parts Geek/RM European/EEuroparts/ECS and etc etc.. I could go on, so - in spite of suggestions to the contrary, CS phone lines seem to thankfully still be alive and well. Just not at Rock Auto! People often have questions when ordering stuff, and I'm sure that keeping a CS open phone line(s) is good for their business, and probably offsets their added payroll costs.

Originally Posted by QwikKotaTX

Most places have a frustrating automated interface that requires some work around to talk to an actual person. I have called Pelican several times, very helpful. No delay talking to someone unless they are busy. Some of their prices seem higher than others but orders over $100 ship free and they let you use your PCA discount once a year.

I need to buy a clutch master but will shop around. Sunset has it for $25 cheaper than Pelican but the shipping quote for a small object is over $30! Ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Lazurus

Pelican as I have said was once my "go to" since they were in SoCal and receipt of goods was very prompt. Lately though I have been using RM European ( in CO? ) and case in point; I ordered some added needed stuff Tuesday after business hours, and was surprised to find my order delivered by mid-day Thursday of this week. $7.99 shipping non "expedited". I even got an email notification that an item in my "project list" had gone on sale which I found helpful too. Those "project list" features that most vendors now have incorporated into their websites I find to be really helpful. Pelican is still really helpful but their pricing as Carlo recently noted is not "the best" and possibly even higher than many others, as it once was very competitive by comparison.

My since hope is that I'm done buying discretionary maintenance parts for 2024! At least the new clutch was LAST year!

Originally Posted by docwyte

Scored a used carbon fiber hand brake locally

Originally Posted by QwikKotaTX

Buying expensive parts that don't add horsepower or improve handline is definitely not fun. I am paranoid about messing my clutch up.

I will keep RM Euro in mind, I had not heard of them. Thank you.

Originally Posted by LinwoodM

what are you replacing with it? My aluminum black leather one has seen better days…

Originally Posted by Lazurus

They are very good and super attentive to orders I have found. After this recent debacle on parts ordering I'm going to stay with the mid level online vendors such as noted above and try and avoid these others. I also have had success also with parts and stuff from Fleabay, of all places. Even though there is no C/S to speak of, maybe I've just been lucky there.

I have always been amazed at just how long a stock clutch *can* last, even when mildly modified with a tune and exhaust etc. Not uncommon to hear of them lasting well over 75k miles absent hard abuse. I think T2's outlier 996 Turbo clutch life came close to or exceeded 100k? The connected hydraulic parts - Not so much.

@docwyte I can imagine unexpectedly needing one missing or failed part one day to finish something and being that close to them, and then having to wait for a carrier delivery! I did notice they say "no local pickup".