Napa Auto Parts

Location

975 Olive Drive (Across street from Redrum Burger)

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

Sat 9am-6pm

Sun Closed

Phone

(530)753-6272

Website

http://www.rubiconautoparts.com (local store)

http://www.napaonline.com (corporate)

Napa Auto Parts is a dealer of automotive parts, selling everything from windshield wipers to front axles. They also sell snow chains, which is important if you plan on heading on a winter adventure.

Many of the mechanics in Davis purchase from them, so you'd be wise to cut out the middle man and buy auto parts there yourself. You'll save lots of money by avoiding mechanics' exorbitant mark up fees. This technique is particularly useful for mechanics on Richards Blvd. & Olive Drive who are within walking distance.

For some replacement parts, e.g., axles, they'll make you leave a deposit (a core charge). That way old parts get recycled. In order to get your deposit back, make sure to bring (a) the receipt, (b) the old part, and (c) the replacement part's box.

NAPA Auto Parts Davis is now under new ownership since January 1^st 2007, with new hours, new staff and double the inventory. The new owner, Neil Beadle, has another store, NAPA Auto Parts Georgetown in beautiful Georgetown, CA, in the Sierra Nevada foothills between Auburn and Placerville. They have a website where you can view more information.

They offer a AAA Discount. Formerly this spot held Cal-Davis Auto & Truck Parts.

If you need to buy a new car battery, Napa is ideal. For free, they will test your old battery and check your alternator and starter.

Often times mechanics have accounts with auto parts stores which would make the parts cheaper to buy through the mechanic. I can't speak for every mechanic, but I know at least some don't make money on their parts. Usually when a mechanic's parts are really expensive, it is because the mechanic needs an uncommon, model specific part. The problem is that he has no incentive to find cheap parts for you. Usually you end up paying top dollar for the next or same day shipping from the closest warehouse because that was the extend of the mechanic's search for a price.- Alex

Napa hooked me up with some heat resistant tubing and some twist ties, and they are always friendly. My hick neighboor swears to the quality of napa parts, and rebuilt his late 80's F-150 from napa parts. —StevenDaubert

Comments

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2008-01-15 17:35:53   For auto parts in Davis, Napa is much better than Kragen. Napa is usually cheaper, their employees are much more knowledgeable and they can get parts that they don't have in stock quicker than Kragen. The only downside is that they close at 6 while Kragen stays open till 8 or 9 (I forget). You also save 7% using your AAA card. —ScottStanley

2008-01-30 20:15:43   If you need coolant, go to Ace Hardware. About $3 cheaper there. —MattCool

2008-05-23 11:09:02   Napa has much more knowledgeable staff employed than kragen. Its a much better store all around. The only downside is that theyre more expensive for the most part. However, the parts they sell are of a higher grade than kragen. so choose your own poison. i guess. Higher prices=better products or low price=cheap products —boked

2008-06-03 20:40:23   My experience has been the complete opposite of that mentioned below. I normally shop at Kragen, and have been very happy with the one here in Davis (very friendly and helpful staff), but I shopped at Napa several times for parts for the plug-in hybrid team I work with on campus. Napa has an excellent location (easy, short bike from campus), but I've found the staff to be more or less useless when asking about certain parts, and just generally not helpful. I have not yet had a good experience with them after at least three trips, so I've given up. The store is also poorly stocked and poorly maintained (compared to the excellent selection and general cleanliness of the Kragen store). I recommend Kragen. —Matt.Brunner

2009-10-10 10:48:26   My experience is very terrible with this NAPA auto store. My suggestion don't go to this store if you have any other choice. Here is my story. I was in the middle of repairing my car. I was stuck with one bolts and need to buy some deep sockets.
I went to the store and bought one socket. I came back home and found the size does not fit my car.
I went back immediately and want an exchange or return. They don't accept any tool return even it is brand new unopened.
What the hell? That's the most terrible customer service I have ever met.
I ended buying two more deep sockets just in case since my car is not working and other store is too far for me...
Besides, their staffs don't have too much knowledge about car.
They don't care about you and do not want bother to help you.
Compared to this, I have much much better experience in Kragen and even ACE.
I will never bother to go to this store again, NEVER!!! —woshiss

2009-10-16 16:43:40   My alternator died today and I made it to napa on the dying gasp of the battery. The great folks there were nice enough to loan some tools so I could get the alternator out and put the new one in. They even recharged my battery for free while I was installing the new alternator. Thanks NAPA! —ARWENNHOLD