On Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:59:03 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , mm wrote:

Called the local consumer auto parts store and the radiator is 145.
Not sure how it compares to the three qualities two online stores had,
including the one for 105 including shipping and (no) tax. This one
is just down the street of course.

Probably less than half that at a junkyard. Most yards guarantee rads against
leaks -- if it leaks, bring it back and they'll give you another one -- but
you'd better ask first.

I'm sure I would be up for that if I hadn't had a "bad" experience
with my mother's car. The first two leaked and when they fixed one of
them, it leaked too. Back and forth to the junkyard, in and out of
the car. I don't remember how much hers would have cost new, if,
allowing for the price index, it was more than mine or not.

OTOH, even though the website could send me the wrong radiator,
elsewhere I've had good experience with webvendors, so that doesnt'
feel likely to me.

BTW, Goedjn, I thought I scratched the radiator a month ago so that's
why I'm pretty sure that's where the problme is. But I will look for
confirmation. It's supposed to be in the 50's on Saturday.

I could do all this in below freezing weather if I had to, but the
weather is such here that if I wait 2 or 3 days, I won't have to.

Just don't expect your money back if it leaks. One of our local yards used to
have a big sign behind the counter: N F C R in letters two feet high. Stood
for "No ... Cash Refunds". Almost all yards have the same policy, if not
always quite so colorfully expressed. But I think every one I've ever dealt
with had an exchange guarantee on radiators.