(Shopped 06/23/26 TU Between 12:00pm-3:00pm): Third time was a charm while buying auto parts all in…read moreone day!
I was introduced to TriStar Auto Parts by my family's longtime maintenance man when I was trying to get some repairs done on my 2005 Honda Element aka "The Toaster". He's been here several times before since his mechanic friend has recently been doing some work on his vehicles, one of them coincidentally the same exact model as mine. I wasn't a car guy at all although I appreciated them. However, I never took auto shop in high school, and I've personally only done the bare minimum when it came to maintenance and repairs for any vehicles I've owned. Otherwise, I always took my cars to the dealership or private mechanic and hoped for the best. Now that I had access to a mechanic someone could vouch for, I was ready to give him a shot. But in his case, the client had to supply all of the materials while he provided all of the labor. Would this neighborhood auto parts store be a shining star in my search for items to fix my Toaster!?
PURCHASE(S)
Rear Brake Lightbulbs ($3.99 x2): Cheap enough and very easy to replace myself!
Pre-Mixed Coolant ($15.00): The main reason behind the need for a mechanic to access my vehicle had to do with issues I was having with the thermostat and possibly the radiator. So, I bought this just in case the radiator needed to be topped off or flushed out. I loved that it was pre-mixed versus the non-mixed version I was used to.
Coolant Sensor ($28.95): Thankfully, the thermostat wasn't the issue with my vehicle, so we returned that part and got this instead. I guess once you approach 200k miles, this original part has to give out eventually. Basically, the temperature gauge would suddenly shoot to a critically-hot red level while I idled at a stop light or stuck in traffic. This new part fixed that uneasy feeling.
Replacement Air Filter ($14.56): Mine was somewhat filthy, so since the mechanic was already under the hood and working in that area of my vehicle, it just made sense to replace it.
SERVICE
We were immediately greeted by a couple of the workers behind the order counter. Since my maintenance man knew the people, he took over and requested the parts for me each time we were here. Thankfully, they had the parts we needed at seemingly very affordable prices. And when we had to return something because we didn't need it, it wasn't an issue. Everything was straightforward (honestly, everyone's primary attention was glued to the TV while the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches were one - lol) - thank you!
PARKING
(FREE): They shared a smallish lot with a few other businesses. Otherwise, there appeared to be spots (potentially metered and/or timed so read all posted signs carefully) along the main drag of Sunset Blvd. - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A somewhat cluttered purely functional and practical warehouse of multiple auto parts organized in aisles, rows, and shelves all behind the front order counter which you couldn't pass. Don't let the aesthetics bother you; it's what kept the rent and prices down. Decent natural lighting entered through the large front door while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights covered the rest. There was one TV while Spanish music quietly played in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was very thankful for TriStar Auto Parts being around and nearby for my vehicle repair needs. They carried both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and similar parts depending on your budget. If I were to have taken the Toaster to the dealership, I could only imagine what they would've charged me! Now, I knew I had a cheaper option both with their prices and my maintenance man's mechanic as my car is over 20 years old. In addition, they seemed to have or, if necessary, could order any part you needed, and the service was friendly, informative, and straightforward. And, I always preferred to support any small mom & pop business. I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $73.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS
