Has anyone noticed this??
 

I know that in general everything has gotten expensive in the last couple years...

But this example is a little retarded.

This is about vehicle/engine thermostats.

What I am seeing is that thermostat which used to be $4-$6 at the local auto parts store is now $30-$80;
If you (like me) sometimes preferred to buy the overpriced one in a GM box, you might have paid $12 - but that one now is now over a hundred dollars...!?!

If you doubt me, here:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1698869285

Rockauto isn't a whole lot better.

I have read that the QC on the aftermarket ones is slipping, and that's why I initially looked into getting one of these **GM** thermostats.

Now, as a counterpoint, on Rockauto, I can get an aftermarket one for as low as $14cnd - but when I include shipping, it again gets a little retarded...
The GM (no longer Delco, now (?)GM-Genuine) is $94cnd.

I decided to go to the local auto parts chain;
I don't go there often these days because I rarely am in need of a part right away, anyway, the ones they carry are Motorad brand and are somewhere north of $30 (this is the same one that is $14 on Rockauto; the employee didn't want to look it up, but told me it would be north of $30).

Does anyone know what happened here?

I was wanting to do a couple coolant flushes, but when a thermostat is exceeding the cost of a bottle of undiluted Prestone-dexcool - something seems woefully wrong.

I just got a bunch of 160 thermostats from RockAuto for around $3 a piece.

I've never had an issue using them.

My favorite for my 328I is Gates (actually an O.E.M. made in Germany)
Excellent stat.
Still same price as last year.$40 bucks.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...hermostat,2200

I picked up thermostat a couple years ago that was made in Israel. Thought that was curious.
If they are still a large producer, I understand there is a kerfuffle over there right now.

Johnson Controls has production in Huntsville AL. I got my T-Stats from the U-Pull-It for decades.

I'm thinking this might just be the way to go from here on in.

How are you able to verify that they function properly?

I was thinking I could throw one in a pot of boiling water...

I have no problem spending, oh, lets say up to $15 for one, but once you shoot past that, it's gettin' stupid.

Here is what the local economic part chain wants:
(notice they are ALL motorad)

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1700515891

And just incase you doubt me, HERE is the URL

often Napa is a good deal more than that other chain, and it looks like they are not going to disappoint here either.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1700516345

ok.. third and last bump for the day.

I just looked up my Rockauto order for the last thermostat I ordered for this application;
Ordered place in January 2021:
Stant 14698 $11.82(cnd)

Even back then I knew the Motorad were the bottom of the bucket (By all means, enlighten me if I'm wrong) - Something is going on.

Are manufactures' shorting supply lines to increase profit margins??

That same part number on Amazon(.ca) is $43.55(cnd).

Pure lunacy.

I just checked Rock Auto...thermostats for a 67 GTO range from $3.31 to $8.20. Even if that was the only thing you were buying and had to pay $10 for shipping that's a heck of a lot cheaper than any of the local stores. Ridiculous.

Just checked Rock Auto for stats for my 2011 GMC (GM $30), and my GTO (aftermarket $16)

Maybe it's the particular unit you are looking at? Might use some material that is in short supply right now.

Maybe a Canadian's only price hike./

Buying parts in Canada has always been expensive.

And this may also be an application price hike;
Incase you're interested, it's for an Ecotec (GM 4 cylinder; 2002-present).
180f opening temp.
(As a further example, I believe that ALL 2005-2010 Cobalts use the same thermostat.)

I was wondering if there was some way of getting an application for the same style thermostat without the rubber ring, and then sourcing new rubber rings myself...

I did a little more looking around after my last post in this thread and found that after the "buying in Canada surcharge", this application is getting pricey.

Here is a modified version of that NAPA-Canada screen shot showing the NAPA-USA pricing and converting to Canadian dollars;

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1700604925

You can see the significant price hike for buying in Canada - which is why I try to plan ahead, and normally buy from state-side sellers like Rockauto.

I may just add a couple reasonably priced ($13 vs $32) motorad thermostats to my next rockauto order... while still keeping in mind pulling them from wreckers.