Robert WebbCars are a technological marvel of their own, not to mention a daily part of our lives. But did you know there are ways of kitting it out even further without getting into the nitty-gritty of engine swapping and internal modification?
They certainly won’t turn your daily driver into a tuner, but a good suite of car accessories can really enhance your driving experience. I swapped out my car’s original stereo for a better one some time back, and let me tell you, my drives got way more fun.
We felt pretty spoiled for choice when we went shopping for car accessories in Vancouver, so today we’ve rounded up my favorites.
Ready to take your driving experience from zero to a hundred? Read on for some shops you might want to call.
How much does it cost to get car accessories in Vancouver?
Car accessories in Vancouver can cost anywhere from $80 to $370. This price can differ between types of accessories like stereos, dash-cams, and rain deflectors.
1. Lordco Auto Parts
Address: 882 E Cordova St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 879 9391, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you’ve ever shopped for car accessories in Vancouver or Canada in general, there’s a chance Lordco Auto Parts might already be a familiar name to you. With locations around BC and Alberta, we’d be remiss not to drop by one of them!
At first glance, Lordco’s inventory is almost intimidating. The shop featured mostly aftermarket car parts and accessories, after all. Their interior accessories included door modifications like locks and handles, and even custom keys and key fobs.
What caught our eye when browsing was their installation kits, which we found pretty handy for customers who prefer the DIY life. Getting installation services at certain garages and centers can be pricey, so we appreciated these!
Customers we chatted up also praised the ordering and pick-up systems. Many actually recommended calling ahead to check availability and have items set aside if possible, saving on the hassle of browsing on your own.
We can see why. At the physical location, we found browsing a little difficult. The store layout can be hard to navigate, making searching for specific parts a bit of a headache.
Additionally, we noticed a longer waiting time for customer service, especially at checkout. We’d definitely recommend ordering online or arriving early to shop!
Impeccable phone and in-person experience
“Called ahead. Talked to Brayden. Impeccable phone and in-person experience. Parts were ready on pickup and Brayden took the time to ensure compatibility. I was beyond seriously impressed with every aspect of his professionalism.”
– Mr. James Whitlock, Google Review
Very helpful with any question, returns or whatever
“I usually go to this place to buy parts and i normally meet George when ever i go. He is a super awesome guy. Very energetic friendly and professional. Also very helpful with any question, returns or whatever.. I would shop from them anytime no doubts.”
– Ms. Saranath Ranasinghe, Google Review
2. NAPA Auto Parts
Address: 138 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1E9
Contact Details: +1 604 874 5777, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
Need accessories quickly and easily without having to browse too long? Well, we did, so we got to asking and found NAPA Auto Parts. With the distance and locations in both Burnaby and 3rd Ave, it’s no wonder locals pointed us their way.
The shop was home to a surprising amount of accessories despite the smaller store space. We found their interior accessories first, with items such as new steering wheels, document holders, and even electronic chargers and mounts.
What stole the show for us was their exterior accessories. If you’ve ever dreamed of kitting out for a long camping or hiking trip like I have, they’ve got everything from lighting to roof racks. Covers and splash guards are available too!
We also found the store easy to navigate, with neat displays and categories. We even spoke with a few customers who appreciated the same-day services offered for those opting for delivery instead.
On the other hand, customers could not say the same of their response time over the phone, with some experiencing long waiting times just to get an answer.
Finally, we’d advise arriving early or finding a parking space beforehand. On our own visit, we had some trouble finding a good parking space even during slow hours.
Great group, easy to deal with
“Went into Napa with a car battery that I just couldn’t get to charge. Even though the warranty was 9 days passed the 24 months the team was gracious enough to replace it with a brand new one for free! Great group, easy to deal with.”
– Mr. Mark Volk, Google Review
Latest order arrived just an hour after I made it
“I’ve purchased from this store a few times now, staff are helpful and efficient.
Same day delivery for my latest order arrived just an hour after I made it, amazing. Good service.”
– Mr. Kenneth Fagan, Google Review
3. Auto World
Address: 4800 Kingsway #169, Burnaby, BC V5H 4J2
Contact Details: +1 604 431 9118, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Feel like shopping somewhere that’s not a dedicated auto parts store? Auto World might be worth a try just for the surprise. We certainly were confused when we asked locals for their favorite spots to buy car accessories, and they pointed us to a hobby store!
Auto World rose to popularity among locals for its collection of diecast model cars, but its selection of car accessories impressed us. We found everything from novelty items like bobbleheads and vinyl stickers to full mirrors and even exhaust mufflers.
On our own visit, we got to chat with some of the regulars. A few were happy to praise their custom decals and license plate frames, helping would-be tuners or folks who love their customization get their start on really personalizing their car.
All of these came at reasonable prices, as we noted. Those looking for a shop to get car accessories without breaking the bank at a larger auto parts store might want to swing by and check out their stuff.
On the other hand, a few customers did mention fluctuating quality and durability in their accessories. We’d definitely advise checking your purchases carefully before paying.
Lastly, we’d also recommend a physical visit, as we were told the delivery times could get quite long when ordering parts or models from them online.
Had everything I was looking for put aside
“After emailing to have the same items put aside so I could repurchase them, they had everything I was looking for put aside and waiting for me! Very helpful finding the right thread size for the tow hook as well.”
– Mr. Jay Pixel, Google Review
Great place in Metrotown for car accessories
“Great place in Metrotown for car accessories. Bought LED light replacements for my Mini’s halogen bulbs.. Reasonably priced..be nice and you can negotiate a good deal. Friendly staff. Some bulbs blinked when hot they promptly replaced. Will come back!”
– Mr. Chris Albert de Leon, Google Review
4. Ralph’s Radio Ltd.
Address: 1490 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V5L 4X6
Contact Details: +1 604 879 4281, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Closed on Sunday
Nothing makes a road trip more fun than a nice soundtrack, and what do you need to get the most of your music? A good stereo. Ralph’s Radio has been a popular spot among locals for all things audio and car accessories, and for good reason.
The shop itself largely offers audio systems, but that doesn’t mean they left their car accessories in the dust. We found a pleasantly surprising range of car accessories, such as backup cameras, lighting, and even backseat entertainment.
Another thing that caught our attention was the variety of vehicles they supported. The shop serviced cars and trucks from multiple brands, and if you have one, they even have products for motorcycles and boats.
When we got to chatting with customers, many praised their upgrades and the installation. Many cited the improvement of their stereos and lighting after the service, and we find this convenient if you prefer a certain brand for your car accessories.
That being said, where the shop fluctuates is in its pricing. Many customers mentioned the long waiting times just to receive a quote for both the product and the installation service.
When they did receive these quotes, customers reported experiencing changes in quotes before and after coming to the shop. We’d recommend confirming and settling on a concrete quote when ordering.
Helped me find a really nice and compatible Pioneer screen for my car
“I had a great experience with Jake at Ralph’s Radio. He helped me find a really nice and compatible Pioneer screen for my car, and I couldn’t be happier with it. During the installation, he was super careful with all the details.”
– Mr. Sam Aeinnejad, Google Review
What a huge improvement
“They didn’t try to upsell me, they did a great job, and William told me to come back when I was ready to upgrade. Two years later, I finally did, and what a huge improvement!”
– Ms. Jennine Banks, Google Review
5. Performance Car Stereo
Address: 150 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P 2R5
Contact Details: +1 604 986 1171
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Closed on Sunday
If you’re looking for something a bit more electronic, then Performance Car Stereo might be up your alley. The store landed on our radar for offering, well, radars! That on its own caught our attention, and we decided to swing by and check out their other products.
Performance Car Stereo carried a number of audio systems and popular car accessories like dash cameras. Those looking for more security can even buy their own alarm and remote security systems.
The shop’s electronic car accessories didn’t just catch our attention; they caught customers’ eyes too! Those looking for everything from digital media receivers to radar detectors to aid in driver awareness spoke well of the shop as a starting point.
Some regulars we chatted with praised the installation and service items too. Many reported quick and clean installations of their new accessories, leaving behind little mess and resulting in a clean finish.
However, the quickness of the installation was not reflected in the length of waiting time needed to schedule it in the first place, as some customers let us know.
Lastly, we do have to note that Performance Car Stereo’s accessories don’t come cheap. We’d recommend planning a budget ahead of time or keeping them in mind for a well-deserved treat to yourself!
Ensure that the install met their very high standards
“I had a 10.1″ Sony XAV-AX8500 digital receiver installed in my X1. The result is amazing! Feels like a factory install. They went above and beyond to ensure that the install met their very high standards. Very pleased.”
– Mr. Gene Endrody, Google Review
Installed everything flawlessly
“They did an excellent job! Came in for a head unit and reverse camera instal. They finished early, installed everything flawlessly and even tighter up my loose trunk handle! Couldn’t have been happier with the service.”
– Mr. Lucas Neuman, Google Review
