Well, my starter just up and quit today. Had to get help for a few push starts to get to-and-from places. Damn it all. Headed to the garage to check all the usual related stuff tonight. Sorry for the n00b question, but in the event that I have to replace the starter, is it one of those parts that's ok to get from Napa, or do I need to bite the bullet and hit up Norco? Their website says $137.

I would get it from a local auto parts store. Get one with a lifetime warranty this way you won't have to worry about it no more.

Gotta take into consideration that once you buy a parts store starter, you may be setting yourself up for a long line of failed components. I got the Autozone starter for my non turbo since it's front and center and can be taken off in less than five minutes. It dies, I skip to the part store and get back on the road asap. You on the other hand have to dig behind the block every time you wanna swap it out. Spend the extra dollar and sleep better at night or save a buck and never have to pay for a starter again but hate doing the install. If you go the cheap, lifetime guaranty route, I suggest you try and take advantage of the 20% off Autozone coupon listed in the off topic forum.

IMO I wouldn't buy from autozone or any other little parts store. Its cheep but not worth all the hassle going back everytime it fails and replacing it.

Problem found. LOL, guess i finally pay for accidentally letting the starter hang by the positive cable during my clutch job.

Too tired to fix it tonight. Carpool w/ the wife tomorrow, then to a parts store to buy a heavy duty terminal.

that'll do it.

It's something slow that happened over time. I accidentally let the starter hang for a while during a clutch job last year (i thought it was propped up on the rear engine mount, but it slid out). This weakened the cable at the terminal. Over several months, the connection wore a bit more (every time I reached down in the engine bay and moved wires around). 'Bout 2 months ago i tried to start the car one day and got nothing. Tried again a few minutes later and it started up fine. Again, about two weeks ago, the same thing happened. Yesterday, it was happening again. I pulled a little on the starter wire which pretty much severed the connection entirely. Once I got home I pulled the battery tray and got my hands down there and verified that the connection had been completely broken.