No way can buy brand new starter?

[hangout]

Hi, I have the 91 TT with 85k mile, 5 spd.
I feel the starter is weak recent days, like 5-6 cranks to fire up. I'm not sure if the car build like that.
I'm thinking to get a new starter, but my friend told me that there is NO WAY can a brand new one. The only brand new is jut the one came with the car from the manufacture. all the starter selling in the market are re-build, even the car dealer only can get the re-build to put in.
is it right what he saying?
if I really want to get a brand new one, anyone can give me link?

Thanks

[nissanfreak12]

Are you sure its the starter and not bad connections or a weak battery? 5-6 cranks sounds also like something else is going on or its a really really slow crank. Have you checked to see if there are engine codes?

[nexus08]

Yeah, I'd have the battery checked first. If it was a bad starter, it probably wouldn't crank at all.

[z.Leinbach]

Mines like that on first start up in the am. Lil bit of a weak bat. (light is a dull light up for any about 10mins then goes away) and horrid pos connection as well