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Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by steve on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 4:31 p.m.
I assume that these questions pop up here periodically. Has there ever been a open thread exchange of good trusted independent volvo mechanics by local area? It would be a good resource for all who aren't quite sure where to take their brick.
I'm seeking names for Portland and Eugene OR.
thanks,
steve
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 5:13 p.m.
What criteria will be used and what qualifiers ? IE: They guy was a moron vs. Shop left 3 items unfixed , did not comment on them and left car filthy...
I've had shops so clean you could eat off the floor leave tools under the hood while they guy who looked like Mr. Dirt treated me fairly, finished on time/budget and stayed late so I could get my car a day early.
I can recommend
Joel Cohen
International Auto Service
192-12 47th Ave.
Flushing, NY (Queens)
718-358-3520
Open 8:30AM-6PM M-F
9:00AM-1:00PM Sat.
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by steve on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 8:06 p.m.
Alright, one mechanic in Queens is a start!
This seems like a category that most people have an opinion on so this might get boring for other people to read BUT I'd like to hear about the Mr Clean and Mr Honest. Since this is a forum other customers might read and add their $.02
My preference is for the honest hardworker but sombody else might really need clean too.
I'd like to hear about ALL of em in Portland and let the evidence come out. Anybody who has expierience with mechanics give the details in support or against.
I guess I'd especially like to hear if people have had BAD experiences. They are more fun to read about.
steve
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by Larry on
Saturday, 22 November 1997, at 10:52 p.m.
I'm looking for a good one too - in Vancouver, B.C., Canada - the last good one had to close up shop when he settled his divorce.
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by Dave Stevens on
Sunday, 23 November 1997, at 1:52 a.m.
Larry, may I recommend the crew at:
Swedish Service Joe Horvat
6858 Royal Oak Ave (604)434-2535
Burnaby, B.C
V5J 4J2
I've trusted Swedish with my Volvo's for over 25 years.
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by Kent Huffman on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 10:08 p.m.
Try the Cartalk web site(you know THE TAPPET brothers on NPR). They have a searchable database by location and make from folks who have sent in recomendations(good and bad). I believe the site is cartalk.msn.com. Good Luck.
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?/Dr. Goodwrench, I presume?[ALL/1998] posted by Jarrod on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 9:58 p.m.
This is a great idea. I would like to create a database style listing (another coming soon item) that people could fill out. Even if there is no way to gaurantee that the recommendation is good, I think there is enough good advice going around here to trust any volunteered information.
My suggestion for the Twin Cities area:
Gorshe Brothers
800 14th ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612.331.2305
Volvo lovers on board. Ask for Dan. Bought a 140
from one of the mechanics who had trouble giving it up.
Good guys. Recently someone reported to me that they took their vehicle there on my adive and they very pleased.
-jarrod
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by Steve Seekins on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 7:03 a.m.
Well - no names in Portland, though I will be visiting there on the weekend of Dec 12 - maybe I can find one!
However, there are several good independent shops in the Metro Washington, DC area.
In VA:
Reston Volvo Service - Mark Bredesen, Owner
Reston, VA (703) 471-4494
Swedish Specialists - Bob Drye, Owner
8249-C Backlick Road
Lorton, VA (703) 550-7777
Viking Automotive - Dave Marthens, Owner
14500-B Lee Road
Chantilly, VA (703) 817-0650
and (of course) the place where I spend my Saturdays
Martin Motorsports, Inc. - Gary Martin, Owner
120 Gordon Road
Falls Church, VA (703) 534-9860
In MD - right on the DC line:
Bethesda import Specialists - Mike Cunningham, Owner
5440 Butler Road
Bethesda, MD (301) 656-0056
All of the shops specialize in Vollvo, some also service Saab. Prices are not necessarily cheap, but quality of work is good and they are honest.
Steve Seekins
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by Eric Nevalainen on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 8:02 a.m.
One place you may wish to start your research is at Cartalk.com. They have built a database of mechanics by state, city, and make of vehicle. It may not be as good as a personal recommendation, but it's a place to start.
Two other decent places to take 'yer brick in the St. Paul/Mpls area:
Eurotech
2002 W Cty Road C
Roseville MN 55112
612-639-0579
A bit on the spendy side....but they do good work, they are a BOSH factory auth. service center.
Roseville Auto Service
1900 Oakcrest Av
Roseville MN 55112
612-639-0449
The owner is a member of VSA and drives a P1800. He's more than willing to install customer purchaced parts, and his rates are VERY reasonable. Very 'brickwise.
While Gorshe Bros. is still the best, these guys still deserve honorable mention.
Best,
Eric
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by Thom Geer on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 10:52 a.m.
If you are ever in Cape Cod...
Falmouth Mutual on Main Street in Falmouth MA is a good shop. Ask for Paul, he is an honest guy and solid mechanic. They are not an exclusive Volvo shop but the do good work. Paul lends me tools to work on my 1800 and I just recently bought a 83 wagon from them.
Little Foreign Car, also in Falmouth is NOT a good shop to go to! Any indication would be the 50' Wooden Sailboat that the Mr. Little must maintain! He also has several other boats so watch out. I took my 1800s there when I first got it and needed to install a clutch. I didn't have the tools nor a car to go get them. It took him 2.5 dayz. He installed a new fuel line and did "a little tuning to get her running" When I picked up the car he said that "she runs great" I noticed that the generator light was on and mentioned it. He said it would go out once she warmed up a little. I was inexperienced enough to pay the guy well let me just say WAY too much for the job. I turned on the headlights and took off for what would be my maiden voyage in the car. 6 miles later I stopped because of a loud scraping sound coming from the right front wheel. The lug nuts on the wheel were so loose I was surprised it hadn't fallen off. When I tried to restart it, it was dead. No power at all. Forunately I was on a hill and able to roll it. On my way back to the shop I saw Eric Little in the grocery store parking lot, this is a really small town. I took the car back to the shop and they looked it over the next day. I was told I needed a new generator a new regulator and it would cost around $400! I went to the car and took it to a friend who noticed that the wire to the generator was broken ... It was then that I noticed that the Overdrive wires had not been reconnected after they installed the clutch. I had no reverse lights and no OD. I had to open the acess panel and fix the things myself. No big deal except I had already paid someone to take care of it.
well that is my bad garage story. Anyone else want to share?
thom
1968 1800s
1983 245
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by Bill on
Saturday, 22 November 1997, at 12:20 a.m.
In the LA area:
The one shop I have found that I trust is Morris Motors (aka the Volvo Doctor), owner is Jerry Morris. Works on Volvos and Saabs. Runs an honest place at very reasonable prices. Always done good work for me.
Address: 19050 Hawthorne Blvd. Torrance, Ca. 90503
Phone: 310-370-9426
EMAIL: morris@volvodoctor.com
Re: Recommend volvo mechanics by local city?[ALL/1998] posted by Bill Matthews on
Tuesday, 25 November 1997, at 9:45 p.m.
In the Western Philadelphia-Northern Delaware area an unqualified recommmendation for Dougherty Automotive Services. A large independent specializing in Volvo, Saab, Porsche and other European makes. Outstanding service attitude and they know their Volvos. They have helped me with mods for my 855T and are much better with my 73 1800ES than the local dealer.
Dougherty Automotive Services
720 East Nields St.(rt 202 Westown rd exit)
West Chester PA 19382
610-692-6039
Fax:610-692-2986