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Has anybody driven a 940 through Mexico, in particular Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta? Just wondering what kind of service is available and what one does for parts if something packs up?
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Dear muskox37,
Hope you're well. In view of reported road conditions (rough) and a lack of spare parts (offset by ingenious car-fixers), why not simply rent a car in Mexico? Rentals will be of a type common in Mexico, so your vehicle will attract no particular attention. And, if there's a problem - unlikely, as most rental cars are fairly new - car rental companies have ways to send help.
You should presume, from my comments as to travel risks, that I'm deeply familiar with Mexico's public safety problems. You should further presume, that I've spent a fair amount of time in places, wherein public safety is minimal at best.
In any country, there are always areas - neighborhoods, cities, states/provinces - that are more dangerous than others. Absent a compelling reason, residents go not into such areas, without a compelling reason. A visitor is more likely inadvertently to enter such an area.
I wrote to advise You of risks in certain Mexican states, and of the special nature of those risks. Some knowingly go in harm's way. Many, go in harm's way, without knowing they do so. I did not want you to be among the latter.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Thanks to all of your for your opinions on driving in Mexico. I was really most interested in what to do if our car gets into trouble but I do appreciate all of the cautions and the encouragements for generally driving in the Mexican environment.
I helped a couple drive their vehicle from Victoria to Ajijic about fifteen years ago and was impressed with the quality of the toll roads and the general driving conditions. My companions had been driving to Ajijic for over thirty years without incident. But they both told me to not drive at night and to avoid city traffic if at all possible.
But that was fifteen years ago and conditions seem to have deteriorated some since then. I will take heed of your recommendations.
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The road from the border all the way to Tepic is all very good toll road. From Tepic to Puerto Vallarta is two lane road, in pretty good condition, but nothing like the toll road. Right after I said I almost never see a Volvo in Mexico, I spotted a 960, about 1994 vintage right in front of our marina here in La Paz, with South Dakota plates. If he can keep a 960 going in Mexico, a 940 should be a piece of cake.
John
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We managed to get back home safely in the 940 a couple of days ago. I can report that the highways in both Mexico and the United States were generally excellent throughout our trip. The most challenging stretch was the Snoqualmie Pass near Seattle that I opted to use for the return journey. The road surface was fairly rough in a number of spots and it was pouring rain. We saw the results of a serious accident between a semi-trailer and an army Hummer and that was the only accident we saw on the entire trip.
That said I have to admit that trying to find anything in the smaller Mexican cities along the route from Nogales to Puerto Vallarta is a real challenge. The main hotels are not located on the entrances to these cities but rather are in a downtown hotel zone. Street signs are small and intended for pedestrians and cannot be read by a driver in most circumstances. Google maps are a help but I found that I could not trust the locations of hotels being offered up by them. I don't have GPSS but if I were to try this again I would definitely buy an aftermarket product. Not sure if it would work in Mexico however.
The car was a real star. I blew a radiator hose in Casa Grande, Arizona and that was the only problem. This on a car with 305,000 miles on it. I had had it checked out by my local Volvo garage however and had them replace the motor mounts. On their advice I picked up a new battery as well. They warned me about the muffler but it held together the whole way.
Significantly, the car had been leaking a very small amount of coolant ever since I bought it in the spring--perhaps it was trying to tell me something! In true polite Volvo fashion however it chose to blow the lower radiator hose in a wide open shopping mall parking lot that provided ample room for the tow truck to hook up the car and the driver led us to an OK Tire store that managed to get a new hose in by the next morning and by the afternoon we were on our way, pleased with everyone we met during the incident.
I know things could have gone wrong in a very different way, perhaps in Mexico, and count my lucky stars that this was the only car problem in a five thousand mile trip. I thank all of you for your advice, both negative and positive. Really appreciated.
Bob
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Good for you. I'm glad it all went well for you. I'm assuming Mexico was an enjoyable destination as well as the car's performance.
--
A bottle of oil and some basic tools in the trunk. The highway is calling. Always remember the difference between durability and reliability. Embrace the old Volvo in your driveway. She's eager to please and, with a little TLC (and a few headaches), sh
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Good for you. I'm glad it all went well for you. I'm assuming Mexico was an enjoyable destination as well as the car's performance.
--
A bottle of oil and some basic tools in the trunk. The highway is calling. Always remember the difference between durability and reliability. Embrace the old Volvo in your driveway. She's eager to please and, with a little TLC (and a few headaches), sh
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Listen to those croakers down below if you will. The world is a scary place. GWBush has brain washed Americans to believe that we should all stay home. Funny that many US cities are more dangerous than most parts of Mexico. While we have not driven extensively in Mexico, it isn't that bad. Often very different, though. Be prepared for your suspension to get a good workout. There are speed bumps in lots of expected places and some very unexpected places. On divided highways for example. Sometimes it is hard to tell because the only paved part of what you are driving on is the speed bump. There are bad areas where hopelessly bad people do bad things, but that is not most of the country. You will find fantastic vistas and peaceful, friendly people. We have walked through areas in Puebla and other towns where cars are repaired at the side of the road from hole-in-the-wall shops, often equiped with the machine tools to make the part that you need. I've seen tie rods and control arms built to suit, almost while you wait. The ingenuity is impressive.
--
09 V70, 06 Camry, 03 Mini
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I will probably prepared a nice kit that will contain items that can get me stranded:
1. Alternator relay
2. Fan Motor, relay
3. Starter
4. Temp sensor, plus thermostat
5. Spare fuel pump
6. Cap rotor
7. Spare plug wires
You get the point!!!
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i have driven a 940 in mexico.
if you do not speak spanish or have someone along who can you will be in a pickle in rural areas and will not be able to smooth matters if you get in a jam. learn a bit and carry a good dictionary.
that said if i were you and had the money beside s a basic tool kit i would bring a spare:
crank sensor
timing belt
water pump kit
cap and rotor
you can get by with bad power steering a bad oil leak etc etc but the item i mentioned will get you going quickly if you lose one of them and have to wait you might have a long wait.
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I live in Texas near Mexico and have travelled in Mexico extensively in my Volvo. I actually just had my 940 painted in Mexico last month in Nuevo Leon. I'd go without any hesitation. The ability to speak Spanish helps immensely, particularly the further away from the US border you get and the more rural area you go to. If you can't speak Spanish, at least become familiar with basic travel Spanish and pronunciations. I can't imagine not speaking Spanish fluently if I found myself in a sticky situation. It really helps a lot
I've never been on the Pacific side of Mexico on a road trip so I can't vouch for that area, but I've been down in some very rural places. I've gone down the Gulf Coast into the Yucatan and Caribbean Coast. The worst think I've encountered that I couldn't handle myself was a flat tire. I mounted the spare and had it fixed at a gas station. I carry a basic complement of tools and parts just in case.
Volvos in Mexico:
They're not common, especially outside of metropolitan areas. Monterrey and Mexico City are the only places I've ever seen more than one Volvo. Most Volvo dealers in Mexico are European dealers who "also" carry Volvo but they're not really common anywhere. Nissan, Ford, and Volkswagen are the most common cars and are basically universal.
There are, however, a lot of Volvo Buses but that's irrelevant to us.
Fueling:
Their grades of gas are different...if you have a US Spec car, get the highest grade of fuel called "Premium". The lower grade, "Magna," is regular 85-87 depending on elevation but supposedly has higher sulfur. No, they do NOT have leaded fuel anymore. Pemex is the only gas station in Mexico and full service is mandatory nationwide...every gas station they can provide at least a basic degree of check of the car.
Service availability:
Many gas stations also offer a mechanic/service center on site, much like used to be commonplace in the United States. They can provide basic service, tires, hoses, etc. Aside from those, there are plenty of competent mechanics who can help you if you run into trouble. Even in the smallest towns, you'll find someone who can work on a car for you in exchange for cash. US-spec cars are commonplace in Mexico, so don't feel like you're driving something completely alien to them. They see everything at one point or another and a RWD Volvo will pose no challenge. Mexican people are highly adept at dealing with vehicles in disrepair so be not afraid.
Parts Availability:
There are auto parts stores just like the United States and they can get parts for nearly everything. "Auto Todo" is a big auto parts chain down there that's owned by NAPA. They can find parts for US Spec vehicles for the basic stuff. Lots of other places sell car parts.
If you can't get a critical part:
Get yourself a good Mexican mechanic to rig something up to get you home.
FCP Ships internationally and will send to you if you're an established US customer. If you get hung in Mexico and need a part and cannot find it, you can have them ship to you down in Mexico, wherever you're at...prepare to pay for shipping. I've never had to go that route, but it's there if you need assurances that you'll be able to get a part if need be.
To find authorize service centers:
http://www.volvocars.com/mx/footer/pages/dealer-locator.aspx
Carry with you:
Mexican Insurance (US car insurance is invalid in Mexico, available on US side before crossing)
Cash - Mexican Pesos...Guaranteed acceptance everywhere
Basic Toolset
Belts/Hoses
Duct Tape
First Aid Kit
Coolant, Oil, Fire Extinguisher
Water, food, blankets in case you're stranded
--
A bottle of oil and some basic tools in the trunk. The highway is calling. Always remember the difference between durability and reliability. Embrace the old Volvo in your driveway. She's eager to please and, with a little TLC (and a few headaches), sh
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I have been going to Mexico regularly for the last ten years. I am in La Paz right now. I have almost never seen a Volvo down here. The most common cars in Mexico seem to be Volkswagens and Nissans.
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So am I some kind of fool to take this car to Puerto Vallarta?
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A fool? Not at all. Life's an adventure. You're doing due diligence by asking questions, which is the opposite of foolishness.
Language is your biggest barrier. It's not like France...try to speak what little Spanish you know...it's possible to get by on just what you learned in high school Spanish or what not, but I wouldn't go if I wasn't fluent in Spanish (I am) or had a friend with me who was fluent. You won't have any issues with language in any major resort area like Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta. English speakers are prevalent. The rural areas are more difficult. People just don't speak English in those parts and it's tough to get by if you run into trouble with your car. Negotiations in price and such can get complicated with limited knowledge of Spanish. In addition, in many rural areas, literacy is an issue...as in Spanish speakers who cannot read or write in any language...much like some rural areas of the U.S.
People create pictures in their heads of Mexico being this overtly shady place...an entire country populated by war-lords who prey on Americans with a bunch of crazies riding in the back of pickups with machine guns looking to shoot up an old Volvo full of gringos, rob them, hold them hostage, etc. The fact is that millions of people cross the border into Mexico from the United States and millions of them end up going back just fine. Attacks on foreigners are exceptionally rare, so rare that when they do occur it's big news. You're more likely to be killed on the drive in a car accident than be attacked by a group of cartel hit-men.
Those state department warnings, while good information, are often used as leverage in trade negotiations...they put out these dire warnings to travelers as a way of depriving Mexico of tourist dollars to ratchet up pressure for one trade agreement or another. Although rooted in fact, they're highly political and sensationalized for maximum effect.
Mexico is fine, but it's a foreign country with different customs, language, etc. Be prepared for any contingency and just be precautious. No guns, no drugs, keep in touch with your family, etc. You can also inform your consulate of where you're going if it makes you feel better.
I'm just used to Mexico so it's not that big of a deal to me.
--
A bottle of oil and some basic tools in the trunk. The highway is calling. Always remember the difference between durability and reliability. Embrace the old Volvo in your driveway. She's eager to please and, with a little TLC (and a few headaches), sh
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Dear prophet21,
Hope you're well. Since December, 2006, in narco-related violence some 80,000 Mexicans are thought to have been killed, and 26,000 "disappeared". That averages 1,200/month, so the violence is not "small potatoes".
Sometimes, State Department travel advisories are correct. This is one of them.
I limited my warning to Mexico's border states. There are problems elsewhere, e.g., in Michoacán and Guerrero (Acapulco). By contrast, Cancún or Cozumel should be perfectly fine.
I did not suggest that anyone would target the driver/passengers in a 20-year-old Volvo. That's not likely. More likely: narcotraficantes "doing business" use machineguns to settle a dispute. Bullets have no brains....
Seeking adventure - i.e., taking a wrong turn and happening upon a wonderful restaurant - is one thing. Getting caught in the middle of a firefight is another.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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The good news is, nobody will be interested in stealing it. The bad news is parts are going to be unavailable, and it is very difficult to have anything shipped in. On the other hand, Mexicans are adept at repairing anything with duct tape and bailing wire.
John
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Dear muskox37,
Hope you're well. Mexico's northern states, i.e., those that adjoin the US frontier, are locus of a war between drug traffickers and the Mexican authorities. Travel in/through such states necessarily involves death danger risk. It takes only a few milliseconds for any place to go from tranquil to warzone.
See the US State Department's travel advisory - updated as of 9 January 2014 - at: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ca%2Ftravelwarnings+%28%24{TravelWarnings}%29 .
A key paragraph in the State Department's advisory: "Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region, and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers' demands have reported that they were not physically harmed. Carjackers have shot at vehicles that have attempted to flee. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, even drivers of old sedans and buses coming from the United States have been targeted. While violent incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, they most frequently occur at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads ("cuotas") whenever possible."
I believe that foreigners, with rare exceptions, may not lawfully take firearms into Mexico: to do so without authority is a criminal offense. Even if foreigners could lawfully be armed in Mexico, narco-traffickers routinely commit multiple murders. I'd guess that narco-traffickers are equipped with top-notch weapons.
The bottom line: if You must travel to Puerto Vallarta, arrive by plane and minimize your time there.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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