Does anyone know of a great place to find parts on line in canada. Buying from the US really sucks when you add duty and exchange.

Here is my experience in dealing with the US and parts. I ordered a $1.00 oil cap gasket from the us. The company was supposed to just put it in th4e mail with a stamp. They sent it by courier which cost $15 us that is about 25 cdn. I then was asked to pay duty on this and a brokerage fee. The total was going to be about 45 cdn for a $1. part. so much for free trade. I believe free trade only works on parts manufactured in the US.

The car I am looking at is a 82 200 series. The guy indicates it burns some oil (I haven't heard the car running yet, will this weekend) The body is in great shape it is a 2 door with a manual transmission. I am not sure if it will be rings or just needing to do the head? Anyone know what usually goes on the 200 series? Secondly, it needs a battery which is not a big deal. He is not someone who has appreciated volvo he just happens to have owned one. He is not a young kid so it hasn't been abused that I would know of but he only wants about $500 so I don't think I can go wrong unless it is habitual like a bmw I once owned that needs ball joints every 40k.km. Is there other cronic problems with the 200 series?

It would not make sense to get an oil cap gasket from the States. The dealer, or a junk yard would be the easiest places to get that in Canada. You can get common parts like calipers, mufflers, pads etc. from lots of places in Canada. Canadian tire has some parts (I don't trust the quality of these), and most Auto parts places like UAP have parts too. The best source I have found is Altrom, but they will only sell to shops, except on the internet site mentioned in another post. Altrom also carries a lot of more specific parts for Volvos, like fuel injection parts and gaskets. In most cases their prices work out about the same as American mail order prices once all the extra costs are factored in. Another place in Canada is Swedish motors in Toronto.
240s usually don't have engine problems. They usually rust out before the engine wears out. And with the piles of rusted out cars with red blocks sitting in junk yards in Canada its probably cheaper to get a used block than the repair one with internal problems. There could be lots of other issues with a car that old,such as calipers, but most repairs are usually not that expensive on 240s.

I know what you mean about duty (brokerage fees etc.). Exchange rates I don't mind.

Anyhow, volvoworld.com was mentioned a few days back. An outfit in Montreal?
I've visited their page. Seems okay.
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'80..245..M46...b21a..SU carb..

Try.... http://www.altrom.com/

I haven't ordered from them yet, but the prices seem pretty good.

Rob in Niagara

They seem kind of pricey to me. This is the same company that most shops get their parts from, but these prices are much higher than what they pay. There is no duty anymore actually. The tax you pay on american orders is GST. You would pay that on Canadian orders anyway. If you specify US mail (not UPS) the handling fee is only about 5 bucks. The last time I ordered from FCP groton they said it would take 4 to 6 weeks by US mail, but I had the parts in my hand in less than 2. Postage is what gets you on heavy or bulky stuff.

Forgive me for being ignorant .... but don't we have free trade?
Wasn't that was NAFTA all about?
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Happy Motoring Miguel '86 244 and '87 245

http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/nafta/chap-031.asp#A304
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Happy Motoring Miguel '86 244 and '87 245

Here in Alberta - i still buy from

I have friends/rellies south of the border. We live 6 hours north of the border, the total one-way trip takes 8 - 10 hours.

About 2 - 3 times per year I put in a large order, have it ground shipped to my friend's place just south of the line. Then I load up the family - take a 4 day vacation, and let my Volvo pay for it.

Legally each person in the car is allowed $200CDN duty and GST free if we are in the USA for 48 hours or more.

Usually I buy $300 - $500 USD of parts - things I know will need replacing or plan to replace as part of regular maintenance. I save $400 - $1000 CDN per trip.

Typically I save 60% - 70%, Sometimes more.

Example - inner tie rod - here in Alberta - $96CDN + GST. - fcpgroton - $19USD - no GST. ($24CDN)

Last month I had an alignment shop say I needed a left ball joint replaced - thier quote for parts was $106CDN + GST. I went home to my parts shelf and returned with a new one - my cost $19USD.

So I load up on Mann oil filters, and the maintenance items I plan on using.
They ground freight items for about $10 USD, almost right across USA - one week ETA.


Some items are just as cheap here in Alberta.

A jobber quoted me $106 for rear brake pads - I ordered a set from teh USA for $15 USD. Then I called Canadian Tire - their price was $22CDN - not enough of a difference to go south.

Canadian Tire is good for master brake cylinders, and a lot of "generic" maintenace parts and rebuildable parts.

You are right about ground shipping or mail - duty, brokerage fees, take the fun out of it.

With a bit of planning you may enjoy a vacation "free."

Good Luck.

Best prices are still mail order from USA (or Sweden for some older stuff.) I have had orders come in (sometimes) with no gst or duty charged, mostly ground shipments. Mail shipments always have gst and maybe a bit of duty charged. We would have to pay the gst anyway if buying in Canada.

Good luck!