For the first two years of owning my brick, I lived in suburban San Diego and could regularly wrench on it when I needed to. For the last year and a half, I have lived in San Francisco, the brick doesn't get driven much and I recently decided to get some repair and upgrade work done. The prices, I thought, would really engage some of you. It makes it upsetting that I can't just work on the car in the street. It's almost enought make me rent a garage.

I take my brick to an all Volvo shop near Berkeley, California. If they weren't really good people, I'd balk at the prices.

The steering rack, ball joints and shocks (front and rear (Boge)) are being replaced. Total: $1567.62. All Volvo parts. Steering Rack - $559.78; Front Shocks - $375.00; Rear Shocks - $280.00; Ball Joints (2) $127.84; Labor - $225.

Brakes (new front rotors and pads, new rear pads). Total: $412.90. Woo-hoo! All OEM/Bendix parts. Front rotor (2) - $206.00; Front pads - $44.95; I just realized they didn't write up the rear pads, say $44.95; Labor - $117.00.

6,000 Mile Service (Oil Change and "Inspection", using my Mann Filter and my Mobil 1) - $58.50!!!!!!

The interior tailgate panel of the wagon was breaking away from the door and there is a repair kit for this, evidently. Total: 148.99!!!!! (Part - $49.99; Labor $90.00).

Of course there are some shims and fluid.

It comes to about $2300 (with the pads they forgot). I ought to by a house in pacific Heights at these rates. One with a really huge garage.

Enjoy,

Joe