Hello...
I'm looking at getting my first Volvo (used).
I've read that Volvos should be worked on by "Volvo people" (not just your everyday mechanic.
The nearest Volvo dealer is around 4 hours away, so I can't just be running it around to get things checked out.
Does anyone know someone that would be appropriate in the Springfield, MO, area?
Thanks...
JJ

 

JJ,

Really it boils down to your mechanic level. If you are mechanically inclined most if not all your questions can be answered on these forums. There are lots of videos, etc to help along the way. The groups can answer any questions you have before your purchase too.

 

Just because a dealer is 4 hours away doesn't mean you can't get your car serviced. I have a 1995 and a 2000 and neither has seen a dealer in about 5 years. Parts are easy enough to find and my local indy is happy to work on them. The only time I got turned away was when an airbag needed to be replaced and when inquired about the heater core (ok that one I can do myself). A quick check on Repair Pal shows three certified Volvo repair shops in Springfield, Mo (Rick's Automotive at 2121 S Campbell Ave is listed as 5 stars - you can drive over and talk to them before you buy). BTW, european cars all have similar designs and similar parts suppliers (Bosch, Boge Sachs etc and many have an Aisin transmission - same as Toyota) so to call out Volvo as being different or difficult is not accurate.

 

Thanks for the information...

I have a minor amount of mechanic skill (can wrench on a Jeep).
I'm not sure that I want to go so far as to replace the timing belt or something, but I can do a few things.
I think my limit is 5 steps.
Hehehe...
If it's more involved than that, I might not attempt it.

Some of the things, that I've read, just seems specific to Volvo (like the radio being integral to the functioning of the sunroof).
I wasn't sure if there were a lot of things, like that.

I assume places like Rick's would be fine for normal maintenance cycles.
JJ

 

I'm in Springfield as well. There is a Volvo shop on 60 towards Republc. Have not used them...yet.

 

For future reference considers Denis' Volvo. He is considered by many to be Springfield's best Volvo mechanic. He fixed the window lift mechanism in my c70 for a drivers power window that would not shut (common issue) for I believe about $400. Very knowledgeable on volvos been working on them for many years. He showed me a P1800 restoration he was working on. Yelp review page here. Four different five star reviews:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/denis-volvo...t_creative=dWJ
MtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuhtA&utm_campaign=yelp_api&utm_medi um=api_v2_business&utm_source=dWJMtmYxpd5N5yoyzSuh tA

I have seen the volvo repair shop on 60 towards Republic (Christopher's Imports). Denis did not have anything good to say about their work.