Volvo Drivers

[KruJoe]

Heads up for a SUPERB backstreet mechanic specialising in Volvos, especially 80's and 90's models.

He is fairly busy with cars from Chiang Mai and other Northern provinces (so he obviously has a widespread reputation), he knows them like the back of his hand, and charges are very reasonable. I've been for a few jobs on my '94 850 2.3 20valve saloon, and have been impressed every time.

Most recently, he removed and repaired my leaking radiator, flushed the system, repainted and refitted it, with new coolant. He called me when it was done (before he said it would be) and charged me less than the quote of 600B.

What the heck could you have done for £12 back in the UK?

He also makes advisory notes on your receipt for problems he has noticed and may need attention soon (and it's not false, fraudulent advice KwikPhit style, I know what's wrong with my car, unlike many).

A lot of Thais warned us against a Volvo or similar due to the expenses in fixing them... but a place like this can make all the difference.

He is outside the Superhighway, but just inside the first ring road on the old Sankampeng road. The entrance is right under the big green highway sign on the left as you're leaving town.

First impressions are a dusty, tin-pot operation, but give it a try!

Can I post a phone number here without incurring wrath?

Edited December 26, 2010 by metisdead
Name of shop removed. Do not post phone number,

[mallyrd]

What is your percentage holding in this outfit?

[KruJoe]

0%.

You old cynic!

If it were anything to do with me, the place would be smartened up a bit. But I'm not. So it won't.

Just a friendly heads up for fellow Volvo driving forum members.

[transam]

Problem with Volvo's is the cost of a Volvo part. If they can fix or fabricate then fine. Loved my old 760 V6 auto Estate. which was very reliable but l remember a bottom hose 10 years back was £35 in the UK.

[KruJoe]

That IS an issue, but it seems to be the only thing that many Thais say when you mention 'Volvo'.

To me, taking that into account, Volvos in LOS seem to be very good value against the Jap brands: they are so much nicer to sit inside (especially if you find one that isn't all black inside). And safety? There's no comparison. Just an all round better car for the same money. I'm not a Volvo man, this is the first I've owned, and I drive a Japanese car in the UK!

In my experience, the times you really need one of the expensive imported genuine parts are few and far between. A good mechanic who knows the common faults and fixes is worth his weigh in gold - so much better than your average grease monkey who spends most of his time with old Corollas and Nissan NVs.

My 850 also burst a hose - a small one on the back of the engine (could happen to any 15 year old car reaching the top of Doi Suthep!) We nursed the car back to town and yer man whipped off the hose.

It was a strange shape with several bends in it at different angles, but he came back after five minutes on his Honda Dream with a very similar looking piece of hose. It went straight on and works just fine, but I'm 99% sure it wasn't the proper Volvo part, but what does that matter? The whole job cost 320 Baht.

What I'm saying is, they can usually find a cheap and effective way to solve a problem if they know what they're doing.

However he has recommended a new front wishbone because there's some play in the lower ball joint (which I knew). Unfortunately, it isn't possible to swap in a new ball joint like many older cars, so it needs the whole piece, for which he has quoted about 3000B (£60)! It's these things that are the killers.

I also need a few more bits and pieces - trim etc, and in the UK, these cars are SO cheap - scrap money - so what I'll do next time I go back is buy a similar one in fairly good condition for about £200 (ebay is my friend), strip the useful bits off it and send them over here, sell the engine for £100 or so, wheels and tyres for a bit less, and weigh in the rest, and I'll have all the parts I need here for free!

This one just sold on ebay uk for £210.99, with MoT until May:

I'm luckier than most that I have that option, but even if I didn't, I still think Volvos are a comparatively good value choice here.

I just try not to compare prices of like for like old cars between the UK and Thailand! Depressing.

edit..spelling

Edited December 27, 2010 by KruJoe

[up-country_sinclair]

Are Volvos subject to import tax in Thailand?

Edited December 27, 2010 by up-country_sinclair

[backfromouterspace]

Are Volvos subject to import tax in Thailand?

Not any more. As part of the deal that will allow Ikea to open their new flagship store in 2011, Volvo, along with all imports of Smorgasbord, were granted exemption from import duties. Safe driving and all the herring you can eat!