Looking for a decent certified mechanic in the Redmond/Bellevue/Seattle area

[y2kpitt]

Hi all, after joining this forum last summer and reading a few of the threads my wife and I purchased a 1998 V70CX with just over 45k miles. I figured this to be a fairly low amount of miles given the fact that the vehicle was seven years old at the time we bought it. Now I’ve got a small oil leak starting and some other minor things that a dealer’s shop will nickel and dime me on. I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a trusted independent mechanic here in the Northwest. On a personal note my wife and I got this car because we were having or first child, our boy is a healthy buddle of joy and our Volvo has been about the same. Compared to our friend’s Outback we couldn’t have made a better choice, we just want to make sure we keep it running for a good long time. Thanks in advance for the advice

[Edmonds17]

You were smart to buy a '98 XC. '99 and later have the infamous throttle body defect.
We take our '00 XC to Viking Motors on Hwy. 99 in Edmonds. Steve King is the owner. He's there in the shop every day. Viking Motors in 3-4 blocks North of the Aurora Costco (if you know where that is.)
You might also want to talk to Daisywagon Motors on Roosevel Way just North of the U District. About 60th or so. I know a number of people that are very happy with Daiseywagon.
Neither of these places are particularly convenient to the Eastside. We bought our XC from Barrier. You are smart to avoid them.
Hope this is helpful.
Edmonds17

[seaczar]

Another newbie lurker here...

Just had the 90K service done at Daisywagen on our 98 V70 XC and am very pleased. Service was great, they didn't push anything on me, and recommended holding off on some repairs that weren't critical (air filter was clean and didn't need replacing, fan temp control was faulty but ECC worked fine, and air pump motor was loud but not failing).

Dropped it off by 8a, had it by 3:30pm. The desk manager, Tracy, knows his stuff too. Give em a call.

5701 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, 98105 - (206) 522-4664

And to echo the many sentiments here, we love our 98 V70 XC. Bought it in May05 with 80K for the same reason as y2kpitt, though our little bundle doesn't arrive for 4 more weeks (we hope no sooner).

Congrats on the purchase and good luck with the repairs.

[willi77]

I, too, have a 98xc here on the Eastside (Woodinville). I love my car, but have had to do some work on it and my 99 s70. I take my cars to Sandberg Northwest Volvo in Lynnwood for a couple of reasons.

They have courtesy loaners - free for anyone. I just got back from having the car in for a couple of sensors and was driving a brand new s80 and s40.

They don't oversell. They tell me what is happening, ask if I want to proceed with the work, and advise me. I buy all of my parts from there and a mechanic actually tells me the way to install and they print out instructions for me.

No, I don't work for them, nor am I rich. But the little extra I pay buys great service and peace of mind.

Hope this helps!
- Bill

[y2kpitt]

All, thanks for the great advice I'm going to Sanberg. I live in Duvall so getting to Daisywagon across the lake is a little to much. But I will say that my wife did go have it serviced at Barrier :mad: I will skip the gory details but trust me there are better/cheapier shops.

[codeyf]

How did Sandberg work out as far as price? How about parts? I'm looking to buy the heavy duty sway bar links and the right tie rod end from IPD. Total cost about $120.