Larry's Volvo Repair & Service

03/27/11

Amazed at the integrity and dlighted by the service.

by VancouverHarveys at Citysearch

Many Thanks to Warren and the team at “Larry’s Volvo” in Seattle!

My wife and I were bowled over by Warren’s generosity, his compassion for a fellow human, and his integrity. We were about to make a three and a half hour drive home from visiting Seattle when the engine began to die immediately after starting. We stopped for gas at the Costco and when I tried to start the car again it was more difficult to keep it running. Worse, the dreaded “Check Engine” light was on. With our three boys in the back seat of our 2002 Cross Country, my wife and I pondered our next move on a Sunday 180 miles from home. I got out my iPhone and searched the web for Volvo shops in the area and found Larry’s Volvo. We got the car started and kept it running for the two and a half mile trip to the driveway at Larry’s where I parked the car and couldn’t get it to move again. I got out and walked around to the front of the shop to look for an afterhours key drop box and noticed another Volvo driving past. I went back to my car to plan our next move (find a hotel and then a taxi ride) when Warren walked up to my car. It was Warren who had driven by and seen me looking around the shop so he stopped. I explained my predicament and Warren said that they could make time to look at my car in the morning. Warren must have felt some compassion for our family of 5 stranded in an unfamiliar town because the next thing I knew, he was handing me the keys to his car! I didn’t know what to say beyond “Thank You” and we made plans to touch base the next day. That night, my wife and I were both pondering how much this was all going to cost us. When we contacted Warren the next day, he told us that the mechanics had looked the car over carefully and had put about thirty miles on the car but they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. I topped off the tank in Warren’s car and drove back to pick up our mysteriously fine vehicle. I was calculating what Warren might charge us as he explained the time his team had spent on our car when he handed me the keys. When I asked Warren how much I owed him for the diagnostic service he replied that, since they hadn’t really done any work on my car, there was no charge. I was truly humbled by this man’s integrity, compassion, ad generosity.

If your Volvo needs work and you’re in Seattle, take it to Larry’s Volvo. You’ll be glad you did!

03/10/11

Not Recommended, competent but sneaky~

by zacharyzoosh at Citysearch

I went to Larry's Volvo only because they have a decent website with a video and bios of all their techs.

Plus they have a new customer $25 off coupon.

So I went for an oil change.

I also told them that I had a check engine light and if they had time to look into that, that I'd be curious to know what that is, in case they might want to solicite other services, but I made it clear that I wanted only an oil change on my bill, and if they couldn't look at the error codes for free, then it was okay and I would understand.

All in all, they seemed to do a good oil change, and looked over the car pretty well, although, they ended up charging me to look at the codes, and in the end, even though the bill said $25 off, the math didn't add up, and I paid $118 for an oil change.

I didn't like that.

Most other shops that I've been to go out of their way to do something extra nice for a first time customer.

I've owned many Saabs, and Scanwest would do that kind of stuff, like throw in a free part (if I was missing some small plastic peice, or need a dipstick)

I also went online and looked for some parts to compare the prices that they quoted me, and I found them for much cheaper online (which is normal to an extent) but these "Larry" guys over priced simple things more than I would have expected.

And its not like I know nothing about cars. I went right in and gave them very specific instructions about the issues, and details of the car.

I like my Volvo, but I won't go back to this shop. Sorry guys!!!

09/06/08

Best repair service for your Volvo

by richardkemkers at Citysearch

Larry's Volvo's owner Warren is the type of person you would trust your Volvo to. Always good advice, fair prices, and most importantly he is HONEST. If something does not work out, he will go out of his way to get it fixed. A few times he did not even charge us when the problem was not completely fixed.

08/26/08

Should have stayed with larry's Volvo, won't try anywhere else again!

by Julee7 at Citysearch

I made a BIG mistake after reading a review by "the shaft" and tried the repair shop he recommended. Boy, was that a mistake! I had more problems getting the car fixed correctly after they worked on it. The guys at the other shop were nice enough but I just didn't get the "vibe" I got when going to Larry's Volvo. I tried to save a few dollars with the other shop but ended up back at Larry's to get my Volvo fixed right. Warren, the owner of Larry's wouldn't say one bad thing about the other shop telling me that "everyone has a bad day sometimes" Warren always took care of me when I had a problem with a repair and even when he pointed out and proved it was not even related to the repairs they did, ( I was so embarrassed ) he didn't charge me! WOW, can you believe that? It's true, Warren really wants to have a happy customer and told me he felt bad that I had to come back in before my next oil change. I know times are hard right now with gas and food prices so high and everyone wanting to save a buck or two, but don't try skimping on getting your car fixed. I learned the hard way and Warren if you read this, I promise, promise, promise I won't take my car anywhere else but to Larry's Volvo from now on!!!!

• Pros: FAIR PRICING, INTERNET ACCESS, ON #36 BUS LINE TO DOWNTOWN
• Cons: HAVE TO PARK DOWN THE STREET SOMETIMES

04/24/08

I was wrong about Larry's... sort of.

by adampeart at Citysearch

My original review read as follows: So, I took my XC V70 into Larry's about six months ago. They diagnosed that I had a problem with my drive shaft, likely the front universal joint. At that time they quoted me $450 to fix it. I didn't have the money at that time so I waited on making the repair. Two months ago I had them replace a CV boot, and they reminded me of the drive shaft issue. I asked the tall fellow there what he thought it would cost to fix it. He said "even if the whole drive shaft needed to be replaced it would only be $800." So, last week, having $800 for the repair, I took my car in to have the drive shaft replaced. They called me and said the drive shaft itself was $1,250! At least the labor was only quoted at $91. Not having $1,500 for the repair, and suspicious of the ever increasing estimate on the repair, I took back my car without work being done on it. I got home, called the DEALERSHIP to get a price quote on a new drive shaft, which was $1,063. WTF?! The dealership wanted $200 LESS than what Larry's quoted me! When does that happen, when the dealer is cheaper? So, I got online, and found a new drive shaft in about 15 min. that was $435! And it was shipped to me for FREE in two days. After receiving it, I called and left a message at Larry's asking if they'd be willing to install it for me still. I never got a call back. Funny, considering they had been prompt to call me back in the past. So, I drove over to Emerald City Repair on 4th. Michael at Emerald City was the nicest mechanic I've ever come across. Bonus: Michael used to work at a "Volvo only" shop for years and even owns one. His price for the install? $123. So, by NOT going through Larry's I saved myself about $900, and found myself a great new trustworthy mechanic at Emerald City. Another bonus: I always had to wait a week to get in over at Larry's- Emerald City? Same Day. Warren over at Larry's seems like a nice enough guy, but c'mon! I'm going to get a plasma TV with all the money I saved myself.

Update: DO NOT TAKE YOUR VOLVO TO EMERALD CITY! THEY'RE CLUELESS! I'm going to give Larry's another shot since Emerald City repair f'ing awful job. Though what I said in my original review was true, Warren seems really polite and nice and close to my house and I obviously need a Volvo specialist.

• Pros: Parking, close to home, expert Volvo repairmen
• Cons: Price! Price! Price! Waiting a week or more just to get an appointment.