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I think you're putting all the blame for the entire Volvo structure upon your local dealer. Maybe they just suck--it seems that you have enough to substantiate that.
Dealers are in the business to make money. There are some good ones, and some bad ones.
If you never shop around, you never run across the used car stores or independent dealerships who actually DO provide good products and services. It takes time, but they are often the places you don't see advertised, but DO hear about by word of mouth. The shop and used car store I worked in didn't take ANY MORE CUSTOMERS because we had so much work. We were only servicing what we sold, and then a little bit on top of that, usually people who got referred or people we knew, or friends of customers. You get the idea. Like the top doctor's offices that don't accept new patients. That usually tells you something, when you have to know someone there to get a service appointment. But if you do, or if you can find the hookup, you are set up for a long time. Imagine getting $75 timing belt replacement. T-belt, 3 seals, pump, and tensioner, w/labor included $225. 100k service (belt, seals, accessory belts, tune up, cap/rotor/wires/axle service/trans flush/air filter/power steering flush/etc., $600. Dealer cost was over $1800 for the same stuff. And a lot of freebies if the problem was just a wayward check engine light or whatnot. We did BIG stuff too; engines, turbos, trannys, whatever. Just do some shopping around and see what you come up with.
Today someone from 350 miles away dropped by the shop to ask about service, since he had heard, by word of mouth, that there might be a Volvo expert (actually several) in the house. That's the kind of place I'm talking about.
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1992 940 wagon, low miles
as well as others.
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