- Thread starter SocialZealot
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Experiences with Vladimir's Paint Shop in Sosua? Other recommendations?
In the US there are lawyers who require mechanics to be careful as they could be easily sued for an subsequent accident or shoddy repairs - and they all must carry shop insurance.
Most all US shops have hydraulic lifts (which about 70% of shops here don't) and they also have full diagnostic computers and roll out professional tool boxes including specialty tools - not a hammer, 2 screw drivers and a rusty pair of pliers). Ever see a micrometer in a shop here ? Even a torque wrench is rare.
They also put covers over your fenders to protect the finish. In DR they don't care if they scratch your new car.
I remember the old sand blast stations for cleaning spark plugs - Why you don't see them anymore is because spark plugs are a disposable item now, like many things. Starters, Alternators & AC Compressors are not repaired in shop anymore, they are exchanged for a re-manufactured unit (and they are quite as good as new).
Times have changed and as cars get more complex it will require more technical expertise.
Maybe William Webster's mechanic in Nagua is worth the drive - since he has had some recent certification in NY. I just wonder how long it takes him to get parts for a car there ? William did he ever find the chrome strip for the back of your MUX you dented ?
Yes and while everyone is chortling over the great savings they get from their mechanics here, what about having to pay 2 to 2.5 times the price of the same model vehicle (in worse condition, with no reliable Car Fax) than you would pay up North.
So you pay $20,000 for a $9,000 car then you 'save' because you get your mechanic to 'repair' it for 1/4 the cost and you are happy it still runs with 50% of the screws and bolts ?
I suspect if you add it up, you are way ahead of repair costs with that $11,000 in savings from the purchase date. That actually could buy you a backup vehicle in the States or Canada.
One other thing - shops here seldom guarantee their work, nor the parts they do buy for your car. So that $120 alternator fails ? Oops well drop it off we will fix it again for another $100
The glass and the strip were installed in just a few days....
My friend's 2001 Jaguar needed a windshield...
Delivered and installed in two days.... unbelievable
These repairs are by Pablo (Nagua too )... no English but great work.
He fixes everything...
That Jag is getting all new brakes, suspension and more
Sure - my pal flew in most of those parts - but the work is chugging along
eg
The rotors etc that he flew in were 1/4 the local price
not to mention availability
My friend's 2001 Jaguar needed a windshield...
Delivered and installed in two days.... unbelievable
These repairs are by Pablo (Nagua too )... no English but great work.
He fixes everything...
That Jag is getting all new brakes, suspension and more
Sure - my pal flew in most of those parts - but the work is chugging along
eg
The rotors etc that he flew in were 1/4 the local price
not to mention availability
My 2005 Jeep Wrangler had rust spots - holes actually -
He fixed the fuel pump , complete 65,000 mi checkup and paint/body work = $900
Painted the whole car.
He fixed the fuel pump , complete 65,000 mi checkup and paint/body work = $900
Painted the whole car.
Paint takes time... no spray booth etc.
so weather dictates some of it.... pretty good on time and VERY fussy about his work
He's fixing a mashed Amanera MBenz now....front end body work
Many of his cars are high end
He's a bit famous in the area
Nagua is a bigger car place than many realize
so weather dictates some of it.... pretty good on time and VERY fussy about his work
He's fixing a mashed Amanera MBenz now....front end body work
Many of his cars are high end
He's a bit famous in the area
Nagua is a bigger car place than many realize
Exactly! Good Dominican prices!
New York wolves would charge you $3500 for all this.
We have had all similar here after more than 3 years sitting of our SUV. Replaced with new parts, repainted , re-done everything. From roof to the bottom. $1300US for EVERYTHING. $6 grand in New York at least.
That car arrived in January 2009.... and was the only car for several years.
This climate does things we aren't used in the north...
Every Dom mechanic will tell.... things go bad faster here
IMO - it takes the local knowledge/mentality to keep on top of problems... tropical problems.
Yes - irsav - I have seen wrecks arrive from the USA - surely bought at auction
brought here for the fix....
My friend's Jag repairs will be mostly labor - since he imported his components
Should be an interesting bill
This climate does things we aren't used in the north...
Every Dom mechanic will tell.... things go bad faster here
IMO - it takes the local knowledge/mentality to keep on top of problems... tropical problems.
Yes - irsav - I have seen wrecks arrive from the USA - surely bought at auction
brought here for the fix....
My friend's Jag repairs will be mostly labor - since he imported his components
Should be an interesting bill
We bought our SUV brand new here. After checking about 40 "just imported" vehicles from the USA . Upon seeing their TRUE CARFAX you would not touch them with a 7 foot pole.
"CAR IMPORT FROM USA" - IS THE DIRTIEST BUSINESS HERE.
I am careful only to buy cars imported as new here... like you
Both my cars - Suzuki & Isuzu - were true RD cars....
The US compliant cars are too complicated...
My Jeep's sensor (A US car brought in by me) warns me of poor gas if I don't mix 50/50 reg /premium
Both my cars - Suzuki & Isuzu - were true RD cars....
The US compliant cars are too complicated...
My Jeep's sensor (A US car brought in by me) warns me of poor gas if I don't mix 50/50 reg /premium
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