Saving Dinero

After four seasons and only 14400 miles our SUV´s on-board computer was displaying the need for some major service including a tune-up.  My concern was avoiding driving to Guadalajara for the necessary attention – not only a long drive, but a major inconvenience considering an expected two day requirement by the dealer (based on stateside experience with similar needs) and major dinero.  We asked our admin if he had any knowledge of a good shop in Puerto Vallarta and he gave us a recommendation for a mechanic, Pablo Macedo Henández, in Col. Lopez Mateos, near the Red Cross Hospital.

Our admin had said his location was around the corner from the local Pemex just past a large Ficus Tree.  Our first attempt to locate his shop as we returned home from a north-end shopping trip was a failure.  We even stopped and asked several people without any luck.  The second attempt saw the same result.  Persevering we finally located Pablo just where our admin had indicated – we had forgotten about the Ficus tree, and under the tree is a Taco Stand that had been very busy each time we visited with local persons, private cars and taxis parked all over enjoying a repast and effectively camouflaging the shop, which doesn´t have a sign or window frontage, just a black double-iron door with the street number.  Once in the shop it opens up into two work bays, an office, and storage for 6-7 vehicles; however, I digress.

After a check of the car with Pablo, we agreed, to get the following service – a complete tune-up; oil change, checkout of a loud “clunking” noise in the rear-end (loose stabilizer bar); checkout of the warning lights stating “All Wheel Drive Off -. Please Service” and “Service the APBS system”; rotate all 4 tires.  We scheduled a one day visit – 9AM to 5PM.  We arrived 5 minutes early prepared to read our Kindles – Pablo pulled in and parked at exactly 9AM.   Late that afternoon we called in advance - our car was ready and the total was $1975 pesos (approx. $150.00 USD).  Everything works wonderfully and the warning lights were explained and turned off until next time!  Are we still in Mexico Dorothy?

Feeling excited and “flush” Dolores suggested we finally (planned for 3 years) get the driver/passenger front side windows tinted so we drove several blocks to AutoTek on Fco. Villa. We had looked for this place ever since a friend had told us about it; however, because of a new sign we finally located them.  They took us in immediately, we lounged in a new and air conditioned waiting room watching a science fiction movie on a new wide-screen TV and one hour later we left with both windows tinted and a four year guarantee for a total of $350 Pesos (approx. $26.50 USD). WOW.  Try that in the states.

If any of you locals need these services we couldn´t recommend these people too much.  For your info:  Pablo´s telephone number in 222-5270 (he speaks only Spanish but his son speaks English) and AutoTek telephone number is 225-6726 (they speak English).

Sólo otro día en el paraíso!

Just another day in paradise!