Palm Desert/springs repair facility recommendations

My sister lives in Palm Desert/springs area and has a 2004 v40 volvo with about 100k miles on it. Can anyone recommend a reasonable but most importantly honest repair shop in that area. She has told me some of the repairs and costs she has put into the car and it seems to me she is being taken advantage of being a female. For example she said she took it to the dealer after she noticed a leak in the front drivers side which sounds like the radiator. They told her that her heater core is starting to leak and would be $1600 to replace. She states she does not smell anything inside the car. I am not sure if I trust these peolple. Any with a place they would recommend?