posted by
someone claiming to be ABLUECAR
on
Sat Oct 28 08:35 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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No response from you fellows,
I have found a 1983 GL with 134,000 kilometers for sale. 2nd. hand for 1000 dollars.
What say you?
Gadi
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Watch out for deteriorated electrical wiring under the hood. Cars from 80 to 86 and some 87s often suffer from this, at least in the states. It may be that the one you are considering, which probably has a single Stromberg carburetor, uses a different harness, not prone to this problem. Other than that, all I can suggest is to have someone experienced in such matters check it over for you. As old as it is, it could be in anything from poor to excellent condition. If the car has spent all its life in a dry climate, rust is probably not a major worry, mechanical condition is the main thing to investigate. Good luck.
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Something to remember here.
Unless you choose to contribute this is a free site, even if you toss Jarod a couple of bucks to help keep the server running the members don't get paid, no one owes you a response, if you don't get one it's for any of a few reasons.
1) No one knows/has experience with it.
2) It's a question that can't really be answered.
or
3) It's personal.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt this question comes under the first two. What you have is a 23 year old car with no mention of maintenance history, just a price and mileage.
Plus if I remember right you're in a country that doesn't have a lot of members, without personal experience it's hard to judge prices. The prices I was used to paying in San Diego are lower than what a good Volvo seems to go for up here, in another country I wouldn't even think of guessing what makes a good deal.
As you learned (I hope) on your '80 old cars have issues. No one is going to say "go for it" then later when it turns out to have issues risk being made to feel responsible.
Bottom line is it's 23 years old, don't expect it to be trouble free. Take it to someone who knows Volvos if there is someone like that close by, buy it if you like it and it checks out OK. If there is not a shop you trust near by look at any maintenance records, drive it and make your best judgment.
--
Dave Shannon
Durango, CO
'63 P-210
'67 1800s
'88-240
'06 F250 Diesel 4X4
my pages
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I think you're being too harsh, Dave. Overall, Gadi has been a respectful visitor of the Brickboard for some time while he fixed up his old 240. I didn't interpret his post as expecting an answer, more like a "bump" or "BTTT" that you often see on any forum. That is, just bringing attention to his question again, hoping someone else would see it and respond. Give it a day or two, and a question on the Brickboard can get lost quickly.
But Gadi, Dave's right - none of us has any experience with car buying in Israel, nor of the rarity of 240's or the average price of used cars there. We also don't know anything about the condition of the car.
You'll have to make the decision. How does the car look? How does it drive? Did the owner say anything about what kind of milage it gets or will it be just as bad as your old one? Are used cars common in Israel or do they wear out quickly in the climate there and get recycled for scrap? How many 240's are available for sale there at any one time?
You'd have to supply us with a lot of information before we could make an informed opinion of what the car is worth. You're most likely in a better position to value the car than we are, because even here in the U.S., the prices for old 240's are VERY different from one town to the next.
Good Luck, Gadi, and don't forget that Volvo 240's are not the only car in the world. They could very well be the best car in the world, depending on who you ask, but if you can find a much younger car with half the miles(kilometers) for less money, then it might be smarter to buy something other than a 240.
--
Sean - now frolicking in the Land of a Thousand 240's (aka, Fredericksburg) thrice a week.
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On re-reading it I did sound harsh, I'm sorry Gadi, didn't mean to come off as such a bummer. One bright side, at least you're getting answers now ;-)
--
Dave Shannon
Durango, CO
'63 P-210
'67 1800s
'88-240
'06 F250 Diesel 4X4
my pages
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posted by
someone claiming to be ABLUECAR
on
Sat Oct 28 11:56 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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Dave,
No hard feelings.
Gadi
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Hello again Gadi,
I agree generally with the previous posts on this thread.
You definitely need to check the wire harness on a 240 made between 80-87. Older ones too, simply because of age.
It's not possible for us to judge a car or a price from here.
In fact I'm a bit embarassed that we encouraged you that much on the old one, only to learn later that the transmission is no good. However, that's what we do - we do love the old Volvos and will do what we can to give good advice.
Did you consider getting a used transmission for the car you have? They rarely go bad; if you find one at a junkyard the cost should be less than buying a "new" used 240. It won't need rebuilding, just installation.
Also, my view is always that any used car will need some work. On your first 240, you already did that work. I think everything except the transmission is OK now, right? If you buy another, you will, during the first 2-4 weeks discover everything that is wrong with it. I wouldn't be surprised if ANY used car needs another $500-1000 to take care of these things.
As I said, my two cents.
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.
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I agree with Bruce that any "new" used car will need work and that you've already done a LOT of work on the 240 you have - is there no way to find a used transmission where you are? Sometimes a used transmission can cost as much as a whole used car, but sometimes you can get a good deal.
On the other hand, the '83 240 you're looking at has significantly less kilometers on the engine and transmission, so perhaps it would be a good investment. Just keep in mind, that in the first few weeks of ownership of a "new" used car, you'll probably find a LOT of things that will need your attention. People sell cars because they're tired of them, which often means they've been neglected or need work that the owner doesn't want to pay for. Be cautious, and good luck!
--
Sean - now frolicking in the Land of a Thousand 240's (aka, Fredericksburg) thrice a week.
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posted by
someone claiming to be ABLUECAR
on
Sat Oct 28 19:06 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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Sean and Bruce,
It is true that without your encouragement, my bluecar would be in the junkyard, but I have learned so much from this work, and for this I thank you. In any case, I am the only one responsible for my decisions.
A new transmission would cost as much as a used car. My car runs, but it has its' problems besides the transmission. A new old car would be another project, but since I already have this car, maybe I can use it for parts - providing the next car is in much better shape. It has only 134,000 km, and is being sold because the son is in the army (this is what they say, anyway).
I will check it out really good - and then decide.
Thank you very much,
Gadi
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posted by
someone claiming to be ABLUECAR
on
Sat Oct 28 11:06 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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Sean,
Thank you for your support. It is true that there are many factors in judging a car. As far as prices go, an old volvo happens to as cheap or as expensive as the next used car in Israel.
I guess my question is more than an informative one. My current volvo has given me a bit of hardship. Many things have gone wrong - and I have single handedly managed to fix all of them, except for the AT. It may very well be just a not so lucky car, but many of others on this site have owned more than one volvo, so I imagine that different cars may have different "souls".
So, and largly due to the generous support I have recieved on this site - my question would be more of " do you think it is worthwhile the time, energy, finances, to try and have another go at another old volvo, in order to have a good running car"? (not holding anyone accountable).
Gadi
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I think you misunderstand, it's a question that can't be answered. None of us know what cars are worth where you are, and you give no description of its condition whatsover.
If it was here in the UK its virtually worthless. I just bought an 88 244 5 speed manual with 68000 miles, full main dealer history no rust no dents for 125 pounds, or 240 US dollars. It's value elsewhere may be completely different.
Pete
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Ugh, you're as bad as those California people - a rust-free 240 here next to Washington DC, with anything less than 200,000 miles, will start at around $1500. And I've seen plenty sell for more. Heck, I've bought one for more because at the time I thought it would be safer to get one from a dealer (Hah!).
--
Sean - now frolicking in the Land of a Thousand 240's (aka, Fredericksburg) thrice a week.
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Nobody wants them here, people would rather buy something "economical" on finance than a bullet proof older car cheap and spend a bit more on petrol. There are literally hundreds of 200, 700 and 900 series cars being scrapped with minor mechanical faults or very light damage. I was in a yard the other day and saw a fully specced up 940 saloon, broken windscreen, dent in the bonnet, nothing wlse wrong being scrapped, B230 turbo, automatic, leather electric seats, the works, crazy really
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-940-GL-2-3-WHITE-LOVELY-CAR-NICE-BARGIAN_W0QQitemZ220038030625QQihZ012QQcategoryZ9872QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220038030625
or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-VOLVO-940-GL-BLUE_W0QQitemZ120044351350QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9872QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120044351350
For instance
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posted by
someone claiming to be ABLUECAR
on
Sat Oct 28 10:10 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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I never knew money was an issue on this site, nor do I expect anyone to answer me. As a matter of fact, up until now, all responses were positive, constructive and helpful. As a matter of fact I have felt quite welcome.
Furthermore, any guilt feelings due to the fact that people with more experience than me in cars and volvos give there opinions and recommendations, are totally unnecessary. Of course no one is to be held liable for any of their advice.
As for your response Mr. Dave, I must admit it makes me feel unwanted, if giving you the benefit of the doubt, and outright rude if to be straightforward.
It is simply possible to answer that this or that year of volvo has a certain problem to watch out for, or not. It is also possible to answer that the question has no answer. It is also possible not to answer at all.
So unless there is something that I am unaware of concerning myself and my questions on this site, or that I have failed to contribute my share, or that I am no longer welcome here - then I beleive an appology is in order on your behalf.
Gadi
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..DaveShan you,re in Durango?...perhaps we can meet this summer as I often do some teacher training in Mancos...Kris
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