$50 vs $2,170 (www.kbb.com). Now why the heck would I call the junk yard when I can get 4340% more $ if I sell the car on my own?

Jay

My original plan was to purchase a 1993 Nissan Maxima SE 5sp for about $8k and 150k miles on it. Like I said, that was the original plan but now it's changed. I'm definitely gonna baby this volvo and try to improve it as much as I can. Around June or summer of next year, my bro will give me his 1987 Camry LE auto ($1,700) and I will sell the Volvo ($2,170). The money will either go to my bro or my parents (I'd like to pay off some of my student loans, but it'll depend on who needs the $ more.) The other $8k I had saved up will be down payment for another car 2 summers from now (after I graduate from University.)

Since I won't be keeping the car very long, I've already decided against modding the car for performance. Here's my plan so far:

Clean cloth surfaces and carpet, and dash = very cheap @ home

Clean engine compartment = $3 cleaner and hose

Superglue and colored nail polish to match dash = $3

Sunroof drains = free (have 5gal air compressor @ home)

Carpet mat = $10 @ swap meet or junk yard

Cloth to cover headliner = $5

body paint = $5

generic seat covers = $30 for fronts and back @ swap meet

As you've pointed out, I'm very happy about the drivetrain. The engine is smooth at all speeds. The original owners took the car to the dealer for all scheduled maintainence and have records. Ride is great, brakes work well. Everything but the interior is awesome for it's age...but then again, it's got super low milage. I've talked to the original owner and he swears the milage is correct.

Just got off the phone w/my dad. He said he banged the dash a few times and now the fuel gauge works. Musta just been stuck. Cool!

I *am* interested about where the parts you mentioned can be bought. I might have a change of mind and decide to keep this car...then I'll want it to be in perfect shape. Could you email me where I can find those parts? Thanx dood!

I had several points earlier in the day while I was thinking about the car. One was...why would someone pay $21k for this car in the first place? I was able to rationalize it by thinking that there were no long term reviews of this car and people bought it for the name (as discussed in another thread about high schoolers wanting older Volvos) and reputation for being an exceptionally safe car. If Volvos are supposed to be luxury cars, then my roommate's 83 Honda Accord must be a super luxury car cuz the only major problem it's had so far is fading body paint.

People do give away perfect cars. We were given an 87 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl auto. It has 120k miles on it. The only thing wrong w/it was the 2 lowest a/c settings don't work, but that's was easily corrected by heading over to a junk yard and paying $5 for the working part. Unfortunately, my bro has that car. The good thing is, he's getting another car around June and I'll get his Camry.

We were given a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.3 auto with 150k miles. That car needed it's water pump replaced. That was cheap. Then we turned around and sold the car cuz we didn't need it at the time.

Comparing my bro's Camry to mine, I'd prefer his. It's super reliable and in awesome condition. The original owners used it as a family car, then gave it to their son in high school, then gave it to their daughter for high school. It's been thoroughly used yet still in better condition than the Volvo. The best part is, the sticker price (new) was only $12k.

Ok...I'll step off of this soap box. I'm sorry if I offended anybody. As always, these are my findings of the Volvo (and some generalization) and it's not intended as a flame. After all...I own one now...

I hope the rest of the readers of this forum aren't reacting the same as you (having harsh feelings towards new fellow owners).

I don't think I was very clear about my feelings on the car. I treat the car as if I had bought it. By doing that, I'm gonna make every effort to keep it in it's current condition and improve on it if I can. It's not like I'm gonna beat the heck outta it cuz after all, it is a means of transportation and sure beats waiting for the bus or riding my bike in the freezing morning to University.

I'd give it back to the owner, but if you read the 2nd sentence of my post, he got a Lexus...therefore doesn't have a need for this car. He knew that I didn't have a car and was on a tight budget w/student loans and other payments, so he let me do whatever I wanted w/the car. He said I could keep it, mod it, or sell it, he didn't care. www.kbb.com rates the trade in value at $2,170. Why the heck would I give the car to you if selling it will pay off some of my loans?

Evan, are there any cars that you would love to own but couldn't justify the cost? There's another web site I found that lists all the same faults I found in my car. Even the 700/900 FAQ lists them too. Are you denying that this car model has problems? After knowing that these problems exists, would you still go back and buy the same car again when there are other cars that have less problems yet cost the same or even less? That's another feeling I have about the car. $21k for this car is unreasonable.

Jay