I'm looking at a '69 1800. What is considered the price ceiling for a car in great shape? Just want to make sure I'm in the right ball park. I'm new to the 1800. Love the car, and have enjoyed the board. Thanks!

...allocate a few more bucks after the purchase. in my case i paid $5k for a '73 es theat was in 'decent' shape. it was in good driving condition, i.e. good enough to drive it home on new york from oregon. since then, i had u joints replaced, rebuilt the doors internal mechanics, removed, replaced and rebuilt the o/d soloniod, replaced injector fuel lines, replaced door seals, replaced a bonnet hinge,and several other minor things....
the previous owner was quite honest and would have mentioned these items if she was aware of them...
so i would say i've put another two grand or so into the car. still remaining is a seat reholustery job and the dash board upper and lower stuff...
...
it would have to be somewhat of a pollyana to expect a full return on my investment. however, i'm happy. its a daily driver and still for less than a new hundai or compact econmy boring compact drone.

So many variables, it's hard to say. Prices range from $15k for a true unmolested original (or perfectly restored) car, to $6k for a clean daily driver, to $2000 for a rough, but driveable car, to $500 for a parts car.
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'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '83 244, '86 244, '87 745T, 92 244 (for sale)

Your post on 1800 pricing was just about the most comprehensive rundown I've ever read on the subject. I've mentioned in the past that I thought a good number of 1800 owners were advertising their cars at prices substantially lower than the market would actually bear. Of course there are the dreamers who think that their particular car is made of gold and platinum. Case in point, a coupe, all original except for a repaint, 29K miles, for $3OK. That's ridiculous I think. Anyway, thanks for a thoughtful reply to the original poster's message.
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Roy Olson

Yes, thank you. Exactly what I was looking for. Great help! With any luck I'll be spending a lot more time here in the near future.

Color me as just a little pessimistic still on the solidness of a $15k value for a 'perfect' 1800. The 1800 just isn't quite rare enough and desirable enough (there is a balancing factor there) to drive the values up that far. Not to detract from the 1800 at all. My personal opinion is not really too far off the 15k mark, I guess. I'd say $10 - 12K *max* for the most unmolested, pristine time capsule car around - basically a 'useless' car that you can't drive without grinding that price quickly down. Or haul to shows in a trailer. $5 - 6K for a truly spiffy car that can be driven (not unusually low mileage) without losing value massively. The vast majority of cars owned for 30+ years now by the typical Volvo owner (i.e. driven, not polished) will be in the $2k - 4k range and not be perfect (other than mechanically, likely). Car driven in the rust/salt belt (like here in Missouri) will likely have rust - patched or not, and be worth $1500 on down to $Not worth the price of hauling it away.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.

JohnMc,

I respect your personal opinion, but the facts appear to dispute your view of the top prices being commanded. The established value for a 'perfect' 1800 actually appears to be solidly higher, not lower, than $15,000.

One well respected Volvo reseller has a standing offer, with cash on hand to back it up, stating that he will buy any 'perfect' 1800, any model, any year, that anyone is willing to sell for $10,000.

Numerous "pristine" 1800's have been sold by the same reseller, for $20,000+, and
he has standing orders from serious buyers willing to pay the top price for a perfect car.

gary - '72 ES, '67 122S

I'll go with Evan's assessment... they're definitely up from where they were even two years ago.