I have been a Volvo owner exclusively for the past 15 years. And a reader/ poster on this board for many years - at least 5 - 6 years.

By a wierd set of circumstances - I am now in the possession of a 94 Cadillac Sedan DeVille - with only 75,000 miles.

Now here is the rub - what kind fo Volvo could I purchase for about $5,500 USD??

Compare it with a newer body style Cadillac - comfortable room for 5, even 6 if need be.

VERY QUIET - at any speed -

Air suspension that automatically adjusts to vehicle speed and load.

A car that delivers 27+ mpg US, at speeds of 75 mph.

And around town mileage is reasonable if one's foot is not into it.

I looked around, and for the same money - a late '80's, high mileage 245, or 240.

I have spent so many weekends maintaining , repairing, fixing my Bricks.

Not to say that I ahve not enjoyed them - but surely there is more to life then doing another repair job!!!

Now - for the positive - my '87 245 with M47 tranny, outfitted with 215/75R14 Walmart Wintermark MAgnagrips (a most excellent snow/ice/mud/gravel/highway/ all season tire) is a great winter runner.
But at almost 500,000 kms (300,000 miles) I am starting to question the reliability of it.

In the past 18 months I have replaced all the brake hoses, and most of the brake lines, complete front end steering components, ball joints, heater core, water pump, exhaust system, metal patched the rear wheel wells where the rear seat belt anchors were almost rusted loose, - basically made the car rock solid
- then last week the weather dipped below -15c, and the heater fan motor starts howling, and there is a bit of an electrical burning smell.
Shut off the fan - let it cool, smell is gone - sometimes the fan runs quiet - sometimes it howls.
SO I take another afternoon - dremel tool in hand - remove the endplated of the turbine fans, remove the fans, and check out the motor.

No slop in the bushings - add some spray grease into the bushing packing - and test run it - fan runs quet, and runs out longer - less friction - I figure I have it whopped.

Next morning - temp is below -18c - fan is howling - with intermittent operation - warm bushing enough so that it runs quiet.

I must say - I ahve not started to fix anything on my Cadillac - and there does not seem anything untoward yet.

For the money - and the peace of mind - the only thing I might lose is the great chats at this board.

Yes I could visit once I have no bricks - but then with little in common - I would eventually drift away.

So till then - I stillhave two bricks - and a Caddy.
Caddy is saved for long trips.

And I still appear here frequently - because I want to - and because I could not afford to put my Bricks into the shop to fix what ails them..

That is my rant for the night

God night all