Hi everyone! I have always wanted a volvo and could never afford a new or even newer one, but now that I'm married to a mechanicly inclined man, we can get an older one and fix it up :) Anyway, we found a 1985 740 wagon with 180k miles on it; manual transmission. The only obvious problems are: the overdrive button doesn't work, there are big holes in the dash where the heat/air vents should be, and the heat/air doesn't really work, and none of the seat belts work, they are all stuck, so you can't pull them at all. The seller is asking $700 obo, and is very receptive to offers. Blue book for "fair" condition is 945.00, but I think the car is more in poor condition because the belts don't work.......and there is no blue book for poor condition

The biggest issue to me, as I am the safetly stickler (hence always wanting a volvo) is the seat belts. We have two kids, one in a car seat, so it is imperative that they work. I've searched on the forms here and found some solution suggestions, but would like to know more about what would cause all belts to lock and remedies. And, would the worst case scenario be replacing all the belts? I found a volvo parts sites that sells used belts for around 50.00, so that would be 250.00 for new belts.

Anyway, any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. We just got totally screwed buying and wasting a ton of money on a stupid horrible Dodge Caravan; and really don't want to make the same mistake.

Kristi