For the Volvo Geeks
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
- Status
Ahh yes... and the best part, they were probably all made with the software that comes with them... I can't wait to get mine!
I'm actually in the process of doing a dual boot Mac OSX on my PC... not exactly legal but I'm a poor(ish) college student... its actually really challenging.
I'm actually in the process of doing a dual boot Mac OSX on my PC... not exactly legal but I'm a poor(ish) college student... its actually really challenging.
Man, I hope that works out for you. Hopefully only a sane and reasonable amount of restoration to undo the years of neglect.
I brought my daughter home from the hospital in my 2002 S40. She will be three in December and I am planning to teach her to drive on this car. FWD for sure but it's been a great car to me.
Might try to de-tune the car somewhat by tightening the wastegate to give less than stock intake psi. My daughter is a little head strong. A daddy has to worry you know.
The saga continues....
After not getting any response out of the owner back in October, I wrote him off and went shopping for an old diesel Mercedes. Found a nicely cared for, low mileage '83 300SD and bought it.
I've been going through the Mercedes the past 8 weeks and have her pretty close to 100%. Sold the Lexus and have been daily-driving the Mercedes for over a month.
This morning I get to the office and there is a phonemail waiting for me...from the daughter of the Volvo's current owner..."dad is ready to sell if you are still interested".
After not getting any response out of the owner back in October, I wrote him off and went shopping for an old diesel Mercedes. Found a nicely cared for, low mileage '83 300SD and bought it.
I've been going through the Mercedes the past 8 weeks and have her pretty close to 100%. Sold the Lexus and have been daily-driving the Mercedes for over a month.
This morning I get to the office and there is a phonemail waiting for me...from the daughter of the Volvo's current owner..."dad is ready to sell if you are still interested".
An old Volvo and an old diesel Mercedes. I don't think it could get any better than that.
Drive the Mercedes as your daily since it is ready to go and tuck the Volvo away so you can take your time undoing the neglect you are sure to find.
Drive the Mercedes as your daily since it is ready to go and tuck the Volvo away so you can take your time undoing the neglect you are sure to find.
That is exactly what my wife said...and exactly what I was thinking!
Will be going over tonight to negotiate...
I learned from the daughter that it is having electrical problems, and has several other issues that she doesn't have details on. I know from looking it over last year the maintenance has been poor the three years this family has had it. Sludgey yucky nasty after my 275,000 miles of 2,000 mile oil/filter changes.
I am going to get this thing cheap, or not at all...'cause I'll be dropping some money in it if I get it.
Great story and great follow up Tim. Thanks. I'm new to the Volvo scene, but I can see the value. I've been looking for an upper 90's 850 or S70 as kind of a daily driver to put miles on until my daughter is ready for her first car.
Work got in the way. Now hoping to hook up on Saturday.
There is a part of me that is afraid of getting this car back. Kinda like the old saying, "you can never go back home". I wonder if it will just end up being a disappointment - my memory of this car is going to be so impossible to live up to.
On the other hand....
There is a part of me that is afraid of getting this car back. Kinda like the old saying, "you can never go back home". I wonder if it will just end up being a disappointment - my memory of this car is going to be so impossible to live up to.
On the other hand....
You have to do it! She might be a little upset with you at first, but a little TLC and that should work itself out. I've always wanted an older Volvo (240 or 740ish). I had the opportunity to borrow a 740 GLE recently and it made me want to sell my 5 month old 07 Accord. So much character and so simple.
The dream is over....
Went to look the car over today - it is in far worse condition that when I inspected it last year.
The body is no different, but now the wiring is fried (the guy ripped out half the harness trying to fix it) the intake hose between the air mass meter and TB is cracked and sucking unfiltered air (not to mention the engine rocks because it runs so rough). The interior was deteriorated since last year...I think maybe his kids have turned it into a clubhouse
. At least there was coolant in the overflow this time, but the gritty sludge is still all over the underside of the oil filler cap.
I offered him $200. He said he thinks he'll try to fix it. I immediately left.
My wife was bummed (well, so am I) but I just couldn't see paying more than a token amount for a car needing as much work as this one.
So, I'll just have to spend some extra money on Millie the '83 300SD and call it a day.
Thanks for following along and all the moral support. Maybe this thread will keep one fellow from making the same supid mistake I made.
Tim
Went to look the car over today - it is in far worse condition that when I inspected it last year.
The body is no different, but now the wiring is fried (the guy ripped out half the harness trying to fix it) the intake hose between the air mass meter and TB is cracked and sucking unfiltered air (not to mention the engine rocks because it runs so rough). The interior was deteriorated since last year...I think maybe his kids have turned it into a clubhouse
I offered him $200. He said he thinks he'll try to fix it. I immediately left.
My wife was bummed (well, so am I) but I just couldn't see paying more than a token amount for a car needing as much work as this one.
So, I'll just have to spend some extra money on Millie the '83 300SD and call it a day.
Thanks for following along and all the moral support. Maybe this thread will keep one fellow from making the same supid mistake I made.
Tim
You'll make some new memories. I found my first car from 40 years ago, a 1966 Renault R8 purchased new. I was a great car but with a growing family and the need for more room I sold it. In later years I've always wanted to find one but they were not very popular. I almost never saw another one when they were new and when I sold it in the 70's I never saw another one. Well I drove it and it was in terrible shape. the running gear and wiring can be fixed but the car was parked outside for 20 years and was being eaten up by rust, far too much to repair. It had been in a couple of accidents and the repairs were terrible. There were odd size plated welded here and there. If the car had have a chance I'd have bought it, but I walked away. Sad day for me.
- Status
