A Bad DEAL?? 86 Volvo Station Wagon with 193K Miles for $550??

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
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No this car isn't for me, but for my moms. She met a guy who wanted to sell his car because he told her that it's getting "too expensive to own 2 cars." Well honestly, I'm happy for my mom but............. The car has 193K miles, so I'm just wondering how long is it going to really last? She has a 4 dr. 84 Volvo with 139K miles that should have been put out to pasture 5 years ago because the breaks are going and you can't open the rear 2 doors.

But the new car has no rust (living in Boston, MA, gotta love dat), leather seats, CD player, AC and all doors open. She has a mechanic who also works at her job and he said it's a good deal, even thought he thought it might need a new catalytic converter.

But what really DROVE ME NUTS, was she agreed to buy the car, before she even drove it!! And she gave him the $$ before even driving it around. I think she's didn't feel it was necessary because the friend/mechanic at her job said it was a good deal.

So what do you think? I'd really be surprised if she didn't have to sink any $$ into the car for MAJOR repairs within the next year. BOTOH, 90% of me feels that I should just butt out, but I really don't want to see my mom get ripped off.

Opinions/comments please. Thanks guys.
 
Mar 22, 2002
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Originally posted by: thatsright
Opinions/comments please.

You have way too many typos in your thread. Worry about that before you worry about your mom. It's her decision, whether it's stupid or not. She'll learn by herself - she's a big girl.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
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Personally I'd pass and find something more commong (easier to find parts and cheaper)
I know my Dodge 4 cyls awfully well and I'd probably find something like a Shadow or Spirit for around the same price and less milage, they're dirt cheap for repairs and can be damn reliable. That's just me though. If your mom isn't too strained for cash and can afford a decent repair just in case somethign goes wrong, then I guess it's not so bad.
 

DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
Originally posted by: thatsright
Opinions/comments please.

You have way too many typos in your thread. Worry about that before you worry about your mom. It's her decision, whether it's stupid or not. She'll learn by herself - she's a big girl.

Agreed on the bad grammar part. But what model Volvo? 240s were tanks. 193k is just barely warming up for them.
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
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Did the mechanic friend actually inspect the car, or was he just guessing?

If he inspected it, then I would say she was smart to buy it.
Yes, it's got a heck of a lot of miles, but old Volvos tend to run for a long time. Plus, a quick look at the local classifieds tells me that $550 is really low for this car even with high mileage.

If he was just guessing, I would be a little more leery, but it sounds like her old car was in pretty bad shape anyway. Repairing the brakes and doors might have cost more than $550. She should definitely get it checked out by a mechanic, though.
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
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Sorry guy's I didn't know the grammar police where in the house. I was typing the post while watching the news at the same time. I usually check my posts before posting.

Just my $0.02
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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Its not a bad deal. Don't get mislead, at least in SoCal those cars are in the junkyards a lot. If its not a turbo you're golden. Shouldn't have any problem getting parts for it.
 

jagr10

Golden Member
Jan 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: thatsright
Originally posted by: jagr10
Paying anything for a station wagon is a bad deal!

Why? Or are you just saying this because you don't like station wagons??

I don't like station wagons. lol.

But aren't there sites that tell you the book value on a particular car model? See what they say. I'm guessing that it should be cheaper.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: jagr10
Originally posted by: thatsright
Originally posted by: jagr10
Paying anything for a station wagon is a bad deal!

Why? Or are you just saying this because you don't like station wagons??

I don't like station wagons. lol.

But aren't there sites that tell you the book value on a particular car model? See what they say. I'm guessing that it should be cheaper.

Station wagons have the space closer to a minivan/SUV and the handling closer to that of a sedan
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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622
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No, that's still a low price since it *seems* that its in good condition. My friend's '85 Turbo Wagon was $2k and the interior was kinda trashed.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
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If it has been taken care of, meaning regular oil changes, not too hard on the car, regular maintenence, etc., it should be OK.

Volvos can go a very long time without major problems if you take care of them, the cars are built really well. We have a 96 850 GLT that is going great, right now at 70k miles i believe, and *knock on wood* it hasn't had any major problems or signs of any.

I would say once she has it since she already bought it, take it to the DEALERSHIP and have them to a routine checkup for 200k miles. Notice, I said dealership and not another mechanic. It's because especially for something with this many miles and old age, you should get it checked up by someone who works on Volvo's and maybe a few other brands for a large majority of their life, they'll be better than someone who services every brand of cars.
 
Aug 16, 2001
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If it is the 240 series then it's barely broken in at 193K. Those things run forever.
Basically the same deal with the 740 series. They have similar mechanics and the engines are the same. They also have the same truck style live axle in the rear.

For $550 I'd say it's OK. Go for it.
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
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Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Any pics of your mom handy?

I'd prob buy it...

I know your kidding man, but Ewwwwwww.......... Man, thats just gross. BTW, my mom is 57.

The car she's buying looks better than here I think. Of course she's not an ugly hag, but I don't know any guy that thinks there mom is hot; unless your Pam Anderson's 16 year old stepson.

I'm really rambling way too much........