YACT: $7500.... '98 240SX SE or '94 Volvo Turbo Wagon

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
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Well, I'll be frank... my first choice in the '98 240SX SE but it might be a little out of my price range.

There is a '98 240SX SE (Auto) for sale... 52,000 miles, sunroof, bright red color. They said since I have financing already taken care of, they could probably get me out the door for $8,000.

however, the more conservative side of me is really starting to set in, there are two nice Volvo wagons and one sedan for sale near me:

1. 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon, 86k miles, leather/sunroof/everything, new tires, warranty. $7799
2. 1995 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan, 67k miles, leather/sunroof/everthing, new tires, warranty, $7995
3. 1994 Volvo 850 Wagon, 87k miles, leather/sunroof/everything, $6995

I'm a 21 year old male with no kids, so you're probably wondering why I haven't bought the 240 yet... there are a couple things concerning me about the 240sx ... (1) Sometimes (weekends) I often haul more than one other person around, and apparently 240s have tiny backseats. (2) Sometimes (maybe once a month) I need to ship FS/FT stuff or haul things and who knows if it will fit in the 240sx trunk. (3) My fiancee already promised me that if I buy an "ugly, boxy, grandpa-balls" Volvo wagon she won't ride in the car with me. That that just means it will take some getting used to on her part. I mean, I'm sure if I got the 240 I could work around all these things and see some pros as well:

If someone wants to ride with me up to the restaurant, I can just tell them I don't have room in the backseat so people won't want to bum rides at all. It could also mean that I will do less trading on FS/FT with larger items (monitors etc). I don't know if thats good or bad, but there are many times when I wish my Civic had more room.

What would you do?
 

Lifer

Banned
Feb 17, 2003
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your crazy for even considering the vovlo.
240 all teh way. newer, lower miles, and probly more reliable and only slightly more expensive.
and for that price, it's a steal.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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First, $8k for those Volvos is way too much. You can do better for that money (newer). Volvos have high depreciation for some reason. Thing of it is, lots of little things will break. Engines tend to run forever. I think they look nice personally. grandpa-balls? Does that mean its slow? If it does she's clearly mistaken, at least about the turbo models.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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beware 10 year old turbo volvos... the turbo is probably about ready to eat sh!t
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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545
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
beware 10 year old turbo volvos... the turbo is probably about ready to eat sh!t

Not true. If its well maintained it will last a long time. Friend of mine is a volvo nut. He's got 200k on the original turbo. ('91 760 GLE Wagon)
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: ElFenix
beware 10 year old turbo volvos... the turbo is probably about ready to eat sh!t

Not true. If its well maintained it will last a long time. Friend of mine is a volvo nut. He's got 200k on the original turbo. ('91 760 GLE Wagon)

most people don't know how to maintain a turbo.
 

zixxer

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
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I'd be concerned a little bit with volvo reliability.

also the 240sx isn't all that crazy fast, and their engines aren't the greatest (usually referred to as truck engines; as that is where the 2.4 originated)

a coworker has a 95 volvo 850 turbo that I love. I've considered selling my 200 and buying one a time or two.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,033
545
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: ElFenix
beware 10 year old turbo volvos... the turbo is probably about ready to eat sh!t

Not true. If its well maintained it will last a long time. Friend of mine is a volvo nut. He's got 200k on the original turbo. ('91 760 GLE Wagon)

most people don't know how to maintain a turbo.

Water cooled turbos aren't as sensitive as the old oil cooled ones.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Volvo is faster stock, which you know. But, that's a damn old car, and a turbo too...

You also don't need me telling you that either car is likely to cost more, all said and done, than the civic you have/had, when you consider insurance and repairs ;)

The only volvo I know personally was one with 200k miles last I heard. it was around a 1990 760 I think turbo and was driven pretty hard. Thing was very reliable and no major issues.
 

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
Volvo is faster stock, which you know. But, that's a damn old car, and a turbo too...

You also don't need me telling you that either car is likely to cost more, all said and done, than the civic you have/had, when you consider insurance and repairs ;)

The only volvo I know personally was one with 200k miles last I heard. it was around a 1990 760 I think turbo and was driven pretty hard. Thing was very reliable and no major issues.

Skoorb, I need to school you! =) Right now I owe $11,743 on my Honda. Insurance is $2,790 per year. We'll say gas (29mpg @ 15k miles/yr @ 2.00 gal) is $1034/year .... have a four-year, repair-free cost of $27039 to keep my Honda

240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Volvo would probably have roughly the same savings... maybe more repairs, but cheaper insurance.

EDIT: spelling
 

tnitsuj

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
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Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Volvo is faster stock, which you know. But, that's a damn old car, and a turbo too...

You also don't need me telling you that either car is likely to cost more, all said and done, than the civic you have/had, when you consider insurance and repairs ;)

The only volvo I know personally was one with 200k miles last I heard. it was around a 1990 760 I think turbo and was driven pretty hard. Thing was very reliable and no major issues.

Skoorb, I need to school you! =) Right now I owe $11,743 on my Honda. Insurance is $2,790 per year. We'll say gas (29mpg @ 15k miles/yr @ 2.00 gal) is $1034/year .... have a four-year, repair-free cost of $27039 to keep my Honda

240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Volvo would probably have roughly the same savings... maybe more repairs, but cheaper insurance.

EDIT: spelling


You can easily eat up that savings with the repair costs on that Volvo. Nothing is cheap on those, although they are generally good cars. You should just stick to the civic and try and pay more/alter your payment schedule to pay it down faster.

It appears that you are still upside down on the civic loan. Why would you sell it now?
 

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
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Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Volvo is faster stock, which you know. But, that's a damn old car, and a turbo too...

You also don't need me telling you that either car is likely to cost more, all said and done, than the civic you have/had, when you consider insurance and repairs ;)

The only volvo I know personally was one with 200k miles last I heard. it was around a 1990 760 I think turbo and was driven pretty hard. Thing was very reliable and no major issues.

Skoorb, I need to school you! =) Right now I owe $11,743 on my Honda. Insurance is $2,790 per year. We'll say gas (29mpg @ 15k miles/yr @ 2.00 gal) is $1034/year .... have a four-year, repair-free cost of $27039 to keep my Honda

240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Volvo would probably have roughly the same savings... maybe more repairs, but cheaper insurance.

EDIT: spelling


You can easily eat up that savings with the repair costs on that Volvo. Nothing is cheap on those, although they are generally good cars. You should just stick to the civic and try and pay more/alter your payment schedule to pay it down faster.

It appears that you are still upside down on the civic loan. Why would you sell it now?

How am I upside down? A woman and her boyfriend go approved for the loan on my car and are inspecting in a few days to buy it.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Untill you go to sell said cars in 4 years and the civic is still worth $6,000 and the other two are only worth $2,000.

I still think you are a fool selling based on financial situations. You simply do not have a big enough difference between selling and buying prices to justify the hit you are taking on the selling of your civic.

 

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
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I like grandpa-balls wagons... I drove a Reliant wagon to high school. My Dad took that one back, and I bought myself another one to drive to college. Then I bought a Saturn wagon to drive my last year of college and first year of work.

My gf/fiance/wife who saw all of these cars never looked good anyway, so a car certainly wasn't going to make her look better. Besides, I like to listen to music that she doesn't like, so it is nice to be in the car without her.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Untill you go to sell said cars in 4 years and the civic is still worth $6,000 and the other two are only worth $2,000.

I still think you are a fool selling based on financial situations. You simply do not have a big enough difference between selling and buying prices to justify the hit you are taking on the selling of your civic.

I told him the same thing, he's not going to gain anything.

To put it bluntly redhot, you would be an IDIOT to sell your Civic & then jump into another $8,000 debt. Now if you sold the Civic (thus breaking even) and bought a $1000 Accord to drive in the mean time, THAT would be smart.

Oh, and smack your fiancee for being immature.

Viper GTS
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,794
266
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Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: vi_edit
240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.

Untill you go to sell said cars in 4 years and the civic is still worth $6,000 and the other two are only worth $2,000.

I still think you are a fool selling based on financial situations. You simply do not have a big enough difference between selling and buying prices to justify the hit you are taking on the selling of your civic.

I told him the same thing, he's not going to gain anything.

To put it bluntly redhot, you would be an IDIOT to sell your Civic & then jump into another $8,000 debt. Now if you sold the Civic (thus breaking even) and bought a $1000 Accord to drive in the mean time, THAT would be smart.

Oh, and smack your fiancee for being immature.

Viper GTS

I have tried convincing him also.

Maybe he could re-fi his current Civic loan? Since it's a 2002 it should qualify for NEW car financing (2.99 - 4.75%) at a local credit union.

He could stretch out the loan (4 - 5 years) lowering his monthly payments or reduce it to 2-3 years if he wants to pay it off quicker. He has a practically brand new RELIABLE Honda Civic.

After you get hit with a few repair bills you'll probably see the light by then it will be too late.

Why don't you just refi your current Honda Civic loan???
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Skoorb, I need to school you! =) Right now I owe $11,743 on my Honda. Insurance is $2,790 per year. We'll say gas (29mpg @ 15k miles/yr @ 2.00 gal) is $1034/year .... have a four-year, repair-free cost of $27039 to keep my Honda

240sx = $8000 initial cost, insurance is $2200 / year, gas will be 25mpg, so about $1200/yr... soooo, after 4 yours total cost of ownership is $21,600 (difference = $5439) So, $5500 in savings not including any repairs. Let's say I have $2000 worth of repairs over 4 years. Still $3500 in my pocket.
You didn't account for resale depreciation which would surely eat up that remaining $3500. Also, $2k in repairs I'd not feel incredibly comfortable estimating. It could be less, but chances are I think it would be more. Replacing an engine or transmission on either of those used cars will suck you $2k dry, which doesn't leave money for wear items (which would be more worn on those than the civic), or any other number of other things that could die. I would be surprised if repairs are a scant $500 on those vehicles. I think I've paid around there on my sentra, and it's cheaper to fix.

Also, in regards to insurance are you considering only liability on those old ones vs. collision on the civic? If you are responsible for a crash on those old ones it will come out of your pocket!
Now if you sold the Civic (thus breaking even) and bought a $1000 Accord to drive in the mean time, THAT would be smart.
I've thought the same. If finances are the only important consideration, he can jump into the 93 sentra club with me!

tnjitsuHe bought it a while back but decided to sell it after it started having problems, and I think he made a slight profit on it.