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Deciding to fix or scrap the Volvo... 850 1996

Well, I'm torn. After almost 10 years and 200k miles, my faithful 850 has a fairly long list of "should maintain" issues. I have always been an aggressive Preventive Maintenance guy, but made a logical decision about 10 months ago to stop maintaining and start moving towards a different car. I had an 8 month project with about 1000 miles of driving each week, and I figured that I should wear the car out and scrap it in the spring.

So I did just that, but now I'm not wanting to scrap it. Not just fondness for the car - I'm inherently frugal (cheap) and I like the seats, dashboard, and classic boxy looks.

Here is the current maintenance list -

Due for a timing belt $700
Check engine light is on
Uses/drips a quart every 1000 miles
Battery is dying $80
3 of 4 wheels are slightly bent - no shimmy, but cupped tires howl a little. Needs 3 wheels straightened and 4 new tires $600
Worn lower control arm $300
Rear brakes - pads and rotors $300
CV Joint boot split - no noise yet, but... $300

Add all of that up, and it is greater than the value of the car.

On the other hand, Starts and runs great, stops straight, everything works, and the tranny has been well maintained.

Fix some? Fix none and scrap? Fix all and go another couple of years?

I looked at replacement cars, and am leaning toward a compromise - fix the safety issues (brakes, suspension) and ignore the motor and turn up the radio for the tires. Other vehicles considered - 2001 V70, or VW Passat, or Saab 9-5. Looking at European w/high efficiency small engine (turbo 4)

I guess two questions -

What to fix, and if not, what to get...

Thanks in advance.













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New Deciding to fix or scrap the Volvo... [850][1996]
posted by  kahlrichs  on Sun Jun 8 09:29 CST 2008 >


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