My mechanic's bodyshop does the best rebuild/welding/framework I've ever seen. He's also got a yard with about 5 - 800 wrecked Volvos.

One of the better wrecks is a normally aspirated, 5-speed manual transmission silver 1997 Volvo 850 sedan with 96,400 or so miles on the odo. It's silver, has velour seats, moonroof, spoiler. Interior is near perfect, and, aside from damage to the hood, front left fender, left rear quarter panel, the car appears to be in pretty good shape, appears to've had proper maintenance. My mechanic said he can get the body parts he needs from another 850 of the same year/color. It'll take him 3-4 months to complete the project, and I'm expecting the finished car to cost between $5 - 7,000.00.

I've seen the work these guys do, and their rebuilt wrecks look like nearly new cars.

So I'm wondering, is this a good idea? Also, what's a serpentine belt on an 850?

I'm looking for a car to drive for the next 10 - 15 years. In my current job I'm driving about 3,000 miles a month in a 1987 740 GLE with 274,000 miles - the most reliable car I've ever owned - I just wish it had a manual transmisson and about 60 more horsepower.

I have substantially upgraded the 740's suspension with new OEM gas turbo 700 series car shocks and used components from 700 series turbo wagon. Also a lower chassis brace (the budget model $46.xx from IPD). I took a couple of poorly maintained 850s for a spin in the country yesterday to see what an 850 drives like. There's no comparison between a poorly maintained 850 and obsessively maintained 740. I was glad to get back into my own car.

I've been reading this board and OZbrick's 850 pages - your thoughts and advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

C.