Hello, hopefully some of you who have dealt with the insanity of driving and parking in Manhattan will relate. I couldn't agree more with those of you who will find my situation ridiculous.

My '95 850 sedan has been parked in the same spot since January. I found a spot on a street (right in front of my building!) with suspended "alternate side" parking rules and I haven't moved it since. The first two times I checked on the car, it started. The third time, the battery was dead. I didn't bother to call AAA for a jump-start because I knew that I would need to keep the engine running to hold the charge in the battery and I didn't want to leave my parking spot. The battery is old (perhaps original) and definitely due for replacement.

Every week I anxiously check the signs to see if parking rules have been reinstated. So far, so good, but construction on the building next door is almost finished (the reason for suspended rules). Besides, I may actually want to use my car, and probably, it isn't the best thing for my car to just sit there with a dead battery? Hopefully, I haven't caused any long term damage.

So, my questions are:

1. Should I buy a new battery (pre-charged, I assume) and put it in myself? Are there any special circumstances, tricks (special tools required, etc.) to installing a battery in a '95 850 4-door or is it fairly straightforward? (I just remembered ... can I search this site for instructions? I'll look. )

2. The gas tank recall applies to my 850 model so I need to take my car into a Volvo repair shop. Other issues:
-- a cracked and broken headlight cover (unit) on the front passenger side,
-- a loose under-body (front-end) protector,
-- oil change/ regular service.

I'm also interested in some body work to repair minor to moderate scraping/denting over rear wheel on passenger side. Body work is lower priority but I am more concerned about rust now that the car is exposed to snow and salt (we didn't have that in Georgia.)

Any recommendations for places that do quality work, fair price Volvo repairs?

I live near (south of) Columbia University on the Upper West Side. The Paramus/ Palisades/ Hackensack part of New Jersey is easy to get to via the Geo. Washington bridge. I'm willing to go elsewhere ... just give me directions.


Thanks!

Ellee H.