I have owned my Volvo (4-cyl 4+OD) for over 10 years(Car purchased May 1991).So far I have put on over 87K miles on it(Now has over 142K miles).Interesting is'nt it, that my neighbors have gone through several "generations" of cars in the time I have owned my Volvo.I can easily go for another 10 years! What is your experience?

1971 142 S - Nicknamed "Dutchess" by my streetrodding high school buddy. My dad bought it in the early 80s for my sister. But she couldn't stand the manual choke, so it was given to me. I killed it in '89 in a head-on. It was given to our family doctor who owned a body shop that worked on Volvos. (I literally cried when it was towed to the shop.) Five years later that doctor still had it and in a moment of irrational passion I bought it back with the intention of restoring it. Years later it remained in the garaged untouched, so once again I let it go, this time to an independent mechanic who also works on Volvos.

1973 144 E - Owned by my Dad sometime in the mid 80s. Got rid of it a few months later because a previous owner played Chief Engineer Scotty on the electrical system and screwed up many things.

1978 242 DL - Owned it after Dutchess died from 1989 to 1990. Gave it to my Mom for a trade-in on a new Bimmer. In return she gave me...

1984 244 DL - "Bob the Butterscotch Beast". Purchased by above-referenced Mom after she was impressed by Dutchess. Bob only had 3000 miles on him because he was driven by the dealer's wife and was used as a demo. I think my Mom bought Bob in 1985 (he was built in February 1984 in Canada), and she gave him to me in 1990 with 34,000 miles on him. He's my daily driver.

1982 244 DL - "Money Pit". A good engine and decent tranny. Everything else fell apart, was falling apart, or would fall apart immediately after I got the title. Bought it for my ex-wife in 1997. We're still friends so I continued to maintain it. After another wiring harness headed south, her mother bought a Geo Prism for her and I donated Money Pit to a local charity.

Whew. Didn't mean to bore anyone, but so few people want to hear my Volvo stories. When I'm old and gray, I'll probably end up on a park bench telling this to the pigeons.

My 245 is 358 years old. But I've only had it for 1. Bought it off a friend (family ownded since new) for $850. Paint is flawless. Still running smooth despite my unnecessary repairs!

"My 245 is 358 years old."

Is it the 1643 model year, or a 1644? Either way, you can't go wrong with a 1640's Volvo!

I bought my 1986 744Ti new in June of 1986 It had 156 miles on it and had been at the dealer for some time. I don't think anyone really wanted a stick shift so it waited for me. I have driven it over 273,000 miles and it has never let me down. I paid about $20,000 and suffered through car payments for 5 years, but it's mine and I just can't get rid of her. I just replaced the interior and have done some front end work and now I must fix the driveline. Like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going. My wife was so impressed, having been through several Toyota's and a Ford Explorer, we bought a 960 wagon. Smooth and powerfull, but car payments. So I have been keeping this one in tip-top shape. I just bought new tires and fixed up the A/C. Sure, it was expensive, but I plan to keep this wagon for quite a while too, it's got over 90,000 miles.

Several years ago a neighbor and I were talking about cars and he mentioned that I had bought a new car. I told him the age and mileage and he was speachless.

"Several years ago a neighbor and I were talking about cars and he

mentioned that I had bought a new car. I told him the age and mileage

and he was speachless."

Funny how this happens to me all the time. People who have no clue about Volvos all think you are crazy buying a used car with so much milage. If I had listen to my father-in-law, I would be driving a Civic by now for twice the price of my beloved 940...imagine...no, I can't even think about it!

Let's see, going back to the parents' fleet history:

1976 242DL - ~1.5 years (1977-6/78), sold

1979 244DL - 19 years (4/79-5/98) retired at 182,000+ miles (severe rust)

1980 245DL M46 - ~14.5 years (5/80-10/94) sold at 162,000 miles

1987 780 - ~8.5 years (3/93-8/01) sold at 99,000 miles

1990 780T - ~8 years (10/93-current) 82,000 miles

1991 944SE - ~4 years (12/97-current) 110,000 miles

Then there's my list:

1984 242Ti M46 - ~3 years (10/98-current) 89,000 miles

1991 944T+ - 2.5 years (10/97-7/00), sold at 123,000 miles

1991 945SE - ~7 years (10/94-current) 82,000 miles

The '79 and '80 240s will be the fleet champions in terms of "tenure" for some time, and are a fine testament to the sheer durability of that model. While neighbors were turning their cars over every 3 to 4 years, the 240s just kept hanging on. My folks were very reluctant to retire the '79, just shy of 20 years of service.

Eric

Here's my daily driver list. It would be too much to list the other

family ones or the volvos we have had.

First daily driver:1979 242dl bought in 1989 w/100k miles. Sold in

1995 with 188k miles.

Second daily driver 1982 242ti bought in 1995 with 120k miles. My

daily drive now with 255k miles. doing well.

My brother and I also shared a 1982 245t that we bought in 1992 with

103k miles. This was a cool car with an ASC electric sunroof. We sold

this to a friend in 1999 with 220k miles on it. Our friend my sell it

soon.

Dave 82 242ti

1988 745GLT 10 years and 152,000 miles, traded it for a new S70GLT.

1998 S70GLT 3 years and 39,800 milse (so far).

1989 245GL 12 years and 134,000 miles (and going strong)

1963 122S 2 years 11,000 miles by us and 311,000 miles by prior owners.

No major repairs have been needed by any of the above, in fact the only "major repair" was the tailshaft seal on the 745 )replaced at 110,000 miles).

Bought my 245DL in 1980 for $9,500. At that time and for the next few years I would hear things like, "oh, I would have liked to buy a Volvo but they are expensive, and I hear they cost a lot to maintain." Since then those same friends have been through many cars and many years of car payments, compared to my three years out of 21 years. Interesting I have not heard them make the same comments about my Volvo for a LONG time. They must have figured out the math on years of car payments, mine compared to theirs, - so why are they not driving brick also? Some people just like owning something new every few years I guess.

We bought our 86 240 DL in April of 1992 with 48,700 miles on it for $8,400.00

The car now has 218,600 miles. We are talking minimal repairs. Car runs smooth. I find that my neighbors and co-workers as well, have owned quite a few diff cars while I keep driving my 240. They always tell me how they know other people who are faithful Volvo owners and they drive their cars forever.

You think these people would catch on...Maybe owning a less reliable car is just an excuse for them to buy a different car every 3 or 4 years. I personally don't see the sense in it...but hey, I'm the guy driving the Volvo!!! Keep rolling and order up your high mileage medallions if you haven't already.

Best regards,

Jack W.

I owned my last brick for 2.25 years, and put 120000KM on it, i've owned my new brick for i dunno 4 weeks and i've already put 5K on it. so ever since i got my liscne i've owned a volvo... nothin' else

Jordan