Ok...The day has come to answer the big question about the future of our big Jay, a '93 Nautic Blue-on-Tan 945 N/A, now flirting with 135K. (I know, merely the break-in phase for the B230F red-block and that killer tranny.) We bought her in '97 with 65K miles and since have put oh, $2k/year or so into maintenance and repair. An expensive Volvo specialist does the real work, I play with minor repairs. This has included brakes and ignition parts, a new hood, plus...

60s: Water pump, rear wiper motor/linkage, antenna, A/C plumbing (expensive!!)
80s: Tail pipe, misc. exhaust hardware
90s: A/C condenser, seat heater, axle exhaust pipe, engine splash pan, horns
100s: All belts, front engine oil seals, LCA bushings, battery
110s: Headpipe, more exhaust hardware
120s: Fuel pump, radiator, water pump, temp sensor, a stabilizer link

Now she needs brakes all around, front rotors, a complete exhaust kit ($450), a radio, the infamous shift-lock switch repair, our 2nd (!) tailgate panel repair (chewed right through the aluminum repair kit!), tranny tailshaft bushing, worn paint/scratches here and there, and resolution of a dozen rattles in doors/windows/seats/ etc etc.

Well...not bad for an old broad.

But then, along comes her younger sister: A '94 945 Turbo, pure white on gray leather, with a mere 65K, selling for $8K. She has a driver's door which droops a quarter inch on her lower hinge so "she don't close quite right," and whose inside release lever rattles. Oh, and the radio burps a little static when you adjust the volume. Other than that, she is downright pristine; skins on the seats were always covered in sheepskin, unlike the ones on my 945 which my children used as bootscrapers. Paint is great, artfully touched up over the years. Put a deposit on her, but now I'm thinking.

So here's the question: Do I buy myself another 70K-mile round of fun with the new gal, for not a lot of money, and retire the current 945 to a loving shade-tree mechanic's home? Or do I sit tight, keep the money flowing and maybe pour some extra dough into new seat covers, needed paint work, etc.?

What would you do? Dying to know.

Thanks for listening, you folks are great.

--Greg

A real younger woman would cost a lot more than money...it would cost my life! (My wife's too smart and too volatile to mess with.)

Meanwhile, I succumbed to the '94 Turbo and, while I no doubt will have some new headaches to contend with, she's in great shape for starters and I am very much smitten with the Turbo.

Anyone interested in the N/A wagon? It may be in the Classifieds here soon!

Congrats... BOOST will put a smile on your face every time!

- Brian '93 945T

Man.....I was just about to ask you to send pictures of this young lady that you would give up your volvo for..When I figured out you were referring to another volvo....Damn the luck....

Keep the Volvo-a younger woman would be a lot more $$$ to maintain. At least you know what you've got and what the car needs.The newer one really would be like another woman...someone else is getting rid of'er because they're tired of 'er bitchin'!After a short time of fun(turbo),you start to see the flaws-next thing you know, the honeymoon is over.

Oh, yes, the Turbo thing.

I should have mentioned that. I have always lived pretty well with the N/A 4 cyl, but on many occasions when fully loaded and trying to, let's say, accelerate or pass on even a mild uphill grade, I have had to be very patient.

Yes, it would be nice to have the extra oomph. My other drive is a Passat 4 cyl turbo and I love it, although that is obviously more of a "fun to drive" car in all other categories. But for the 945 to be able to respond more briskly on those long-haul family drives would be a real plus.

I agree, it's a primary motivator in this decision.

Re: the door, my service advisor says it's very likely a bad hinge, can be easily swapped for a used one.

I'm leaning...

How much did you enjoy driving the turbo? I think that should be a big factor in your decision. If you really liked it, I would say go for it, especially if the car has decent service records that show regular oil changes and maintenance.

If the added power is not that big a deal for you, I think it might not be a bad idea to stick with the car you have, spend the $2k or whatever fixing all those things on your list... freshen it up inside and out. Then use the money you saved on a nice vacation or something else fun.

Let us know how it works out...

- Brian '93 945T

I myself look for cars like you are thinking of selling. You have replaced many of the major items that go out somewhere at or near 100K (maybe even sooner). The new owner should be able to fix up some of the other stuff, and have many enjoyable miles.

That is - if you sell her!

The turbo is fun. I have had some non-turbos, and liked them too. I have three turbos now, and almost lost my 920 745T (165K) to overheating a week or so back. When I took it into my mechanic, he commented that I was blessed that all was OK. He said that the turbos were not near as forgiving about getting hot - so I was really lucky.

Andrew in AL

Get the turbo as you'll enjoy the added power. Non-tubulated Volvos are too slow for me.
For a minute there, I was afraid that were thinking of getting rid of an older Volvo for a human woman....BIG mistake! :) (those are easier to find)