Is it just me or does anyone else buy accessories instead of needed items?
With the money I've spent on fog lights,CD player(s),Amp,speaker upgrades,gauges/senders,dash cover,tach,strut braces,cowl covers etc.
I should be buying oil,oil filters,seals,tires,exhaust and the laundry list of parts I know I'll need down the road.
For instance right know I'm putting in power windows when I could be changing the leaking pinion seal and replacing the tailshaft bushing/extension housing seal.
I guess sometimes you just don't feel like lying on your back in the driveway,instead you hang out on the B.B. and lately ebay....
--
philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

If we were practical all the time, this would be Sweden.

And Time...I've got an 89 244 that is nearly ready to sell just stop a couple of leaks and I stand to make a good profit...so what do I do?? I spend the last 2 weekends replaceing the steering rack and adding a set of 15 inch novas and a bunch of general degreasing to a 76 244...that I started out 3 different times to part out...just can't seem to bring my self to scrap the little bugger...seems that every little thing I do to it produces dramatic results...I think it just really wants to live...

I'm up to 9 now and I guess I'm getting a reputation...people are starting to call me... wanting to know if I want to buy their volvo's
Bret
--
rust free in west Texas

I typically address needs first and wants second, because that's my dad's philosophy. He instilled it in me in a number of situations, but one always stands out in my mind and brings a smile to my face. When I was 16, I saved enough money to buy a 1968 Jeep Wagoneer (what a cool ride that was!). Several months after the purchase, I had saved enough to buy a top-of-the-line cassette deck (remember the kind with the pull-out chassis?). My dad took all of my hard-earned money (and me) to Sears and spent every cent on Craftsman tools. That was almost eleven years ago, and I still have all of the tools. The radio that I eventually bought is long gone.

I also tend to have a disharmonious feeling whenever anything on the car is out-of-whack. To me, it's worth a delay in spiffing up the car to make all of the systems up-to-par first. To paraphrase Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, if you don't think that the car is right, then it's not right.

That said, I'm saving my pennies for some Cibie's to replace the sealed beams on my wagon. :) Seeing the road clearly at night will also give me harmony, and hopefully help prevent me from hitting (another) deer!

Take care,
Keith
--
1983 245 Turbo, 165K miles; 1987 244 DL, 272K miles; 1980 244 DL (RIP); 1966 Ford Bronco- straight six, three-on-the-tree, NO frills

I do keep up with the mechanical repairs too,I recently replaced the PS fluid,coolant/T-stat,spark plugs,oil/filter,cleaned the flame trap and replaced the voltage regulator.I will be tackling the u-joints and strut assembly on my wagon over the weekend.I should also get the studded snows off the SAAB soon...The list goes on.
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philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

Look at it this way. You can buy almost any accessory and part that you want or need. It is still cheaper than the depreciation you'd experience the minute you'd drive a new one off the lot.

So if this keeps your from buying a new one, you're ahead of the game. But do make sure you take care of it's needs too....

-Ted

hi there philvo i just bought a nother brick last night i dont really need it but i really want it. hoping the wife is in a better mood tonight. what i really need now is a parking attendant for my driveway, or a extra large shoehorn to fit in all my vehicles. buy the way it was a gamble from ebay, a 85 244 turbo/intercooler. always wanted one. i guess i will have to sell my wagon i been fixin for four months, and all it needs is rear rotors. never did get that one titled in my name or on the road legally. ;}

Sometimes, we all just need a break from the practical. :)

It's all human nature, if you ask me. Kinda like why I rather read/reply here instead of working. :)

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Thanks, now I feel better.I'll tell my wife Kane said it was OK to feed my volvo addiction instead of cleaning the basement;>0
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philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

Simple --- We all strive for new, thats what makes your birthday so much fun. It sure isn't adding on another year.

You already have a tailshaft bushing and seal. Power windows, now that's something you can really see. Replacing the tailshaft bushing and seal is about as exciting as a brand new water heater.

Dan

You nailed it.
Last weekend I spent 8 hours under my Pickup truck. I did all Ball joints and Repacked the bearings. 4WD so I have to pull the Hub and spindle and slide out the Axles to do Upper and Lower Joints.
After a long frustrating day, What do I have??? A truck that acts the same as it did before I got dirty.
It's not very suportive when I drag the wife out and say "Look, nice shiny new BAll Joints for you truck, you should feel it in the steering." Her response..."Yeah , OK, thanks."
There's nothing tangable there.

--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwr and two motorcycles: it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Dan,I thought for sure you were gonna get the locking gas cap!Oh well keep checking as I keep seeming to find things that sell!
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philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

Yes sir......"sometimes you just don't feel like lying on your back in the driveway,instead you hang out on the B.B. and lately ebay...." particularly when the driveway is slush / ice / patches of mud and hundreds of infant rivers !!!

Hey, Phil you picking up the MA 240's ??

Al
--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in hibernation; 89, 245 DL, 240K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.

If there is a 240 I can drive/tow home for $200 and part it out for 10x that i'll do it.Nice seeing you again Al.
--
philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

Never mind accessories. Some of us keep buying more cars. We can't save them all.

Erich Zappe
Ottawa Canada
84 244DL, 84 244GL, 83 242T

No kidding,I've got 3 swedes in the driveway and one in the yard.
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philvo '86 245 218k,'90 240 198k,'87 SAAB 900 SPG 213k

i just recently had to sell all my cars except for my 245, glad i held on to the cars for as long as i did though, they really came through in this financial pinch. the one i miss the most is(er, was i mean)my 68 camaro. but i'd rather sleep in a house than the back seat of the car.

i'm glad i held on to the brick, it's one of the most useful, reliable, easilly maintained, and enjoyable car i've ever had.

getting back on topic, i recently had both of my highbeams blow out on the bulbs in my big square 1986 headlights. and in response i decided to wire in a pair of Hella 500 driving lamps instead of simply replacing the bulbs. need and want sort of blur together on that one.
although, when it comes to the v8 swap i plan on doing, that's pure want.

well, should probably get back to work on this cloudy san diego friday morning. knowing me i'll probably be back on b.b. in 5 minutes.