As indicated by my subject line, I am so happy to be back here. Having been (sadly) Volvo-less for the past two years, I've finally scrounged up enough cash to purchase my third brick (this is what I get for being a poor college kid)...a 1989 244DL. While I miss the sunroof and leather that my GL(s) had, I still have my power windows and locks :).

And now that I'm back, I have two questions.......

The first: The car's radio is completely dead. It's an original equipment radio, which may explain things. I have an aftermarket (Radio Shack Optimus) radio, which, when last used (back in 1997 on an old Mustang I had), worked just fine. My question is this---how hard is it to replace the radio in this car? Just as a heads-up, I'm about as mechanically inclined as a dungbeetle. If this is something that cannot be done relatively easily, does anyone know where I could have this radio installed (cheaply)? I live in New Jersey....

2:...which brings me to my next question. Since I live in the great Garden State, I'm going to have to take this car through inspection. The tires are good, all the lights work, the brakes work, etc. I don't know if it's going to go through emissions or not (it has aprox. 233K on it), and there are interior pieces that are falling apart, which might land me a failure for safety (the glovebox door keeps falling down, there is a busted map pocket on the driver's door, and a busted radio grille on the passenger's door. The map pocket can be easilly removed, if I'm not mistaken. The radio grille can be taped up and stuff. How about the glove box door? I think the latch might be broken, but I don't have the money to replace it right now. Other than a nice, big piece of duct tape, what else can keep this door closed? Or, better yet....are there any NJ residents that know of a gas station that would pass the car with an extra deposit, so to speak?

And now that I think of it, I have a third question.....the driver' side rear door will not open. Why, I don't know. The car has power locks, and they work fine. The door handle on the outside will lift...but the squeeze handle on the inside does not want to operate. How would I go about fixing this? Or am I better off leaving it alone?

The body and (most of) the interior are in great shape. The a/c works, as does the clock. It's sort of a gold color, with tan cloth. With tax, doccument fees (I bought the car from a dealer) and transfering of my tags, I paid $600.00 for the car. From what I can tell, it seems solid enough....

Any insight would be great!

Thanks,

Steve
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Volvo....for life. Steve 1984 244 GL (Sven)