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This is more of a rhetorical rant, so if you'd like to comment, I'd still be glad to hear what you have to say on the matter.
Since buying my '85 244 about 4 months ago, I've had the following go wrong or needed work:
- From the get go, the rear shocks and front struts were busted. First thing we had done, and done by Midas. Guaranteed which was nice, but a $1500 job. At this point we paid $200 for the car, so no real biggie. Rides much nicer obviously, but tie rods, ball joint and bushings front and rear may need to be done in the near future. Trail arm bushing for sure. Rear brakes were done as well as the suspension as they were grinding metal on metal.
- We changed the battery after much unreliability with the one that came with the car. Much better off now, but $100 later.
- I did some small work myself on the interior, replacing trunk carpets, center console parts and glove box cover with parts from the wrecker. Also changed the turn signal relay and tail light circuit boards myself. As well, replaced the winshield washer pump which I bought used from VolvoWorld. All in toll for parts $200.
- Now, the car was hard to start and stay charged and only ran if it was jump started before Xmas. I noticed when it was running, the lights faded when the heater fan or rear defrost was run at full tilt. I had a feeling it was wiring, and judging from the shoddy patchwork of wiring the guy who owned it before me had done, figured it was the cause and had something to do with the alternator. I took the car to Ed Schram here in Surrey and he went ahead with the repairs as I was told an "estimate" on electrical problems was kind of hard. While he was at it, he replaced the alternator, 3 belts and upper rad hose. He said the crappy wiring and fact that 3 items had no ground wires were causing big issues with the alternator and after 5 hours of work and diagnosis they finally found the issue. The wiring was returned to stock wiring and the guy at Schram said it was a miracle it ran at all, let alone didn't cause a fire. Now we're at $475 later.
None of this of course is including the cosmetic body work I'll need to do this summer on both the rear quarter panels behind the rear wheels.
As good as I feel about doing work on the car, and having work done on it when it needs a professional, I'm worried about where the hell to draw the line on cost? I mean all used cars start to suck money from your wallet and if nothing major goes wrong, you're luckier than most of us. The wife was so choked at the amount this latest trip to the mechanic cost, she asked me "where do we draw the line, costwise?"
Anyone ever felt like this with their brick? Wondered if it was worth all the time and effort, not to mention money? And if you ever just wanted to cut your losses and sell it off?
-Todd
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Canadian -'85 244 GL from Vancouver
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