|
To sell, or not to sell. To stop. To drive (my volvo) no more!
Well. Here's the deal. My 90 volvo 740 turbo has a new engine (and numerous other parts) in it, and is mechanically in good condition except for what feels like a slightly worn tie rod and crumbling aftermarket taillight sockets. On the other hand, it is superficially in lousy condition.
I have a list of about 25 things I want to fix or change, from the thrashed seats to the now-bubbly tint film. From the door switches to the e-brake cable I never replaced. From the dirty engine bay to the flaking paint and dented hood.
I've had my 740T since I started driving at 16 in 2003. I've put in numerous parts, including a sweet L-block B230FT out of a 94 940T, but it feels like I may just be dumping money down the drain.
I'm a sciences student, so most of my time is consumed with difficult schoolwork, and I'm on a slightly better than meager income.
I have an 84 244dl stick, and to be honest, I can't stand it. It's very much not my style, and it has all the annoying problems my brick(740) had when I started with it - like the worn out accessory bushings, rattly suspension, exhaust rattle, and the more serious suspension issues, cooling system, valve adjustment, etc. Neither car was well cared for, but I know nothing about the 240. The 240 is much lower maintenance, but I am much more likely to sell them both and buy myself a newer toyota pickup or a late-80's ford ranger than I am to keep the 240.
So? When and where do you guys draw the line and sell a car? It's got 285,xxx miles on it, and I always wanted to see 300,000 at least. It shows a lot of the miles, but driving it feels like driving a car with 50K on the clock - other than the cosmetic/minor issues.
I've overhauled: fuel system, front and rear suspension, all brakes, front hubs/rotors, accessories, headliner, sunroof, egr, iac, cooling, and maybe a few other systems. I made a list of what there is that bothers me a lot and there is to fix, including an $800 (relatively cheap) paint job. I intentionally overestimated, but the total came to $2200-2500 in parts and a few farmed out jobs, and 55-65 hours of labor.
Also - will it ever be a classic? And would anybody want to buy it?
A little more of Hamlet seems fitting:
To Be or Not to Be? That is the Question.
Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer
The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them...
Do I fight on? Or do I cut the cord?
Either way, Happy Bricking!
--
1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond
|
