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To add to others' coments:
go to import/Volvo-mostly car shows of local club gatherings
practice removing things & learning systems at a pcik 'n pull
Establish a priority repair/preventative maintenancce habit and stick to it, given your limited funds (everybody's in that boat!) and untested knowledge and abilities.
for my last two Volvo acquisitions:
1984 244GL, 202K miles, crashed and sitting in a junkyard
1986 245DL, 185K miles, uncared-for, rotted floors, and sitting 6+ months in a field
my priorities were/are:
1. Do the very things it requires to make it safe and pass inspection,
2. Bring it mechanically into repair such that it can be put onto scheduled maintenance mode (as opposed to always needing to fix it)
3. Make it pretty, accessorize, add mods.
Note: Be RUTHLESS in sticking with this priority order, that is, don't move on to #2 before completing EVERYTHING in #1, for example.
Note #2: If your have to work through some item in #2 category on your way to a sfatey/inspection item, by all means, repair that ENTIRE SYSTEM at that time as funds, time, ability permit. If you need a tie rod end to pass inspection, for example, do both sides, but also consider updating the entire front steering system at this time: inner tie rods, boots, ball joints, maybe struts.
It'll need a front end alignment anyway. No sense replacing one or both tie rod ends, only to need rubber boots (AND another alignment) six months later.
Beleive me, you'll have many of those "do I do it now, or let it go?" decisions.
Create a budget and, maybe, a new income stream to help pay for your new habit.
A conservative cash need is $750 a year for annual maintenance, including scheduled PM stuff, like oil changes, tire change-overs, etc. PLUS some unforseen or "bad luck" repair job.
Note #3: Try, try again to fix a part, rather than buy a replacement. If you must replace, buy a used part, preferably one you pick 'n pull yourself (for the sake of developing knowledge and experience). Anybody can throw money at a car and have a nice ride (attend ANY "rice-burner" meet). What do you do if you don't have money? It is amazing to me how many parts on these cars can be fixed, before replacing. (when it came to the point of my taking apart faulty door switches, I began doubting my "time versus money" judgement. But it demonstrates just how for one can go in "making do")
Keep it Rolling!
Farewell,
Zee
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