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How much to spend!!! This is a Volvo disease. I keep records of each Volvo I have owned - 59 since 1979. All were worth it in my opinion. Currently, I have four to maintain plus two with in-laws that are marginaly maintained by me.
First on the list:
86 240 wagon with 147k bought it in 98 for $3000 with 100K - put 3500 in parts over that time frame. Car is worth $1400-2200 now. Engine is still pristine and burns no oil - 25mpg hwy. But it has IPD bars, all front suspension, done, brakes, wheel bearings, AC still works with new compressor 3 years ago, michelins (front two are 5 years old and still good). As an 86 it's showing a bit of rust, but it is worth far more than $1500 in terms of reliability, etc. It is the car to haul college stuff and go to the Home Depot or lowe's.....$6000 invested over 5 years.
94 850 wagon - just got this in July to replace a wrecked 95 850. Cost $3950 with 100K miles - one owner. I put $1200 in parts right away - new timing belt, water pump, tensioner, new hoses, plugs, cap - rear brakes (have fronts sitting on the shelf). I hope to get 50K -75K out of this one before I move up to newer one. About $5000 invested. So far the results are great - it's due for a tranny flush and new front rotors and brakes before winter. Maybe some foglights! I see the same car on ebay for $5500-$6400.
93 850 167K got this one a year ago for $900. Needed all brakes, timing belt, water pump, all tires - put about $2200 in it so far. Sister took it to Florida in July 2500 mile trip and not a peep out of it (except the ac quit). It had a new trans at 160K (one reason I bought it) and shows signs of another 50K - 70k easy. Does need some front suspension parts which I will do slowly. So about $3200 invested and I still could get that for the car.
88 740 sedan - 174K just got this one for $200 a few weeks back. Previous owner put a new trans from AAmcco for $2200, drove it 500 miles and the cam seized. I spent $1000 on parts - reman head, timing belt, all hoses etc. I have it running, but it needs a new oil pump and I will do rod bearings too. Body is great and I have a used ebay fender that matches for $50 that will make the body superb. If I get the oil pump in and it runs well, I will have $1200 in parts and the cost of the car. Worth around $2500-3000 if I finish it, so $1200 here.
On all four cars I have 15,400 invested with only one being five years old to me - the rest are all in the past year - so around 10k for this year. Most folks have a car payment on one car for that amount. I have four paid for cars - both the 94 and 93 are great on mileage and look good. The 94 850 was a $28,000 car 10 years ago, so I figure I can't lose on that one, baring any major malfunction.
I've oftem wondered how much I have spent since 1979 on my Volvos. Pretty hard to estimate, but the amazing factor is still that many of the cars I sold gave me a good price to buy the next one. I've sold a few for the same price I paid - even after driving them two or three years. I've given a few to relatives and junked maybe one or two. It is an affliction!
Bob Weber
Hamilton, Ohio (Battleground State)
59 Volvos since 1979
VCOA member
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