Greetings,

Long time since i've posted on the board here.. hope everyone is doing well and having fun with thier bricks!

My 84 240DL is still doing good... it has required little work since i completed basic restoration of it! I still love volvo as much as ever.

So, last friday, my other vehicle... a 1996 F-150, got totaled! some idiot ran a red light and I tboned him going about 35 or 40. no injuries thank God, but both vehicles are totaled. it was a 92 ford tempo. dang that punk kid for running the light! he was on the job and everything.. went flying through a red light after i had green for almost 5 seconds. at least his insurance admited fault, as did he.

so what im going to get for the totaled truck minus what I owe comes out to just about the exact price of a 1989 744 turbo i found today. It is being sold by a local reputable independent volvo-only shop, and has been thier loaner car they let people drive while thier vehicles are being worked on. it's been cared for by them, and kept in very good appearance. They are providing a 30 day mileage indepedent warranty for any mechanical problems.

it's got 160000 miles.. a little high...
but here's some pluses:

a) almost perfect interior... leather is still fresh and everything! a few minor cracks on the dashboard.. very minor though.
b) almost perfect exterior - shiny teal blue paint, no major dings or scrathes, a few minor little scratches and one small (dime sized) ding on the rear (you have to look for it)
c) new turbo, less than 1000 miles on it - old one locked up and they replaced it at the shop.
d) nearly new cylinder head (replaced 6 months ago) - raditor failed, engine overheated, head warped. block was inspected and they claim its OK. radiator replaced with a nissens all metal radiator. timing belt, gaskets, and water pump replaced along with the head.
e) AC converted to R134 a year ago with a major overhaul.. blows nice cold air
f) tranny shifts very smoothly and with the expected level of firmness for a turbo auto.
g) basic tuneup done - fresh wires, plugs, rotor/cap, timing, fuel system (mixture) calibration

all in all, everything looks to be in good shape. the undercarriage looks clean and I couldnt find any rust. I test drove it, and enjoyed the ride quite a bit!

only things I noticed wrong:
a) steering makes a little noise, only at full turn, kinda a whiny noise... sounds power steering related. other than that, the steering is tight (didnt notice any play)
b) minor vibration above 70mph. the tires are pretty old and will require replacement. I was told the wheels were checked and they are not bent, they think it's just the old tires.

I'm going to have my brother drive it as a second opinion on the feel of the car, and take it to another independent volvo shop for an inspection.

So.. 1989 740 4door turbo w/ 160k, $4000, with some pretty major recent work and service records to go with it, 30 day warranty, from a reputable local volvo specialist... whats your thoughts on this? anything bad about this year/model? things to look for? good deal?

This will be my first 740, I dont know a lot about the caveats of a 1989 740 turbo... much more knowledgable about 240's! so feel free to fill me in.

Thanks for any input!

-Nathan
ntaylor@nabi.net