Honoring the life and death of a great Volvo

Post by **tjc010** » 22 Feb 2012, 21:00

I just received the news from my mechanic today that my '97 850 T-5 Sedan passed away. Despite only having 25,000 on the timing belt, it was 3/4 off timing and it killed the valves. This Volvo was my first car and has brought me the happiest memories of my life. Want to thank matthew1, ozark lee and all the members that have helped me keep this car running. it died at the age of 189,643.7 miles.

If anyone in the central ohio area is looking to buy some parts, PM me.

Post by **fazool** » 23 Feb 2012, 09:17

tjc010 wrote:This ...was my first car and has brought me the happiest memories of my life."

Many of us can relate to that. If you feel that way, you might like this tribute to a boy's first car

One thing you might consider, if it really means that much to you is keeping it. I think a lot of us look back after a few decades and wish we still had our "old yellow car". Maybe you don't have the funds to repair it now and maybe parting it out will give you a few hundred dollars toward a new ride. And most people just need a new car, but for those who really have a strong connection to being a boy with their first car, I would say "hang on to it". Put it in a barn or a garage and leave it for a long time. You may have to give up a few hundred doallars now, but in many years you will have the funds to fix it up and in 10 or 20 years it might really mean something to you to teach your son to drive in your first car. Or to take your wife for a Sunday ride in the car that defined your youth. Or to have a waterfight with your daughter while you wash your first car in the driveway.

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Feb 2012, 10:48

RIP '97 850

Like some say with pets who pass away: Get another asap. It will help you recover.

I think Fazool's advice is good. I wish I'd kept my pea green Euro import '78 Porsche 924 and yellow(!) '71 Dodge Dart 2-dr 318. My grandfather bought it off the lot that year.

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 Feb 2012, 15:04

I still miss my first car. She was my first love

My brother made a tribute to it when he was 12.

I just can't bring myself to ever get rid of my Volvo - it's been a great car, even if I do have a love/hate relationship with the thing. So even when I get a new one, I'm going to keep it. It's part of the family

Yes, I'm a huge dork.

Post by **bronxnativ** » 23 Feb 2012, 16:22

74 Plymouth Valiant four-door, poop brown in color. Nah, I'm glad I got rid of it! No need to prolong my pain of having to look at it til my son turned 18; it was painful enough to have to pick up my dates in it.

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 23 Feb 2012, 21:58

Ooooh raggin' on a Valiant. My uncle (who I am living with) has one. I like the Valiants my uncle has a 72 and its his daily driver. I wouldn't be tradin' in my C70 for it anytime soon. But for a car that was sold for $500 ten years ago not to bad.

slimflex2 · Post by **slimflex2** » 23 Feb 2012, 22:19

tjc010 wrote:I just received the news from my mechanic today that my '97 850 T-5 Sedan passed away. Despite only having 25,000 on the timing belt, it was 3/4 off timing and it killed the valves. This Volvo was my first car and has brought me the happiest memories of my life. Want to thank matthew1, ozark lee and all the members that have helped me keep this car running. it died at the age of 189,643.7 miles.

If anyone in the central ohio area is looking to buy some parts, PM me.

how good is your drivers side cushion.l need one because mine is dying. ride is really unconfortable. l also need an evaporative canister and a turbo boost control. email me if you have these parts available.thanks

Post by **Thunderbox** » 26 Feb 2012, 17:09

PM sent from a fellow Central Ohio Buckeye.

Post by **wheelsup** » 27 Feb 2012, 22:11

My 850 was the first car I learned to drive on when I was 16. I'm 30 now and am keeping it alive and going. I agree with the above, anyone can go buy a new car but keeping something you have an attachment to alive and working means so much more. Good luck in whatever you do.