I bought a new car today!

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Apr 2012, 16:12

I finally bought the car that I've wanted for quite a while now!

I'll be starting a new job in the Washington DC area, and the Volvo just isn't happy around there. The roads are terrible, stop-and-go traffic kills any halfway decent gas mileage I'd get (I was getting 16-18 mpg from stoplight to stoplight, and gas is $4.20/gallon), and it was always hunting for gears keeping up with traffic around there between 35-50. I figure that would kill it before too long, and the S70 is a car I want to keep around for as long as I possibly can.

So I bought a 2012 Chevy Cruze LT in a 6-speed manual. Black metallic - the paint is BEAUTIFUL - on a black interior. It has the 1.4 liter turbo engine, and it's really fun and peppy to drive around town. What's more, I got 51 MPG from Cary to Durham on a 35-mile highway trip. If gas mileage stays that good, I'm going to love this thing even more!

Carlene will be passed down to my 17-year-old brother - he's already loved the car since I bought it and has promised to take very good care of it. What's more, he's even more of a DIY fixer-upper guy than I am so he'll get all of the small things that I've ignored (like the shiftlock override switch) taken care of and in like-new condition. I'm sure I'm leaving her in good hands, and I could never bear letting go of that car.

: Collin and his "new" car

Post by **matthew1** » 07 Apr 2012, 16:16

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Justin. Fifty one?! That's outstanding.

Manual - way to go. Good job, pun intended

.

Post by **donc** » 07 Apr 2012, 19:11

Justin:

Thank you for all of the absolutely correct help you have freely given to keep my 97 850 on the road, especially when I was stuck out west with a bad fuel pump! Best of success in your new job and with your new ride. I hope you will look in on us from time to time.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 07 Apr 2012, 19:14

Alright, so make sure to get cblackburn on the forums!

Post by **cmblackburn** » 07 Apr 2012, 19:39

That's affirmative! Carlene's getting a full cosmetic makeover. I found a 1998 S70 in the junkyard today, was a few hours late on the wood trim (some idiot smashed it) but scored a nice shifter and roof rails. She got a new windshield today, and will be getting 2 new tires later in the week. My only real roadblock is getting the stupid shiftlock switch back in; it's a real pain without removing the key lock cable. I also put 850 fender scripts on; I love them.
Justin, sorry to hijack your thread, but I just wanna show that I know somewhat of what I'm doing

Here's me with Carlene:

Here's the shifter I scored today:

Vs. The old:

And here's me fixing the broken wood on the console. Don't laugh at the clothes pins

She's definitely in gentle (and capable) hands. I've got experience working on my mom's 74 Bmw, but I've also helped Justin with a lot on Carlene =]

chesterpaw · Post by **chesterpaw** » 07 Apr 2012, 19:48

Congratulations on your new job.

They are hard to come by these days, and best of luck with that Cruze. Keep us posted.

Post by **rspi** » 07 Apr 2012, 20:21

Hey Justin. Thanks for being a part of the forum. Glad you will leave us in good hands. Have a blessed life.

@CMBlackburn: Nice score on the shifter. That old knob will bring about $25 to $30 on ebay.

Post by **osman** » 07 Apr 2012, 22:07

jblackburn you deserve it.
I know you and matthew,made in japan, misha, and ecbsykes,
have saved me countless dollars so I wish the best to you and all of the volvo family!

Post by **osman** » 07 Apr 2012, 22:14

sorry forgot about ozark lee and boosted5cyl

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Apr 2012, 23:43

Thank you for the wishes everyone! My life is about to become a whole lot busier, but I will still probably continue to have a presence around here - I feel like I know these cars like the back of my hand, so I'll try to help out wherever possible.