my transition to the dark side is complete

wheeler000 · Post by **wheeler000** » 11 Mar 2013, 12:14

I finally realized today that despite my constant worrying about the Volvo, the fact that things rattle and shake and get stuck and go out of whack and there always seems to be some part that cost as much as a used Honda Civic to repair going bad on it, and it seems to be such a hodgepodge of parts, part Italian part Japanese part Swedish, and God only knows how it all works together, and the fact that the aluminum engine is constantly subject to a bad tensioner bearing or something destroying the whole thing, and that it is in general every bit as finicky as a high end BMW and not nearly as pretty....that I love it and all that stuff has somehow become a source of pride. I feel like I must protect it from those who would not keep it running. my baby ain't going to no junk yard.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Mar 2013, 12:57

Well said. I don't agree with every point, especially the looks, but overall not far off the aggregate P80 devotee's opinion.

I think the front fender/quarterpanel makes the car, visually. I finally put my finger on it while staring at my 850 one day recently. The wheel arch, the fender flare, the slope that meets the hood -- there wasn't a better shape in all of the 1990s automotive design IMHO. The lower the car, the more this gorgeous shape is pronounced.

wheeler000 · Post by **wheeler000** » 11 Mar 2013, 13:03

Don't get me wrong I think she's pretty. I was thinking of the 1985 BMW 635 CSI when I said that. I dare you to show me a prettier car that doesn't have a Ferrari logo on it somewhere. But I'm really happy with the way my ball the looks.

wheeler000 · Post by **wheeler000** » 11 Mar 2013, 13:08

Dang...typo. I meant to say how my Volvo looks, although I am NOT disappointed with the looks of my ball but that is a whole different subject.

Post by **mercuric** » 11 Mar 2013, 15:27

Man, i wrote off so many red cars on my last car hunt. Just can't do it. Unfortunate because it seemed like for a good year every vehicle I'd find in good shape for a good price was red! Silver/black does it for me, though

My transition to the dark side isn't quite complete yet.. I still have an 88 745. I'm keeping it just to remind me how much easier the RWD cars are to work on, and because it refuses to die.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Mar 2013, 16:36

I dare you to show me a prettier car that doesn't have a Ferrari logo on it somewhere

Just sayin...

But I agree. I was actually thinking of selling my car and getting back into a Volvo because the payments are too much with the cost of living here and on a single income.

They are GREAT cars...if well taken care of. I still haven't driven anything short of a Mini Cooper compared to the Volvo that put as much of a smile on my face when I drive it or just look at it sitting in the driveway.

Some things are difficult to access, but the majority of it is quite easy to work on as a DIY guy.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Mar 2013, 16:39

1+,

I think the 1984-97 850, 1998-2000 S/V70 series was one of the best Volvo produced because:
- aesthetically it is nice.
- it is now inexpensive as a used car.
- 99% issues have been worked out and shared extensively on the internet, making it easy and inexpensive to fix.
- it is a safe car.

The newer cars (such as 2004+ models) have more gadgets and does not mean they are better from an engineering stand point.

I used to have a 1991 Volvo 240 5sp and have to agree that the RWD models were great and easy to work on.

wheeler000 · Post by **wheeler000** » 11 Mar 2013, 16:42

oh yeah, I don't know how but I momentarily forgot about the gullwing; maybe the most beautiful car ever built.

wheeler000 · Post by **wheeler000** » 11 Mar 2013, 16:55

okay I take it back. the dang thing knows when I'm talking about it. no sooner than I typed that there was a more beautiful car I go outside and it's got a headlight out. last time I talked about selling it, it blew the power steering pump up. hell hath no fury like a Volvo scorned; I guess.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Mar 2013, 17:02

jblackburn wrote:I was actually thinking of selling my car and getting back into a Volvo because the payments are too much with the cost of living here and on a single income.

I haven't had a car payment for 9 years. It's been... nice.

jblackburn wrote:They are GREAT cars...if well taken care of.

Stage 0 (including all fluids, PCV, timing belt, tires, rotors, brake pads) at 77k was the best thing I ever did for my 850. It was a big, expensive breakdown-preventing exercise that has allowed my 850 to run smoothly for six years.

I bought some parts from FCP, some from iPD, and made arrangements with my mechanic back in Seattle (Katy's Northern European) to do the work. He made his money, I saved some money, I didn't have a garage or even parking spot back then so I was double happy I didn't have to do the work on the street in November in Seattle.