This is not something we think about lightly, but sadly, it may be something my wife and I need to do.

As such, I'd like all of your opinions as to what it's worth.

1997 850 GLT (LPT)
149,XXX miles
Recent full timing belt service
New battery
Needs ABS Module (I will most likely replace before selling)
Spoiler
Sunroof
Good tires (not new, but good)
Cracked windshield (but no leaks)

Why are we thinking of selling? A lot of reasons actually. But mostly because we are expecting a baby in August and with the current economy in our town, we are doing everything we can to save money and get out of debt. We love the Volvo and know it's reliable and safe, but the routine maintenance, as we all know, can add up! It does need a new windshield, and probably new struts soon. We are also wanting something with more cargo capacity (an 850 wagon would be good, but I'm so picky, I can't find one I'd actually buy.) The vacuum line break we had last year hurt us in the pocket as well. We are looking to sell the Volvo private party, buy a cheaper automobile, and use the difference to pay off debt/add to our "baby fund."

I already know what we will get to replace the Volvo should we decide to go this route, I'd just like opinions on how much we could get. (We've already made a large list of pros/cons with our second auto of choice, and so far, it's beating the Volvo.)

Thanks in advance, you guys are great!

 

First of all, check with your insurance company. In Kentucky fixing a windshield is a no deductible fix. Low retail in NADAwww.nada.comis $3400 & high retail is $5525, while in Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.comexcellent retail is $6935. Quite a range in values. Don't know what shape your 850 is in but I would think if it is somewhere in the middle your looking at $5000 to $5500. If it is in excellent shape you could get more. Hate to see you get rid of it but I understand the family comes first.

 

I will be checking with my ins. company, but I'm pretty sure our deductible is higher than the price of the windshield.

I really hate to sell it also; it's been a fantastic car and is amazing to drive. For the most part,it has been reliable.But our house has dropped in value significantly the past two years and the way things are going, we want to cover ourselves financially. Our area is not doing well economically.

Quick, someone find me an 850-R Wagon with 100,000 miles, new timing belt and $4500. [8D]LOL

 

>Our area is not doing well economically.

I don't think anyone is doing well at the moment except Ch......[8D].

I personally think the GLT would be less than $3,500 plus/minus.

I hope you're not replacing it with a F......

Even after you sell the Volvo, be sure to come to General Volvo Chat or Off Topic for your prospective vehicle.


JPN

 

No JPN... F*** (ford) is a bad word in our house too. [8D]

My wife and I have been discussing our finances the past couple of days, and I've been contemplating things all morning. I think I have another solution that could end up with us upgrading our 850GLT to an 850-R ... and still come out financially ahead.

 

KBB Private Party is $4,500 in good shape and $5,000 in excellent shape.

My question is how are you going to buy a car better than that for less than that and still have money to pay off some bills and/or put money away for the baby? I don't find my cars costing much at all to maintain. I have never changed the struts on any of mine and won't unless they start leaking. Now I can see wanting a wagon, but if this is your 1st child you don't really NEED a wagon yet.

Remember the safety features of the Volvo when that new one arrives. All three of my children have little ones and they all own Volvo's. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

Actually, it involves selling my paperweight. It doesn't make much sense for us to hold on to my Typhoon, if we aren't going to be driving it and we certainly won't have money to put into it, to make it what I want it to be for quite some time. Basically, we would sell the current Volvo and the Typhoon, replace them with one lower mileage Volvo and put the rest in the bank.

But in all honesty,we really don't know what we're going to do at this point. We are just throwing ideas around and seeing how they sound if we actually talk about them. It doesn't do us any good to keep them in our heads and not see if they have any merit.

It's also completely possible we'll keep the current Volvo and Subaru and just sell the Typhoon. It would break my heart, but it's just a car. I can always get another one. . . even a better one. Or try something different next time.

Thank you guys for your input. I truly appreciate it. Of my wife and I's friends, none are "car people" and don't look at vehicles the same way we do (and you here do.) It helps to have advice of people who think cars are more than just tools to get from A to B.

 

Or how fast we can get from A to B.

 

Or how safely and coolly[8D]we can get from A to B.

 

Selling the GLT to get and R wagon, that's a fine move.

 

You guys are.....awesome!!!


JPN

 

I have just a base 850 Estate and while some of the repairs have hurt, I to would rather walk than drive another car as long as it isn't too far, too cold, too hot, too wet too.....aw, the heck with it. I'd Rather Drive My Volvo

Unless the R version was fully serviced I would wonder about future maintainance as I thought a the R version might cost more to maintain.

Good luck future #1 dad.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Well... at the moment, everything is on hold. [8D]

Ihad even listed my Typhoon for sale. We got some good news from our midwife last night. We didn't know this, but we could get anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 back after the birth. That's money we are not counting on, by any means, but if it does indeed happen, we won't have to do anything with our current car situation. . . at least, not for a while.

We are still exercising our options though, and of course, after we decide not to make any decisions at the moment, I find 2 yellow 850-R's for sale... one only 60 miles away! [:@]

 

pardon my ignorance but what is a Typhoon? I could never turn down

a yellow 850 T5R, that may be my all time favorite. Now I know what a

midwife is, my wife is a home-birth midwife. Welcome to fatherhood!!!.

 

any temptations:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...amp;cardist=60

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/630790036.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/car/611589837.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/car/634692542.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/car/624576926.html

 

I know you were joking but I did see this, of course100k isnear impossible for that price.

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/586986126.html

 

Hey now

I think I'm in love with the Black one [sm=drlove.gif]Gimme, gimme, gimme [sm=signs007.gif]

That is one fine looking ride [sm=badbadbad.gif]


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

not as close but you probably can get it for 5K.
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=96360

or maybe for QuickBrick who is closer.

 

You guys are so cruel. [8D]

Actually, I know it's not a wagon... but this is what I currently have my eye on: http://denver.craigslist.org/car/633380965.html

And I'd love to have this one: http://tinyurl.com/56qwtu

But it's justa bit too far away at the moment.

Like I said though, everything is on hold for the moment.

Edit: I forgot to post this one.... I dream about this car in my sleep. http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=95891

 

totally agree with all your comments. Good-luck!