Should I invest in my 1994 Volvo 850?
#1
Should I invest in my 1994 Volvo 850?
The engine is good and the car has just 103,000 miles but I need to put a good amount of work into the car (new fuel pump, new radiator, brake job and more). How long should the car last me if I do all this and is it worth making this kind of investment in a 14-year-old car?
#2
Volvos can last well over 200,000 miles - with proper upkeep. But this includes frequent repair/replace and assumes timely oil changes, fluid changes, etc.
It seems to me that you have let the car go a bit, but maybe I'm wrong. If it has had proper lubricant changes then your major components are likely OK. You are due for a timing belt, turbo hoses, water pump about now. Heater core should be ready to leak if it hasn't already, too. And you will never again have a car that will run for a year with no 'issues'. Old Volvos are not new Hondas. Budget maybe 2500 for this year (less depending on how much you do yourself), that's the price of letting it go. Then about a 1000 a year.
Is it worth it? What else can you get for that kinda money? What is the "sentimental" value, if any, to you?
It seems to me that you have let the car go a bit, but maybe I'm wrong. If it has had proper lubricant changes then your major components are likely OK. You are due for a timing belt, turbo hoses, water pump about now. Heater core should be ready to leak if it hasn't already, too. And you will never again have a car that will run for a year with no 'issues'. Old Volvos are not new Hondas. Budget maybe 2500 for this year (less depending on how much you do yourself), that's the price of letting it go. Then about a 1000 a year.
Is it worth it? What else can you get for that kinda money? What is the "sentimental" value, if any, to you?
#3
Try not to get sentimental with cars, simply isn't worth it. If you can afford to replace the car, replace it and give the one you have away to some needy person like a college student. Point them to this site so they can fix it up and keep it running.
If you really can't afford to spend the $$$ on another car, fix it up. You will save a ton fixing it yourself and have a decent car that can last a while. I would agree to the monthly cost to maintain a 850, about $75 per month.
If you really can't afford to spend the $$$ on another car, fix it up. You will save a ton fixing it yourself and have a decent car that can last a while. I would agree to the monthly cost to maintain a 850, about $75 per month.
#5
The engine is good and the car has just 103,000 miles but I need to put a good amount of work into the car (new fuel pump, new radiator, brake job and more). How long should the car last me if I do all this and is it worth making this kind of investment in a 14-year-old car?
#7
Not sure what the alternative is? If it's buy another used car with a fair number of miles, and you know the car you have and exactly what's wrong with it, I'd say stick with that you have.
These cars will go 200,000+ miles as far as the structure, engine and transmission, but they do need fixing, which isn't cheap. Stay away from the dealer and either try to do some things yourself or to find an independent garage who is competent to work on it.
NADA reports that the average new car sold in 2009 was sold for $28,400, which buys a lot of repairs though :-). It's almost always cheaper to fix what you have, barring a real lemon or a big catastrophe, than to buy new.
These cars will go 200,000+ miles as far as the structure, engine and transmission, but they do need fixing, which isn't cheap. Stay away from the dealer and either try to do some things yourself or to find an independent garage who is competent to work on it.
NADA reports that the average new car sold in 2009 was sold for $28,400, which buys a lot of repairs though :-). It's almost always cheaper to fix what you have, barring a real lemon or a big catastrophe, than to buy new.
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777funk
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03-17-2009 01:54 PM