Long-time Volvo owner quits lurking, now participating
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Long-time Volvo owner quits lurking, now participating
I've been lurking here a few months, picking up tidbits of info, getting a feel for the forums, and learning a few things about Volvos. But after buying my son a Volvo this afternoon I decided it is time to jump into the fray and start contributing what I can, and asking questions of members.
A bit about my. I have a background in journalism, photography, and technical writing. After being semi-retired for two years I got a job as the service coordinator at a Volvo dealer in Texas. My current daily driver is a 1994 850 Turbo with 156k miles. My wife drives a 2007 V50 with a few thousand miles (bought new in early November). And today I went out at lunch and bought our 21-year-old son a 1979 242GT with 874,000 miles. That is not a typo. Only set me back $800. Runs fines (with the original engine and tranny) but is, ahem, cosmetically challenged. I figure it will only take about $1500 to fix the cosmetic issues and replace a few seals that are leaking. The overdrive still works on the car, and the clock even shows the correct time. I'm beginning to wish I had put my name on the title and kept looking for a car for the kid.
These are not our first Volvos. We started with a 1971 142 in the mid late 80s. Being fresh out of college we didn't have the budget to keep that car running. Our next Volvo was a 1976 164 (big mistake). We then leased a 1986 850, and bought a 1999 S70. The 850 was an excellent car, but the S70 turned out to be a lemon. We sold it after two years and too many electric gremlins to remember. As you can see, though, we are firmly back in the Volvo camp. My 850 replaced a 2001 Ford Focus that died at 150,000 miles. The wife's V50 replaced a 2002 Saab 9-5 Wagon that spent more time in the shop than on the road. The son's 242GT is replacing a 1998 Mazda 626 that is falling apart at 150,000 miles.
I look forward to exchanging ideas, photos, and pleasantries on these forums.
A bit about my. I have a background in journalism, photography, and technical writing. After being semi-retired for two years I got a job as the service coordinator at a Volvo dealer in Texas. My current daily driver is a 1994 850 Turbo with 156k miles. My wife drives a 2007 V50 with a few thousand miles (bought new in early November). And today I went out at lunch and bought our 21-year-old son a 1979 242GT with 874,000 miles. That is not a typo. Only set me back $800. Runs fines (with the original engine and tranny) but is, ahem, cosmetically challenged. I figure it will only take about $1500 to fix the cosmetic issues and replace a few seals that are leaking. The overdrive still works on the car, and the clock even shows the correct time. I'm beginning to wish I had put my name on the title and kept looking for a car for the kid.
These are not our first Volvos. We started with a 1971 142 in the mid late 80s. Being fresh out of college we didn't have the budget to keep that car running. Our next Volvo was a 1976 164 (big mistake). We then leased a 1986 850, and bought a 1999 S70. The 850 was an excellent car, but the S70 turned out to be a lemon. We sold it after two years and too many electric gremlins to remember. As you can see, though, we are firmly back in the Volvo camp. My 850 replaced a 2001 Ford Focus that died at 150,000 miles. The wife's V50 replaced a 2002 Saab 9-5 Wagon that spent more time in the shop than on the road. The son's 242GT is replacing a 1998 Mazda 626 that is falling apart at 150,000 miles.
I look forward to exchanging ideas, photos, and pleasantries on these forums.
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