Hello everyone,

I have a bit of a dilemma. I am a current Volvo owner, but I am seriously torn between two courses of action. I own a 1986 240GL wagon with 250ish miles on it (odometer broke about a month back so not sure). I like it a lot and it always starts up. However... It also has a lot of quirks: The rear seatbelts are stuck, the dash has some electrical issues, there is a leak in the power steering, oil leaks here and there, a part missing here and there, the timing aounds off and there is some valve clap, but otherwise a tank. The killer issue right now is that I moved to California and it will not smog. In Washington, it wasn't required.

So, now it is time to decide to reinvest or go with a newer Volvo. I have seen some volvos in the area with ~150k for under $3k and I am sorely tempted. All of those issues I mentioned would be gone, people could sit in my back seat, and I might even end up with AC. Complicating the issue is that when I asked my mother to take the car in for an oil change (time was tight and I needed the help) she decided to be helpful and did some repairs at the same time. The thought was nice, but... Now I have to consider those as well in the calculation. Currently, there is a 1998 v70 xc with $130 for $3k in the area and I am very tempted.

Recommendations? I am really torn!

I

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If you don't turn your own wrenches, stay away from the early FWD Volvos.