Is this 740 worth it?

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Old Jun 17, 2010 | 11:42 PM
  #1  
740ftw's Avatar
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Default Is this 740 worth it?

Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying a Volvo and I'm looking for some advice. I think this is overall a pretty nice deal, but I'd like some feedback as I'm new to Volvo's.

Here's the ad on Craigslist: http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/1792764396.html

She also sent me an email with some more details:
Let's see, as with most old cars, the ceiling fabric has come loose, but I remedied that a long time ago with many push pins. This car belonged to a woman before me who used it as her "family car", but she did some silly things, like back the car up while the driver side door was open and hit something with the door. So, there's a weird mark on the corner of the driver side door where it closes. It functions perfectly, but just looks a little funny. It's only noticeable close up. There are random pieces/buttons/etc. missing from the interior. For example, the back window can only be opened from the front driver side window controls. One of the buttons for one of the back windows is completely missing, so one window in the back can't go down. But the two in the front, and one in the back operate fine. Weird little things like that. I never cared about the back window anyway, b/c 99% of the time it's just me in the car. Like I said in the posting, the A/C doesn't work anymore. Also, the radio is slowly deteriorating. It works, but lately it makes a lot of annoying crackling noises, so I just use my ipod dock instead. Either way, the speakers are really old and crappy. There are other random cracks and things on interior plastic pieces and stuff... I'll try to get you more pics. (I keep the car at my parent's place b/c they have plenty of space for me to keep the car while I wait for a buyer. I'll try to get over there soon to take more pics.) I have the picture of the dent attached to this email. Like I said, you can't open that door. At least, I haven't tried b/c I don't want to take the chance that it won't close again. You're right, for its age, this car looks pretty darn good. It's a bit loud and cranky, but it still runs. With the rear wheel drive, you can do a u-turn anywhere with this thing. And it's a station wagon! That's one of the coolest things about it. Plenty of space in the back, the back seats lay down to make even more space. It's touchy in the winter time. Cold weather starts can be difficult. I mastered starting it up in the winter, but people who weren't familiar with the car had a hard time. If you have a garage, you wouldn't have to worry about that anyway. That's all I can come up with right now. This car is almost 20 years old, so some things just can't be predicted. I had a lot of work done on it a few years ago in La Crosse at a shop where they specialized in foreign Euro cars. They said this engine would last another 100,000 easy. It's a soldier, but it's getting old.
Sorry for the lack of paragraphs, but that's how it was sent. Anyways, like I said I think it's an alright deal, she said she would take 500-600 bucks. Should I take it?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2010 | 12:37 AM
  #2  
redbottle's Avatar
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From: Orange, CA
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offer him 550 and I would say, expect to spend another 200+dollars on cosmetics and do the following to it:

oil filter
air filter
fuel filter
plugs
wires
tranny flush fill.....a must
distributor cap
thermostat.......a must
battery if old

when certain problems come along you have ruled out a bit of stuff and will have some peace of mind. the door thing might be a small head on collision that pushed the front fender back and that is why the doors hit each other. Hey you should see my rust bucket I bought no where near as good as yours.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2010 | 12:47 AM
  #3  
redbottle's Avatar
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From: Orange, CA
Default car purchase

check my car before and after

paid 400 for it and did the following

cyl head replacement and gasket.....!!!!!ouch

alternator
battery
ignition coil
wires
plugs
cap and rotor
O2 sensor
master cylinder
in tank fuel pump
fuel filter
injectors
fuel pressure regulator
cat converter
muffler
tranny fluid and filter
intake gasket
exhaust gasket
timing belt
all fluids
tail lights
head lights
turn signals
around six relays

most was new and the rest all junk yard parts.
still does not pass smog in CA....AAAAAAAAAAAahhhh
I LOVE IT THOUGH I am almost there and will be painting it pretty soon...
DID I MENTION THE GIANT HOLES ON THE ROOF?

you have to commit to a car you don't know much about.....and see if you can afford the frequent or not repairs and trouble shooting. Finish it and you will be a proud honor.......save money by doing repairs yourself.

best wishes
 
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Old Jun 18, 2010 | 06:54 AM
  #4  
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Being that I recently shopped around, I'd say 500 is max I'd pay for it and that's only if the drivetrain is in damn good condition and there's very little rust. I say that because that's essentially what you're buying, pretty well everything is going to end up needing replacement in the next 2 or 3 years. I bet the mufflers are rusted out, you're hitting that age in the car when all the relays go (from what I gather googling around when mine started going). You're gonna need to replace a lot of the wires in the ignition circuit I bet too (spark plug wires etc.). Actually, you're gonna need to replace a lot of wires period. That's just how it seems to go.
However, if you have a nice interior, a decent exterior (re:rust) and a few solid years on the drive train, 500 would be a good buy (if all of those were great, maybe 600). Like it was said above, do your own work. In fact, don't buy the car unless you actually enjoy working on cars. It'll need a fair bit of love to get right again.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2010 | 07:31 AM
  #5  
tedv's Avatar
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It is crazy to buy a car needing a lot of work for any price! In these older trashed Volvos one can sink thousands easily unless a DIY. Buyers fall for a "cheap" price but the way I see it, they are buyng a partial car-much better to pay more for a solid car than to get a project, unless you are a do-it-yourselfer and know what you are doing and don't mind going to junkyards.
 
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