A tale of caution…

About me... I have always been a Volvo 240 fan. Starting in the early 80s until about 2010, I had six 240s, five wagons and one sedan.
After a health crisis and the resulting disabling health issues I had to hang up my keys and went eight years without being able to drive. As someone who has always loved driving and cars, being able to Hop in my car and travel…those were eight tortuous years.
Amazingly, I now have the ability to drive again(!!!)...and although some might think that I'm crazy, I only want another 240.

So, I begin the search for another 240 a couple of months ago…

I live in Central New York State, and after being disappointed by rusted out Volvo 240s from the Northeast I began to search for a good rust free 240 in the Southwest. I spent several months searching and finally found what I thought was a good car. Owned by a mechanic, almost rust free, some paint fade and plastic deterioration inside, $2000 of recent work, new tires, recent tune up, oil and filter change, suspension work, etc, etc. I was quite nervous about buying a car so far away so I asked a lot of questions and asked for a lot of photos, etc. He, as a mechanic, assured me that it had been well cared for and was in very good condition. Finally, after numerous phone calls/emails/text/photos exchanged, I made the decision to buy the car. And then flew from New York state to Arizona, to pick it up. I went to pick up the car, but the owner was suddenly out of town on business and had left me the keys and title …and upon seeing the car I realized that the condition was not quite as good as he had led me to believe. I started to become a little bit nervous, being that it was obvious that he had not been 100% honest with me. But, most of the immediate things that struck me seem to be aesthetic, I knew that I could replace the chipped and broken plastic components, replace trim pieces and have the seats recovered. All carpeted surfaces had been absolutely fried by the sun and rained a fine dust of carpet fibers whenever touched… so I added replacing all carpeted surfaces to the list of things that needed to be done.

I was well aware of the fact that driving this car from Arizona to New York would undoubtedly mean a few repairs long way, and was prepared for it. I immediately took the car to be detailed inside and out, had all oil, fluids and filters changed, and made arrangements to bring the car to be given a thorough once over by friend's mechanic, who lived about 50 miles away. What I was not prepared for was that after going only 12 miles the car began to lose power on the highway. Several times. I immediately called and took it to a local Volvo mechanic, who diagnosed it as the in-tank fuel pump having died. $$ He ordered the part, and while we waited for it to come in I decided to take the car to a nearby exhaust shop because there was a slight exhaust smell. Catalytic converter. $$$. On the way to back to get the fuel pump installed, suddenly all of the windows stopped functioning, the lights on the dash all lit up and several other things stopped functioning. Then, the car again began to lose power then died and would not start. It had to be towed back to the shop . $ It was found that many of the wires had been chewed away by rodents. It would need almost all wiring replaced/a new wiring harness. $$. Exasperated, I asked Volvo mechanic that I had taken it to, for his honest opinion of the car...he told me to get my "money back and run".

At this point, less than 24 hours after picking up the car and with a mounting list of critically needed repairs and expenses, I waved the white flag. It was now crystal clear that this car could not even make it out of the city where I bought it, let alone a long meandering road trip back home. Had I been home, I might have been comfortable and getting the repairs done, but being in a strange city, and with the challenge of having to drive this car long distance…I knew that the car at that time was not roadworthy, let alone road trip worthy. I called the former owner and told him all that has been going on, and that I was returning the car to him. He, in spite of being a mechanic and assuring me that the car was an absolutely top condition, had clearly not been honest. He was not happy, but said that he would refund my money and the following day. So I stayed an extra night in the city. Next day, he suddenly said that he had to again go out of town and would not be able to meet me. The saga went on from there… I ended up staying several more days without ever being able to see him directly, nor get my money back. I did however keep the title, and told him that I would immediately mail it to him when he repaid me. I eventually had to fly home. Without a car. And with a much thinner wallet.

I have yet to get my money back.

Was a lesson learned? Seems obvious but, though you want to trust people, it's not wise to buy a car sight unseen. Many people do it on eBay or through other venues, but mine is obviously a cautionary tale. While there may be a benefit to buying a car that is far away...such as being able to find a rust free older car in the south west…a great deal of caution must be taken. Because obviously it also comes with increased risk. It certainly did not work out well for me.


But, i need a car....and being that I'm a little bit of a Volvo 240 addict(!!), I have already begun to search for another 240. This time closer to home and with a MUCH smaller budget. And with much more caution.

I'll let you know what I find!