Did you look at a green wagon a few weeks ago?

 

No, that's about 3 hours away (one-way). I looked at 2 others today, close-by. I kinda cringe, when I gotta start from the beginning again with repairs / christmas lights, etc. We'll see.

 

At least the second time around you have a better idea of what to look for. Fortunately when i was shopping for mine I had a freiend of mine who's a volvo expert go with me.

 

There is an awsome deal to be had in Charlotte NC right now. Some guy has one that needs either a water pump or thermostat. He said it's getting hot so he wants $1,400 for it. My guess is that he'll let it go for $1,000 and $12 might fix it. Wish I was there.

 

I agree. I just don't have time right now to travel so far. I can't even get to this guy 3 hours away. It actually takes the whole day. Snow storm did not help this past weekend.

I made a deal with this guy 1 hour away (' 95), but he can't meet me when I can at least for the next 2 days.

 

I saw this '95 850 yesterday, pulled his codes (RPM sensor), plus turned off his Service Light, LOL. Since I did that, I asked him for a better discount but he wouldn't budge. I went back today and checked mileage -- 176k on the odomoter, 231k on the computer. I did not take the laptop with me and I had gotten it wrong. 231 was a code evidently on A7.

I also saw this white '96 with 146k. This guy was looking for more money, but in worse condition. He had basically every warning light on, and almost everything else was burnt out. It even was worse than mine originally, which was a wheelbarrow. When I got back in mine, I almost "cried" how good this thing drives, even with snowies on.

I got some time only Wed morning and maybe I will go look at a couple of V70s.

 

How do you guys search? I RSS CrazedList and get instant alerts on my Blackberry when anything posts in the North-East on CL.

 

I normally look for parked cars, cl, auto tradder, but I'm not afraid to drive 2 hours to check one out. I like driving but not in the snow. Make an offer on anything you would own. Then stay in touch every 2 weeks. Make sure they can call you. I have gotten my best deals on call backs.

I normally take blue book, back out repairs and needed maintenance and act like I really want it but can't afford it because of the needed work.

 

A friend of mine sent me the link for a Audi A6 wagon. There are some differences with the Volvo 850/V70 98. Unless a gift falls from the sky, I will get a Volvo. I have to admit a big reason is the online knowledge base -- mainly at this Forum.

 

The problem with an Audi is that the cost of parts and repair is astronomical compared to the volvo. Also, I think the volvo is more reliable.

 

Much higher cost of parts and a lot less selection of places to buy parts.

Interestingly, from owners' and other reports, Audi's reliability mirrors that of Volvo's -- the reliability of C4 and C5 Platform (early nineties to late nineties) is very similar to 850. In the late 90s something happened to both automakers and reliability went on a nose-dive.

Audi's Quattro is superior to Volvo's AWD system. Volvo's turboed engines are superior to Audi's V6. Audi's owners report the same slugishness as Volvo NA owners. Audi's wagons are 200-300 lbs heavier.

Some other differences:

Audi is 7" longer (due to the longitudinal engine, vs Volvo's transverse). This is a factor for City parking. Yet, Volvo is slightly larger inside. I took a stroll last night in the neighborhood and saw plenty of both wagons around. Both seem to be very popular for New Yorkers. In fact, my next door neighbor has the same purple Volvo, his is just a V70.

Demographics are somewhat different -- Volvo Turbo wagon seem to be popular with many college kids. Listings around here also prove that. Audi's subdued A6 wagon is not as much. Of course it comes down to previous care.

94/95 Volvo's have the dual OBD1/OBD2 capability. That means that they can be inspected anywhere, while the OBD1 is great for us owners who don't like christmas lights on the dash. For example, prior to collision, I had some SRS DTCs (mainly passenger seatbelt unit). Once the problem was fixed on the seatbelt, I turned off the SRS light with the push-button. On a 96 or later, either a Volvo scanner or dealer can turn it off.

Besides a busted frame, there is little wrong with my current car, LOL.

 

Last night, I played the collision forces in my mind. Here are some schematics. I will try a different strategy:

1- Pulling has to start in the opposite sequence of collision.
2- Rather than hooks on the holes in the frame, I need to use straps that wrap around.
3- Bumper acts as a perimeter /spandrel beam. Bumper has to be removed to allow correction of the side frames.

 

Test-drove a NA. Besides the car wasn't in the best condition, it was still a big difference to my Turbo wagon. I do want the Turbo, since I usually drive full or almost-fully loaded.

 

Frame straightening "Gheto style", LOL,,,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzHjH...eature=related

 

Rspi: I saw and test-drove the green 96 Turbo Wagon this weekend. I did not buy it. Previous owner had tried to do a lot of work on it. CEL was burnt or missing. Car did not work well, it was in Limp Home mode I think. Timing belt was done on time. Dealer tried to convince me that it was just "plugs and wires", but I didn't think so. It seems that the previous owner would have done that. Hood was dented, but interior was nice, although less options than mine. IAC valve was unhooked. I hooked it up, it helped the idle, but I wasn't convinced that was the only problem.

I also test-drove a couple of other Volvos (850 and V70), 1 Audi A6 and 1 Mercedes E320, all wagons. Did not buy anything.

BTW: there is a V90 which I did not see yet. It seems nice with about 140k miles. Maybe I should have seen that too?

Unlike other cars, Volvos don't seem to be rust buckets here on the North-East. Yes, there is rust, but not too much.

I think I want to stick to with the 95 Turbo wagons. There are lot of things that I like about them.

 

For those of you following this thread-- in terms of collision measurements: the left front frame has moved towards the right about 3/4", and towards the center about 1/2".

The right-front has moved outward about 3/4", and toward the headlight about 1/4".

The break has occurred somewhere between the shock towers and the windshield.

On unibody cars, like the 850, once the skin is punctured in collisions, there will be frame damage. I learned that insurance companies would have totaled this car. But since I was carrying only liability on it, it becomes a throw-away.

I did not price up a frame-straightening job from a shop. I researched and it would have been cost prohibitive. The fenders, radiator etc, front support and a few other things would need to be removed for the straightening to take place. Either the shop does it, or I do it and tow it to the shop.

I ended up buying the V90, 143k miles, black exterior with tan leather. I will take some photos and post them here once I get it home. It has a few small issues, such as a power steering hose is leaking, needs the timing belt done, air pump ducts have disappeared. One taillight needs replacement, right-front turn signal is broken ($ 20), driver's mirror glass is missing ($ 20), and few more minor tictacs.

Once I drove it, it reminded me of the tank-like feeling of my 80s 240.

I will be selling my 850 in the next coming weeks. It's story has not ended.

 

Just a little off-topic, when I went shopping for a Volvo wagon, (I ended-up buying a black '97 NA 850 with tons of sertvice records and 127K), I looked-up a '95 NA glt wagon in this purple (Amethyst) Volvo color. When I went back to buy it 2 days later, it was already gone. I haven't seen another one around in this color, not even in the local "U-pull it" . Is this a rare color, similar to the yellow 850R's?

 

Henry, as soon as you made a comment about the V90 wagon, I thought, man, I would like to have that. Then, you got it, awsome. That is a good cross between the turbo and solid platform.

I was at our Volvo junk yard a couple of weeks ago and measured the opening of the V90, 850 wagon and V70 and the V90 is a lot bigger. I think I want one. They have decent power and are great for hauling stuff. I guess if I could afford it, I would have 4 cars. I have 2 now and only driving 1. I really don't need a wagon but would like to have one. I also like the sleeper effect of a fast wagon, that's why I am wanting a fast one. Glad you found something you like.

 

Congrats on buying the 97 850. By the way, that car is not a NA. It has a low-pressure turbo.

In terms of purple. I have not seen yet another purple 850 wagon, except a V70 (my neighbor). Once I have seen a purple 850 sedan. However I don't think it would be as desirable as the yellow R.

 

It was actually a funny story - the car was laying around at the dealer's lot in Massachusetts for weeks. Another guy from New York came about 20 minutes after me and was screaming at the salesman why he lost out. The V90 has the 3rd seat fold-away, which is nice I think.

Since I figured I will only get $ 800 for the 850, I wanted to pay no more. I did get the V90 for $ 800. It might have cost you more to travel than to buy it, LOL.