collwen: (Default)
Mildred Cady ([personal profile] collwen) wrote2007-11-12 12:08 pm
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Buying a car tonight

Soon after the announcement that Fido is dead, [livejournal.com profile] curlyeric contacted me. A friend of his had just moved to San Francisco and was selling his car. I look a look at it and I'm buying it tonight (with help from [livejournal.com profile] marnen.

It's a blue 1992 Volvo 740 4-door Wagon w/ 4-Cyl. 2.3 Liter engine and 176,000 miles. By the owner's records, it gets an average of 23 – 25 mpg (which is much better milage than Fido got).

Recent work, as stated by the seller- last year 2 new snow tires. New CD player/radio, IPOD connection in glove box (IPOD not included) installed this summer. Radiator flushed 7-07, Transmission Service 11-06, and New Air-Conditioning System Installed 6-06.

The car has: power windows w/ child safety locks, power door locks w/central locking, ABS braking, driver's air bag, cruise control, roof rack, and heated front seats (Bun Warmers).

Gallery of pics of the car I'm buying tonight

I'm looking forward to getting the car. All the doors and windows open and close and the heat/ac works. Which for anyone who has ridden in Fido in the past few years will know is a major improvement. And the heated seats is a definite bonus- considering I don't have lava for blood like some of my friends do.

[identity profile] tomatoe333.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Volvo good.

Make sure that timing belt has been serviced fairly recently on it. If not, count on replacing it when you get the car. It's not a difficult job, and in general, service on that engine is easy. 23-25 is about right for commuting-style driving for that car. You might be able to get 30 out of it on the highway, if you take it easy.

The butt toasters may be flaky, given the age of the car, but it's a luxury feature. And if you know anyone who does upholstery, the seats are pretty simple to de-upholster and repair.

With 175k on it, the car has plenty of good miles left. Just remember to keep up on the oil changes and scheduled maintenance. Oil changes on that car are dead simple, and I can help you out w/ it. [livejournal.com profile] ioldanach also has experience with Volvos, and can help you out as well. :-)

[identity profile] purpura.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I was justr about to respond with a "Jeff must be so proud of you!" And other such notes about asking him for Volvo tips, but Tomatoe here beat me to it!

[identity profile] collwen.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Well, not having heard from him yet, I don't know if he's proud yet. ;)

[identity profile] collwen.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the advise- I was planning on pinging Jeff since I know that he owned one.

I'm planning on having an oil change and check over by the end of the week, and I'll make sure to ask about the timing belt.

[identity profile] tomatoe333.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
BTW, if you need a spare set of steel wheels and hubcaps, I have a set in my garage. The wheels are a bit rusty, but functional, and the hubcaps match the ones on the car in the picture. You'll need to dispose of the very dead snow tires on them, but I wouldn't charge for them. They're just taking up space, and I've been meaning to freecycle them anyway.

[identity profile] auntiero.livejournal.com 2007-11-12 06:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome to the joyous world of Volvo ownership!

[identity profile] collwen.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
Thank ye- it's my first one. :)

Previous Cars, in order of ownership
1972 Plymouth Valiant (gold)
1983 Dodge Ram Pickup (grey, red, with cap)
1976 Volkswagen Rabbit (light blue)
1993 Pontiac Grand Prix (maroon/red) [aka Fido]
now 1992 Volvo 740 (dark blue)

[identity profile] rstormcrow.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Just remember, VOLVO stands for "Vehicle Overturns Leaving Victims Outside" which is what they made them like tanks.

I love craigslist.. found a 1993 Subaru with 64k on the odo for $700.00
two weeks back.

[identity profile] collwen.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
I've not heard that one. I have heard of FORD- Found On Road Dead or Found On Russian Depot.

[identity profile] naturespirit.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
I saw your boy today at Prof. Java's, but I don't think he saw me.

[identity profile] collwen.livejournal.com 2007-11-13 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
I'd say he didn't, since he didn't mention it to me. He's also a bit occupied with getting ready to leave for Japan (the flight is on Wednesday).