Need some help Oppo

"Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom" (jeremyhampson)
03/25/2014 at 10:08 • Filed to: None

So, I've decided I'm going to get rid of my Honda Accord, besides the obvious annoying problems I'm running into things like my seatbelts being broken and not being able to find replacements ANYWHERE, since those belts were only made for my model, for that one year, so that mixed with other problems just doesn't make an 800 dollar beater worth it. So onto craigslist!

So, I have decided on getting a newer car that I won't have to sink as much time and money into, and seeing as how I'm pretty partial to Volvo's, I found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Yes, it is not a manual, but that isn't that big of a deal honestly, I would only use it as my daily commuter (70 miles daily), and as a plus side, my wife would be able to drive it, for whatever reason (like if her car is in the shop and she needs to use mine), because she can't drive stick.

Main reason I don't want an older car that would be cheaper, is because I am already trying to rebuild my 944. It honestly is the only reason why I am getting rid of the Accord, because I already have 1 project, I do not need 2. Which is why I don't want to part it out either, I don't want 2 cars just sitting in my backyard. So, what say you Oppo, does this Volvo look like a clean deal? Or should I keep looking, and if I do, what should I get? I'm open to all options, but preferably, as a commuter/beater, I would like something that has cheaper parts. And 4 doors isn't necessarily a must but it's something I would like. Doesn't have to be an automatic, but is a definite plus (read, wife situation)

DISCUSSION (33)

MylesD > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:17

I'm not aware of market price on these so much, but it seems like it could be a decent deal. You already know that money might be better spent on something other than a Volvo, so I assume style and taste takes the cake (Pun!).

I would also pick a Volvo over a Honda or something similar. Go drive that sucker and see what you think!

offroadkarter > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:18

If you're gonna get a S60, try to find a T5 if you're not going to go for the R.

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:18

As a 2001 S80 driver, I think of myself as the world's expert on these cars. They are fantastic, especially commuting. I think 2003 is after the bad transmission years, but double check that.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > MylesD
03/25/2014 at 10:20

Kbb has this car at around 5k, and motortrend has it in that condition for private party around a good 6k, so it looks like it is decently priced, won't stop me from asking for 4k though haha.

And yeah, there are other cars out there, but I have always been a sucker for the S60 styling, if this snow storm lets up I'm going to go check it out today, but to be honest I haven't really dealt with Volvo's since I've been in high school, what should I expect if I purchase one?

midengineer > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:20

Teach her how to drive stick. Sell Accord. Spend extra money on quickly making the greatest 944 in the world. Enjoy.

aebome > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:22

Doesn't look like a bad deal, but what about an Acura TL with 67k miles?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/439109…

Party-vi > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:22

You're tired of sinking time and money into your car, so you're giving up your Honda and buying a decade-old Swedish luxury car? Assuming you only drive 70 miles a day for work, that's 350 miles a week. With 26mpg that's about $50 a week in gas, or $2,600 a year. Plus, with the mileage you're putting on it the Volvo will need the 97,500 mile service shortly, and in a year you'll need the 105,000 mile service, which is a new timing belt and accessory drive belt. I'm sure it would be a nicer car to drive, but I'm not sure if you're going to save any money buying a used luxury car nearing 100,000 miles.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Party-vi
03/25/2014 at 10:31

I don't really mind putting money into a car, as long as I'm putting the parts into it myself, I rather enjoy it. The biggest thing about my Honda is the fact that a lot of the parts that I absolutely need, I cannot find anymore, specifically the seat belts, I mean I spent 800 dollars on the vehicle, and just to get it to pass inspection will be another 500 dollars in parts alone, and I don't have the time to put everything in myself, so a lot of that will have to be done at a shop. I mean I'm looking at around 1000 dollars just to get it to pass inspection, I need a new exhaust system, an entire front suspension, both front seat belts, (which would have to be custom order, so 200 a pop), and I also have to track down and get rid of my CEL, has to do with my EGR, but seeing as how rock auto doesn't carry them for my model anymore, if I were to get a new one it would be 230 off of ebay. I mean I bought the car at 204k miles, it's nearing 210k now, I've got my money's worth out of it, and to me it just doesn't seem worth it anymore, it was very poorly maintained before I bought it, and I've done enough to keep it running somewhat safely, but it would be better off with someone else who actual wants to fix it up. I'm not entirely sold on the Volvo, just something that caught my eye, but I have the means to get a newer, less run into the ground car, so I want to do that.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > aebome
03/25/2014 at 10:33

Hmm, not too bad at all. I'm keeping my limit at a hard 5k, but if they would lower it to that then I might just do that. Thanks man

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > midengineer
03/25/2014 at 10:34

She refuses to learn! I even told her if she would learn to drive stick, later on down the road I would buy her a BRZ, and she said no!

Party-vi > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:35

Jeeeez. Had no idea it was that bad. I'm just making sure you're aware of the sticker shock that comes with maintenance on a car like the S60. Doing the work yourself is a great way to save money, but if this is your daily driver you might need to put it in the shop sometimes, and that's where it gets expensive. Good luck finding a nice commuter!

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/25/2014 at 10:35

I've been reading up on them, and I'm seeing a lot of the transmission problems, but all those problems seem to just affect the AWD 2.5T models, this one is the FWD 2.4T model, don't really see anything on that is too detrimental about them. What would you spend on this very car, sight unseen save for these pictures?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > offroadkarter
03/25/2014 at 10:36

T5?

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:38

I might spend $4500 if the timing belt has been done, but I doubt it has been.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Party-vi
03/25/2014 at 10:39

Yeah, it actually makes me pretty sad because I love the little car, it just refuses to die, but it is just time to move on.

Yeah, I've been reading and saw that repairs can get pretty expensive, I would do most of the work myself save for things like a timing belt (just don't trust my skill level enough), but, luckily since I've been doing all of the work on my 944 myself, I have pretty much any tool I would need in order to work on this Volvo. But, if this thing doesn't check out you can bet I'm going to just walk, I don't want it that bad. Appreciate it brother.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/25/2014 at 10:40

So, if the timing belt hasn't been done, what, 3800? And how much would one of those run?

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:43

I don't know how much a it is to replace a belt in DC, bit your number sounds about right

offroadkarter > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:43

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_S60

T5 is the mid level trim with more power over the 2.4T

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/25/2014 at 10:48

Just looked it up on repairpal, on the high end of the spectrum a timing belt replacement runs about 600 bucks. That doesn't seem that expensive for a European car, that sound about right?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 10:53

why don't you deal with the Accord for a short time longer and bust out the 944. Teach your wife to drive stick. I'm in the process of teaching my wife with my WRX. The process not as bad as you would think. I would imagine you would save some money this way, even if you dont finish all the work yourself. Then you can have a $ reserve to get something a little nicer/bigger for your wife when it comes to that time that can be the people mover.

liquid_popcorn > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 11:02

Do you have a link to the ad for the Volvo?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/25/2014 at 11:07

She refuses to learn stick, trust me I've been trying ever since I bought the 944.

The wife already has a vehicle, a Chrysler 300, so she is good for the car, it's just starting to near some major servicing intervals (it's at 66k), so worst come to worst she could drive whatever I get. And the main reason I have had to put the 944 on the back burner is because on average I'm spending probably 300 dollars a month on my Honda just keeping it running, the big reason why I just want to get rid of it now is because the seat belts are broken and my safety inspection is up at the end of April, just don't want to deal with it anymore. To get it to pass inspection will cost me at least another 1000.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > liquid_popcorn
03/25/2014 at 11:07

Here you go

liquid_popcorn > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 11:18

Looks okay for the most part, but KBB says between 4,000-4,500 for this car in Good to Excellent condition, so a little high.

I'd be sure to get the VIN and get a Carfax on it, but from what little personal experience I have with these they're decent. A friend has an S60 of similar vintage, and he's pushing 140k miles with no major issues. Another has an S80, modified, currently close to 80k miles with no major issues except constantly being messed with.

Out of curiosity, why Volvos?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/25/2014 at 11:22

So, looking on craigslist, I saw an S80, what do you think?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > liquid_popcorn
03/25/2014 at 11:22

Not too bad. How expensive were things like the timing belt and all of that?

I've always liked Volvo's and always wanted to have one

liquid_popcorn > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 11:29

Not sure; I'll see if I can find out though.

I like them as well, but I'm more into older ones...I own an 83 244DL with the front end from a 75(?) or so. I also desperately want an old 122S or 142.

zmf2112 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 11:47

I have a 2002 S60 AWD. Except for the auto, I love it. It's been my DD for the past 9 years. It only let me down once when the engine freaked out, but I was able to limp home. New software from the dealer fixed it. It's been dealer maintained until last year when I decided to do at least the basics myself (oil, brakes). Some of those dealer services were brutal, in the $1-3k range.

Just about any Volvo with under 100k miles is basically brand new. I'm almost at 160k now. The only problem is with the computer readout on the dash - 80% of the time it's garbage or blank. I don't really care and it's pretty expensive to fix.

Depending on their service records, I'd talk them down as much as you can and just get it. Under $4k around here (Boston) for a newish Volvo is for one that's been clearly beaten.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > liquid_popcorn
03/25/2014 at 11:52

Nice, my dad had an old 240DL when I was in high school. I would love to have a mid 80's Volvo, but I just don't have the space for a fixer upper, hence why I'm going after a newer one.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > zmf2112
03/25/2014 at 12:09

Hmm, alright. You haven't had any major problems with your transmission? Everything I've read up about the tranny problems it seemed mainly happened with the AWD models.

I think I'll try to offer him 4k, which of course he will refuse, and then I'll offer him 4500, if he still wants more I'll just walk. I'm not too sure if he has service records but if the snow storm going on right now lets up I'm going to go see it today.

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 12:16

That's the one I would get. At 110,000 miles the belt has likely been done.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/25/2014 at 12:40

I texted him as soon as I saw it, first I asked him why hes selling, all he said was "private reason", so I asked if hes had the timing belt done and he said no. At least he was honest, but I'm not even going to touch that one.

liquid_popcorn > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/25/2014 at 13:57

Makes sense. Mine runs well, but I'm slowly upgrading/replacing tired parts, in preparation for a possible turbo build this coming fall. We'll see how that goes.