I Need Some SERIOUS Advice On The 740 Turbo Wagon

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
06/18/2014 at 22:50 • Filed to: advice, volvo, npocp, wagon

This is the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that has been my obsession for the past week or so. I've driven it. I've talked to parents about letting me buy it. I got insurance quotes, decided on a custom license plate, etc... but I need some advice here.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

My dad is not really in favor of me getting a second car. And as I was talking to him today trying to convince him to let me have it, he brought up a good point.

Now, I'm 16. I bag groceries part time and am also a high school student (just on Summer break now). I DD a leased 2013 Honda Civic which I share with my grandma. I spend $150 a month on the Civic, another $100 for insurance, and all gas and maintenance. I also pay $40 a month for my cell phone, and buy my dinners on the majority of nights I work (so another approx $35 a week on food). I've been saving the leftovers of my earnings into a checking account. Its my personal account and I use it to buy what I want. I don't buy very much, so there's a decent amount of money saved up. I've been wanting to take this money and get a second car. Something cooler and more me.

So, about the Volvo. It drives great. Only 130,000 miles, no accidents, and been down South its whole life (no rust anywhere on it). Interior was all original and looked solid minus the rear seats missing headrests, some small tears in the front seat, and a headliner that is just starting to become slightly saggy. All electric things worked, including all windows and locks. Body had no dents or major scratches. Tires were recently replaced. He installed a new water pump, timing belt, air filter, battery, and radiator. He's had the car for about 4 years and it was his daily driver. He genuinely loved the car and cared for it. he has a huge folder with every maintenance record on the car since new. The issues: the sunroof currently leaks. He has it taped shut. However, the glass still moved perfectly and had no problem opening and closing. I think it either needs new seals or just the drain spouts cleaned out. Also, there is no air conditioning. He had it working for about a week, but then it died on him. Currently the belt for it is no longer on (can't remember why). So, it may be a $50 fix, may be a $500 fix, may be a $2500 fix. I don't know. He is selling because his wife is pregnant and wanted something safer.... he ended up buying a new Town and Country minivan (I too was hurt by this choice). He already has the minivan and registered it using the Volvo's tags, so basically its just a car sitting in his driveway. Talking to him, he'd take $1000, maybe even a bit less now if I tried.

And here's the issue. I can now barely afford the car. Put simply, buying this would nearly wipe me out. But, I am still working and get paid weekly. So I'm still making money, but buying would nearly make me broke.

On one hand, I don't like this idea. I don't like nearly losing my safety cushion of funds that I have. It also needs work. So the money I will be making will be going back into it. I plan on getting a new stereo installed, fixing the AC, eventually getting the headliner done, and way down the road, I want to do an "R" conversion by swapping interior bits from an 850R or V70R and dropping it a little bit. Again, costing me money which I dont have yet.

On the other, the money is doing nothing anyway. Also, I told myself that is what the money is going to be used for. Its also a very rare car, one that I don't ever see show up. The price is right. The color is right. The body style is right. Also, I feel that this car will appreciate soon and if I need to sell, I could nearly make all my money back if not profit off of it.

Its not going to be a DD. It would be going to car and coffee and driven every once in a while when the weather is nice or I need to haul something or feel like driving something cool. It will also be used as a DD for two week stints every three months when grandma is here. Other then that, it'll sit in our yard....

(Kind of my TL;DR) So the simple question here is should I get the car? I can afford it, but it will nearly make me broke. But I still work and make money, so I don't know.

I still want it a lot. I love the idea of this car. I just don't know if I love the idea of owning it. Help me!

DISCUSSION (34)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 22:52

Ditch the civic. If not I can't respect you anymore.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/18/2014 at 22:53

I wish it was that easy. Is it bad I've thought of doing a "lease takeover" thing on CL to get rid of it?

Ive thought so far into it that I have a copy of the "ad" saved in a word document....

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 22:54

Give it all to grandma.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 22:56

I don;t see the need to be car poor. But I'm 40. When I was younger, I was car poor.

Ferrero1911 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 22:57

If you did not have the Civic you would be able to afford the Volvo and be able to fix it up. Getting a new car (and a lease no less) is where you went wrong here. On the other hand I'm sure your grandmother won't like the Volvo as much. Maybe you can convince her to take over the lease?

Flavien Vidal > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 22:59

Don't do it... useless really... Useless you can stop that (sorry to say) kind of stupid lease for a first car, there are absolutly no reason you buy it. My question being, why the hell did you get a shared lease with your grand ma instead of buying a cheap 1000$ Volvo liek every other 16 yo?

So keep on saving your money... The 740 Turbos can be quite a mess unless you know your way around an engine and a car in general... Not a good choice for someone young with no mechanical experience...

You are young too. Once you will have bought the 740, what else will you be looking for? it's a never ending loop that only richer jalop can afford... Believe me I've been through it (still sort of go through it right now with the vette and whatever I will get once in japan to replace it lol).

So yep, 2013 Civics suck... Deal with it for now. Now you know that leases are terrible unless you REALLY can afford them. Next time, when the lease is done, save a couple thousands and get a fun car instead.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Ferrero1911
06/18/2014 at 23:03

Honestly having grandma involved here is what really fucked things up. If she wasnt in the picture, I would be driving a 1991 Volvo that was available down the road from me for $1500. But she said it was too slow.

Heres the thing, she lives in NJ. im in Fl. she comes to visit every 3 months, she got tired of paying rental prices so we decided to lease and share the car. I pay the $150, she pays the other $50 a month. Up in NJ, she has a new Hyundai Genesis so no need for the Civic.

dad was also against the idea of me driving an older car. IIts why I have the Civic. It wasnt what I wanted at all. But I had no choice.

Its why I want the Volvo. I want something thats just mine. Something I dont share with anyone. Something I can make my own...

mcseanerson > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:06

You've come to the wrong place to get talked out of this. I bought a 740 turbo wagon when my wife got pregnant with our first kid. If the body is straight there is not a lot else to worry that much about. Everything else is reliable, easy to work on, and parts are cheap.

http://www.turbobricks.com/ is an incredibly valuable resource, probably the most knowledgeable enthusiast community I've ever seen. Also if all the basics are in good working order, referred to as stage zero on turbobricks, you can crank up the boost with like $20 worth of hardware from home depot.

Lastly when you start your adult life and need your own car a Volvo wagon will be a reliable companion.

Ferrero1911 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:07

It sucks that your dad was against you driving a cheap older car, but isn't helping you pay for the expensive lease and insurance on a car that you will spend a bunch of money on and then not even get to take to college because the lease will be up (money gone, and no car!). If everyone wanted a say in what car I spent my money on at 16 I would be just fine with getting rides from friends thank you very much.

PushToStart > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:08

This might not be a popular opinion on Oppo, but this is my view: the car is cool, yeah, but saving that money that you'd spend on it now (the car itself, repairs, registration, etc) is the best choice. You're still young, and if you plan on going to college, you'll need that money. You've got a good, reliable car basically at your disposal, no point in spending money on a car that you won't really be able to enjoy much. Wait until you can really afford another car, and you'll enjoy it much more.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > mcseanerson
06/18/2014 at 23:10

I know thats what is killing me! Car was in no accidents and looked great. Ive heard they arent even that bad to maintain and this seller has done the big stuff (timing belt and water pump...)

Irs also kinda rare. And for $1000, these NEVER show up. Ive never seen another 740 wagon in my area. And I look at Volvos EVERY day.

And maybe when Im 18 and the lease is over, i may have a perfect fully fixed up car. One that will be good to move me around until the lease it up.

But, I can't really afford to give it all the love it needs. Itll be sitting a lot and not used like it could be...

EL_ULY > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:15

wow, the car sounds solid. Compressors are not cheap from OEM but the afternaket parts on these are good and a value. Sounds like a solid car. We have 5 740 turbo's here at my Volvo dealer as runner cars. They are legend.

I say DO IT!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Flavien Vidal
06/18/2014 at 23:19

Its a really dumb reason why I got stuck in lease hell as I call it...

I had saved up about $3500 of my own money to get my own first car. Something cool and young and dumb like a 300ZX or Camaro or something else young and cheap.

Granny lives in NJ. Every three months she comes to visit us. She stays for over two weeks so she rents a car. She got tired of renting since it cost so much. So she came up with the "brilliant" idea of us sharing a new car. Sadly, my parents agreed. They didnt want me getting something "old and dumb and prone to breaking down" so I had to get a lease. And granny had dumb requirements, had to have 4 doors, no American cars, had to be dirt cheap to lease with little money down, had to be reliable, so really a Civic on a $200 a month lease with $1000 was all that showed up. She wouldnt drive stick.

When i showed her the volvo before the lease, she told me it was too slow. So i couldnt have it. She refused to drive anything used. I got stuck in this.

So I hate having a new leased car. Its not what I want at all.

Thats the simple reason. And its why i want something to call my own

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Ferrero1911
06/18/2014 at 23:20

it really sucks honest. He made me get something new and expensive but is making me pay for everything myself... its why I want the Volvo. It would be all mine.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > PushToStart
06/18/2014 at 23:28

And thats my fear. This car will eat my earnings. because I want to do so much to it. I picture my birthday and christmas wish lists now: working AC, new stereo, interior bits, car parts, etc....

The money isnt doing anything otherwise though. the car is solid and worth more than that. But I do need the money still...

Its really not easy to choose what to do. I dont want to see it go to waste...

$1000 for this isnt that much. But I couldnt give it all the love it needs. But I want to

mcseanerson > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:33

Car wise it's a solid deal. Money wise that's up to you. Nobody else can tell you what your money is worth.

PushToStart > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:48

The money isn't doing anything now, but you might need it later. And if you need to unload the Volvo, there's a possibility you won't make back all that you put into it.

If you're confident though, I'd say do it. Just make sure you're REALLY sure and won't regret it. The things I've brought up are just points to consider.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:51

I would wait. Personally, I think the money could be better spent on stuff like college. Get through college, and you'll have the rest of your life, and hopefully sufficient funds, for a second project car. Why blow all of it now? I gotta say, I feel for you. I got really, really lucky with my first car, and as a fellow 16 y/o Jalop, I get that running around in a Civic, while extremely practical, is no fun. But my advice not to buy it. It sounds like you're stretched thin enough as it is. Two years ago, I saw a 1972 Mercedes 250C sitting by the side of the road. It was in good shape, and the guy wanted like $2000. I had no other expenses, a little bit of income, and I could just barely cover the price with cash in my savings account. But that didn't take into account any other costs of running and owning that car. I ended up passing on it, despite getting the green light from my parents. Do I look back and wish I had bought that thing? Absolutely, it was an awesome car. Do I realize that I made the right, smart choice in not buying it? Yes.

If you do get the car, however, you must get plates that say "CNDRBLK" because it looks like (and is built like) a rolling cinder block.

Hope this helps. Your situation is different from mine, but I know the feeling of wanting to impulse buy an old car that you can just pay the sticker price on.

Hunterg > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/18/2014 at 23:56

I did the same thing... Given a perfectly good Mazda 6, not allowed to really mod it in any way. Also work bagging groceries and spend all my money (and barrowed some from my dad) to buy an e30 BMW and haven't regretted it one bit. Nothing like having something to call your own.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/19/2014 at 00:00

And thats the huge issue I have here. Honestly it isnt even about the Civic being boring. Its the fact that isnt mine. Its the banks. Its a really shitty feeling knowing that in about 2.5 years, all the money ive put into it are for nothing. its a shitty feeling knowing that the car isnt mine. it sucks that i cant do anything I want to my car. it sucks Im limited on mileage. Its practical and safe and that, but it isnt mine.

There is a sense of pride and joy when you take your money you made and put it into something. A great feeling happens when the money you've made by working your ass off gets put to a really cool use.

I want a car to call my own. i want something that is mine and always will be mine. And I can cover the price. And am still making money. I have a whole Excel budget sheet made where I compare different situations. If I get this car, and change not much at all, Im still making money at the end of each month. its not a lot, but it is something.

So far, as long as I mess nothing up, Ive got enough scholarships lined up to get into the school I want without spending any money. I know that its gonna be $65 a month to insure. I know I will need gas money, and another $75 for registration, and another $60 for taxes, and $15 a month for my custom plate (I'd be getting JQJ 213 since its like my username for everything). BTW, CNDRBLK is AMAZING and may have to go on the EU style front vanity plate I would be ordering, that or TRBOBRCK.

Looking at it, I would be stretched thin here. it would not be easy to do. but I could. And its for an awesome car that i really want. I still am not sure.... ugghh its so hard to decide what to do here

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > PushToStart
06/19/2014 at 00:01

My fear is buyers remorse. The fact that I will tire of it and try to sell it and not be able to. But I feel that if I only pay $1000, itd be hard not to if I list it in the right places....

But still I 100% agree with what your saying

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Hunterg
06/19/2014 at 00:05

Like I was telling SM70:

Honestly it isnt even about the Civic being boring. Its the fact that isnt mine. Its the banks. Its a really shitty feeling knowing that in about 2.5 years, all the money ive put into it are for nothing. its a shitty feeling knowing that the car isnt mine. it sucks that i cant do anything I want to my car. it sucks Im limited on mileage. Its practical and safe and that, but it isnt mine.

I want a car to call my own. i want something that is mine and always will be mine. And I can cover the price. And am still making money.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 00:13

One of my bigger automotive regrets, even greater than selling the RX-7, is selling my 740 Turbo wagon. I sold her to a good friend, who has taken wonderful care of her, but I still wish I hadn't done so, at least not for the S60 I bought as a replacement.

Do it. Do it now. (Then, bigger turbo.)

Here's the TB build thread from that one. http://turbobricks.com/forums/showthr…

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 00:13

I can promise you this: there are, and always will be, other cars out there for you to find. But if you feel like you can buy this car without putting yourself or your familyat serious financial risk, I suppose it would be okay for you to try. If nothing else, flip it. That's a low price, IMHO. Get it for under a grand and you could be golden.

Hunterg > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 00:14

I say from one teenaged kid to another to go for it. I always go into buying a car thinking completely about resale value and how much money and time will I have to put in to make it worth my time, or in the best of situations, be able to make money without having to do any work. Ultimately at our young age I don't see it smart to have more than one vehicle through college, but in your case after your lease runs up it could be your daily driver.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/19/2014 at 00:24

Thats the big thing that I keep telling my dad is im not involving the family in this financially at all. I dont want them to be involved or putting money into it. It would be all my own choice.

I know that I could get this, fix the sunroof on day one, keep for a month or two, and resell for profit if I had to.

I bet he'd sell for $900. I have great leverage on it, mainly the fact he already has another car and this need some work.

I need to learn, and this is a way to do so involving finances

Dsscats > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 00:26

I say buy it. Here's why.

1. You can probably get him down to $850 or $900 for a running car in pretty good condition

2. You can throw all your shit in it when needed and have a decent time driving but still have a practical DD.

3. You can work on it on the weekends for the 2.5 years until your Civic lease is up and then DD the Volvo, eliminating a huge cost in your life. You probably won't find a deal like this at that time and this way you have time to fix everything to your liking

4. It's a great car to learn to work on cars on

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dsscats
06/19/2014 at 00:30

Thats really what I've been thinking of (if you read other comments you'll see)

i have a feeling he'd take $900 since I have huge leverage on him (hell, he already has his next car sitting in his driveway. This is just an unregistered brick (pun intended) taking up space. It also needs some work so I point out flaws. Cash is also king.

It will be great when we need to haul the dogs around (thinking about selling family SUV (Honda Pilot) and downsizing to something like a Fit for gas savings) and any furniture or the like.

I am still working. i know by they end of 2.5 years i could make this car perfect. Exactly what i want. And could DD it when Chloe's lease it up and she is out of my life.

This is the first 740 Wagon EVER to show up on my area CL from the two years I spent looking. A 740 turbo is even cooler. One that is so clean and no accidents or rust and only 130,000 miles is amazing. The price is right for this, even if I had to sell it down the road.

Textured Soy Protein > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 01:32

I have 2 cars, and I can confidently say:

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? DON'T FUCKING BUY THAT SHIT.

You're 16, in high school, living with your parents, and really the only reason you're able to save up a little piece of the money you make bagging groceries is because you live with your parents so don't have to pay for much of anything.

I have 2 cars because I have the money to pay for them even after putting money into my retirement fund, making shorter term investments, throwing money in my savings account, and paying for all the other things that grown ass people who don't live with mommy and daddy have to pay for.

All you should be worried about right now is going to parties, fucking high school girls, smoking pot, and doing these things while kicking ass in school. Go to college, or tech school, or community college, or culinary school, or whatever the fuck is going to prepare you for a job you enjoy and pays enough to afford the cars you want down the road.

Keep saving your money. Because unless mommy and daddy are going to give you a nice phatty allowance while you're in college, you're going to find out just how quickly living on your own can get expensive real quick.

A 740 turbo wagon is not rare enough that you won't be able to find one in a couple years when your lease is up, if you still want one then. It's also not rare enough that it's going to appreciate. While Jalopnik has a fondness for old Volvo wagons, the reality is that there's not a huge market for 24 year old Volvo wagons. You're not missing out on some golden opportunity by doing the responsible thing and sticking with your Civic.

sebdel > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 02:17

Being from a small southamerican country I have to say there's no cars for that kind of money here and usually you're close to being 30 when you can begin to think in buying a car at all. The oportunity to buy a car with your own money at age 16 is amazing to me and I can't see why not. On the other hand, my dad had a 740 wagon, 740 tubo sedan and 960 and I have to say they where expensive to run and repair and he was a 40+ years old professional with a good job who could easily afford them.
Still, if it was me, I'd buy it.

Squid > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 06:22

Alright, here is what I have to say. If you want the car buy it and get the title transferred over to you. Register it as a non-op car for the time being while you replenish your savings and you sort out the little niggles that you can while it isn't on the road. When you have some money saved up get it registered for operation and insured as a secondary car with limited mileage so insurance is low if you want to drive it around. Or you can keep on socking money away hating the civic for the next two years knowing that you'll have enough money to buy what you want when the lease is up. The fiscally responsible thing to do is to not buy the car. The jalop thing to do is throw caution to the wind and buy the car and be car poor. The main point with option two is that it wouldn't be your DD so you have time to sort out the niggles and repair what needs it and on a leisurely pace. If you want to have a project car just know that they will ALWAYS eat your money no matter what. But having a wagon is great for college life as long as you have a spot to park it. With every car you buy there is always buyers remorse, well at least all the ones I have bought. That isn't to say not to do it or to do it though, it comes down to how long can you stand having the car in your driveway waiting for you to have enough money to afford to drive it. If you are only 16 (I think that is what I read somewhere on this thread) you might be better off socking your money away and waiting until the lease is closer to being up before buying another car.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/19/2014 at 08:05

I've done pretty much the same thing with my new Jag XJ6. It cost me £1500, and has pretty much wiped me out financially.

It's been tough this month. I think I'll just scrape by (I've had £20 in my account for the past week or so), but I've done my maths.

I figured out I was spending about £65 a month on lunch at work, so I made food at home and scraped some cash back there. I'm also in full-time work, so I'm certain I can pay it back in time.

It's certainly tough, but I'm glad I did it.

Eric Villanueva > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/20/2014 at 13:52

Know what you're getting into and have a goal for what you ultimately want. The 740 (rwd) is completely different than the 850/V70 (fwd) so you can't just put on "R" parts from those models onto the 740. Since it won't be for DD and you'll have time to tinker with it then I say go for it. 740's are not hard to work on and there is a large group of online fellows that will help diagnose any issue you might have. These are great canvases for engine swaps. I've seen Ford & Chevy small blocks in them.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Eric Villanueva
06/20/2014 at 16:02

If I do get it, my goal is to make it DD possible. Once my lease is up in 2.5 years, I want this to be able to do DD with working AC, upgraded bits, and have it seeming new.

As for swapping R, I'm not thinking so much as part swapping, but making it seem like there was a 740R by lowering it a bit, putting some newer R rims on and maybe trying to bring newer interior bits over. If money allows, a bigger turbo would be nice.

Ive been reading into the forums and there is a ton of support which I liked a lot.

I dont know if you looked at the ad, but the car is perfectly stock now. And the engine only has 130,000 miles, which is nothing. Hes already taken care of the big issues with the car too like timing belt, water pump, radiator, battery, etc.

Ive been checking finances and it is manageable but im just not sure yet