To Sell My Volvo For a Miata or Keep It?

"I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner" (forvolvo)
06/03/2015 at 21:21 • Filed to: None

Hello Oppo! Sorry I’ve been gone for so long, I’ve had to focus on school, but I’m back and I need your help! As I have said before, my Volvo 960 has been having problems. The flashing arrow is back, and I’m not sure if I want to dump more money into the car that could potentially have more problems. When it was at the mechanic last time, they found a fault in the wiring harness that may have explained the problems I’ve had. I’m worried that even if I spend $500 to diagnose and fix the problem, trouble will be lurking around the corner, and it will be even more expensive. I’m scared to work on the car because parts are hard to find and are expensive (at least compared to old Volvos) because the 960/S90/V90 were the only Volvos to use that transmission and engine. Moreover, swapping the transmission pretty much can’t be done because I would have to get a custom bell housing, and that transmission would be backed up to a 225,000 mile engine. I’m proud of owning such a unique car, but it doesn’t really bring me joy other that being so unique, and with the MOST COMFORTABLE SEATS EVER. I’m 20 years old and one car on my bucket list is the Miata. Reliable, fun, easy to work on, and there’s truly no better time in my life to own such an impractical car!

My concerns are that I’m worried about losing the $2300 I spent on the car because of its transmission and speedometer problems as a college student. On the other hand though, I will have $11000 by the end of summer. I plan on buying an NB Miata with around 100,000 miles for around $5000. What do you guys think I should do? I know my car needs and oil change, the serpintine belt replaced, and some transmission problem (it gets stuck in 3rd and 4th gear sometimes, and the shifting is rough and it might be slipping [FUCK I JUST LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND I HAVE IT NOW]) should I get the serptintine belt fixed, and should I get the transmission fixed or should I just bite the pillow, take the loss in resale value and get rid of it? Thanks guys!

DISCUSSION (11)

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 21:32

Obligatory:

Kinja'd!!!

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata
06/03/2015 at 21:32

Haha as if I need enough reason to adore the Miata

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 21:35

did you at least grab a used sport/economy/winter switch and swap it out to see if your trouble goes away? It damn sure feels like you are slipping when you are starting in 3rd gear as winter mode is programmed to do.

Also, dont be scared to work on it. It is still a car, and they made that inline 6 for a good run (I forget if you have a 3.0 or 2.5 though)

jkm7680 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 21:41

Keep it, Miatas are tiny and impractical.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > 505Turbeaux
06/03/2015 at 21:41

Yeah I did buy the ESW switch and it made no difference. And it is EXACTLY like it’s running in winter mode, it’s really weird. And I have the 3.0.

505Turbeaux > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 21:45

I thought you did, so that is a rarer beast than the 2.5. Tough to say, I would run it out. 2.5 transmission is the same though if you need one.

I would be pulling that switch and doing some testing downstream from it to see if you are grounding something out into W mode. And for what though, I used W mode once in an 850 and a 960. If you have snow tires all it does is make you go slow!

boxrocket > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 23:22

I sold my 1990 Volvo 760 Turbo wagon in April with 175k on it. I know what you’re going through.

I miss the hell out of that car, but I don’t miss the stresses that could come from it. The Mazda6 I replaced it with it is much less unique and has much less personality: It shows its American roots where the Volvo was joyously Swedish. That said, the Mazda is delightfully reliable and mechanically and electrically sound (knock on wood). It’s surprising just how much less stressed I am with the Mazda, and I’m better for it.

Do what you can to make the Volvo last as long as possible while you find the best damn Miata you can, then sell it to someone who will appreciate it, or at least use it for parts. Alternately, get a cheaper Miata, and use the difference to turn the Volvo into a project car with a new, exciting engine and transmission.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > boxrocket
06/03/2015 at 23:44

Thank you! And as someone raised in a Mazda6 Sportwagon I can certainly attest to how wonderful the car is, albeit much more Americanized. Damn did that car drive well!

105 HP of fury > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/03/2015 at 23:53

That flashing arrow is your turn signal. Use the lever to the left of the steering wheel to make it stop.

But seriously, if you won’t be doing the wrenching yourself, it sounds like the repairs may be more than the value of the car. So unless you love it, it may be time to move on.

boxrocket > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/04/2015 at 00:00

I’d like it a lot more if it were the Sportwagon or the 5-door, but it’s just a sedan, albeit a S V6. What’s interesting is that my wife has a newer 6 (2007 I “Sport Value” with the I4), and just how much different they feel and drive. Even she mostly likes my car more than her own!

JasonStern911 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
06/04/2015 at 00:37

Question answers itself pretty easily - would you rather spend your time wrenching/working a job to pay someone else to wrench, or would you rather spend your time driving?