Talk me out of this...

"Tristan" (casselts)
11/04/2018 at 01:49 • Filed to: None

It’s a ‘98 V70R with 220k miles, but it looks pretty clean. They’re asking $1,700. Is this a reasonably decent idea for a fun commuter/backroads cruiser, or will I hate my life? Yes, I’m mechanically inclined.

DISCUSSION (29)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:57

$1700? meh, just go for it

what’s the worst that can happen?

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:59

I’ve been looking at that one. Price looks good enough to account for what I imagine are at least a few issues, especially if you can talk him down. You can do basically anything you need to keep it running, right? I say go for it! I would absolutely love to meet up and compare the two wagons!

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
11/04/2018 at 01:07

Hop down to Portland tomorrow... I need to drive your car to see if I really want to wait around for an impossible-to-find manual trans car! :P

I can do pretty much anything and I don’t shy away from tough fixes, but with my insane life the way it is right now I’d need this thing to be reliable for at least 6 months to a year before doing much to it. My Suburban needs from wheel bearings... they get louder every time I drive it. I have new ones sitting in the garage, but so far my fix has been to drive it sparingly. I don’t even have time to be on Oppo right now.

Tristan > pip bip - choose Corrour
11/04/2018 at 01:09

Catastrophic mechanical failure resulting in an ANGERY wife. Barring that, I should easily be able to get my money back out of it if I don’t love it.

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:12

Good point. Do you think things will get less hectic after 6 months, even? Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on. The ad doesn’t exactly scream “well-maintained by someone who eats and sleeps V olvo’s” but you never know.

The manual is growing on me, but I'm pretty sure those 1st gen R's didn't have a manual offering in America?

Derpwagon > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:14

I approve of your use of "ANGERY". I chuckled.

boxrocket > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:15

Go for it, but offer $1250 based on mileage and having the wrong wheels . If you pay more than $1500, then you should feel a little guilt but not all that much.

Tapas > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:15

No, don't do it! I want it!

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
11/04/2018 at 01:17

They didn’t. The ‘98 kept the 850R’s 4-speed auto which is a solid ‘box. In ‘99 the 5-speed auto came along and it didn’t really get ironed out until 2003. The ‘98 didn’t get a DBW throttle yet, either. These facts make this one attractive to me despite the high miles.

In 6 months, I’ll have a 5-month old, my bathroom renovations and, thusly, my entire house renovation will be done, and I’ll be graduated from college. I can’t wait. It’s a big part of why I’m so entranced with finding a fun/practical/comfy car to daily so I can turn my hour of commuting misery into something that puts a smile on my face.

Tristan > Derpwagon
11/04/2018 at 01:18

I think it should be an approved spelling in the dictionary. ;)

Tristan > boxrocket
11/04/2018 at 01:19

I was considering offering $1,500. Sub-2k Rs tend to get scooped up pretty quick around here.

atfsgeoff > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:23

Yep, offer 1500 and take it if the seller accepts. Cheap money for a quick, fun car.

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:33

Hmm. I guess it mostly comes down to the transmission then? Manual fwd , auto R, or maybe a manual swap at some point? It's too bad there aren't more options on Craigslist right now. You might need to start leaving cards on windshields

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 01:33

Chump change. But it.

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
11/04/2018 at 01:59

I’m not in a big hurry, but I am burning a LOT of gas commuting with my ‘burban and ever-so-slightly less when commuting with my Jeep.

Tristan > Tapas
11/04/2018 at 02:01

GET AWAY ! MINE!

Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
11/04/2018 at 02:01

You underestimate my cheapassery.

Future Heap Owner > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 02:24

If you ever need help and/or external motivation to wrench, hit me up. I’d always be down to spend a good part of a weekend day getting some mechanical experience.

Tristan > Future Heap Owner
11/04/2018 at 02:47

Got a burner email?

facw > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 02:57

At that price, I say go for it if it looks at all good. At that mileage I’d assume it needs timing belt/water pump/etc. unless they have records showing otherwise, but it could be practical and fun.

Tristan > facw
11/04/2018 at 03:02

I’m assuming I’ll have to do a t-belt on just about any cheap Volvo, possibly PCV, too. That’s a few hundred for some good peace of mind.

The last Volvo I bought had everything done to it... Why did I sell that one again?

Sovande > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 06:23

Does the AWD work? If not the driveshaft is probably removed. A refurbed unit is about $900.

Or, take the driveshaft out, make it FWD and manual swap it.

Maxima Speed > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 09:34

I’m going to tell you to buy it just because I want to see the quality Oppo content. Whether it’s a wise decision or not? I have no clue.

boxrocket > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 09:34

Offer low, then there’s room for compromise. If both you and the seller know you’re going to do $1500, there’s no reason to sell yourself short, and then both of you feel like you got a good deal.

Tristan > Sovande
11/04/2018 at 10:58

It’s something I'll definitely be looking at. I want AWD, but I'll settle for fwd at a lower price.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 11:17

Did you really expect us not to tell you to buy the turbo brick wagon?

Sovande > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 11:36

I know you live on the opposite coast, but I just found this canoe when I was out fishing today. Would look great on the roof of that wagon!

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 11:53

You’ve come to the wrong place to be talked out of buying a turbocharged wagon.

Future Heap Owner > Tristan
11/04/2018 at 12:51

spamme@aperiodic.org