There's probably a thread for this, but it's the garage so

What I'm looking for: A cheap, reliable beater that'll make the 2 mile to commute to work.

What I've found:

Quote :

"Fully loaded 1995 volvo 940. All the electric parts work. Spent over $700 on a new tranny 9 months ago. Spent over $300 on tune up last month. Engine and tranny are in working excellent condition. Does not need anything. Very good on gas. Gets on average 30 MPG. 160k miles only!! If you don't care about it's ugly looks then it is a lot of car for 1500! Good interior condition, very spacious. Good exterior. It has a dent on the passenger fender and it is easily fixable. Price is firm. Call only if serious. I do not have any more pictures. "

I know these old Volvos are prone to electrical gremlins, but dude says all is well. Aesthetics aren't important at all, but I do find boxy wagons to be super sexy. I'm gonna check it out in person on Saturday, so everything is of course pending the visual inspection and test drive.

Basically I want people who know a lot more about these things to drop some knowledge on 15 year-old RWD Volvos, cars with 160,000 miles, and $1500 Craigslist beaters.

11/12/2009 10:23:43 PM

$1500 can get you a much better car than that

11/12/2009 10:26:36 PM

all my volvos have been the shit. they are easy to work on and the hardest thing to do was the wiring for the fuel pump.

if you have 1500 to spend on a car that will last another 6 years than go for it. these cars go 350k miles with good up keep. not to mention the heated seats are baller

^not much better



[Edited on November 12, 2009 at 10:31 PM. Reason : you are asking a bunch of people that want pay nothing for something]

11/12/2009 10:27:56 PM

Another factor: the guy selling it is Iranian, so by purchasing the car I'll be funding some terrorist money laundering operation. Take that into consideration.

--

Most everything I read (that isn't some wacky disgruntled owner) mentions the super dependable drivetrain, but I'm not coming across any common issues that bring these things to a halt. Anything major common issues that you'd recommend I look out for, Ragged?

[Edited on November 12, 2009 at 10:33 PM. Reason : ]

11/12/2009 10:30:48 PM

^ha glad i edited that. i knew it

11/12/2009 10:31:48 PM

The price has dropped to $1000 and the mileage is up to 180k

hm

11/15/2009 4:17:28 PM

Shit, wait for the mileage to go up to 220k and you've got yourself a free car.

All ya gotta do is insure it!

[Edited on November 15, 2009 at 5:07 PM. Reason : maths]

11/15/2009 5:06:55 PM

lol, get a cheap ass honda instead.

11/15/2009 5:11:41 PM

For $1k it could be a deal, but just get someone who knows half a thing about cars to look at it with you to make sure you can at least get a few thousand miles out of it. Don't trust anybody selling a beater car, especially a foreigner. Take solace in the fact that you can always scrap it for a few hundred bucks when it croaks.

11/15/2009 7:10:18 PM

2 miles? walk or get a bike, lazy ass.

11/15/2009 9:11:42 PM

just get an old honda or toyota. junkyard parts will be easier to find.

11/15/2009 9:43:40 PM

actually there is a shit load of volvos in junkyards, in fact thats where most of them are.

11/15/2009 10:43:18 PM

^^^get a bike.

11/15/2009 10:56:39 PM

dewd I paid $300 for a volvo 240 wagon in similar condition with 220K, ran like a champ even though it was an 85' model year. AC didn't work and that was about all that was wrong with it. get a older 240 FTMFW

and I fixed it up and sold it for $1000 a few months later

11/15/2009 11:43:25 PM

[no]

11/17/2009 1:16:00 PM

Quote :

"actually there is a shit load of volvos in junkyards, in fact thats where most of them are."

hahahah A+

11/24/2009 8:33:05 PM

when they get 750k miles on them maybe

11/30/2009 10:39:35 AM

So how do you feel about

Quote :

"1996 Volvo 850 GLT - $2950 113,000 miles, well maintained, pw, ps, pdl, , auto, sunroof, alloy wheels, heated seats, cd player, navy blue exterior with gray leather interior, car is very clean, no cuts or rips on the leather, runs very good. Front rotors and pads are one month old. Spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, air filter, fan belt are all one month old. Timing belt, water pump, all the seals were done at 110,000. Rear shocks have been replaced also. Overall in very good condition. Runs and drives great. No accidents and no dents. Need to sell as we are moving out of state. Serious inquires only. "

12/16/2009 1:45:43 PM

Not nearly as good a deal

12/16/2009 1:54:38 PM

get an R!

12/16/2009 3:29:25 PM

I'd take a regular ol turbo if I could get one for a reasonable price.

12/16/2009 4:17:51 PM

hold out for one with a manual transmission.

12/16/2009 4:35:36 PM

also that

12/16/2009 4:57:33 PM

meh not a fan of the front wheel drive ones. they aslo like to eat head gaskets. not like the old bf24 or wtf everits called. you can pretty much drive them with out oil in it.

12/16/2009 7:23:44 PM

i want to buy this car soooooooo bad!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=268251123&dealer_id=55820272&car_year=2000&rdm=1261166888247&lastStartYear=1981&model=540I&num_records=25&systime=&make3=BMW&make2=BMW&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1995&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&model3=335I&model2=M5&search_lang=en&sownerid=63343333&showZipError=n&make=BMW&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=0&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=27613&advanced=y&end_year=2007&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=25000&cardist=344&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

12/18/2009 3:09:52 PM