Yesterday, after work, I met with the Volvo owner in order to inspect the car. I have little knowledge when it comes to cars. If it looks good, I’ll buy it! Only that’s not really the truth because I have wanted a Volvo since the last one I owned was totaled and I have yet to make the dive.
Just for fun, this morning, while sipping my first cup of coffee, I searched mihow.com to find out just how many times I brought up my fondness for these old gems. I thought I’d share a few of them. (Key word: “few”. There were more mentions I did not link to. I am a loser, apparently.)
The first time I brought it up was on May 22nd, 2002. And then a month later I discovered Ebay. I brought it up again two days later. And then again the the following day I decided not to buy one after discovering how much insurance cost. On the 28th of June I was officially defeated by the insurance companies after being told I’d have to pay more in insurance than for the actual car. On the 20th of November I placed a bid on a car and then I made an appointment to see it on the 21st (which I never went to.) And then I placed a bid on June 23rd, 2003.. On July 1st I brought it up again but only in passing.
I’m 31 and this one has been offered to me should I choose to buy it. I won’t lie, it has its problems but overall it’s in really great condition considering it’s almost as old as me. This morning, after be woken by dawn, I called Geico and got a quote: $360.00 every six months. That’s one roadblock overcome. Now, I just need to figure out if I want to pay for the damn thing. Please, won’t someone tell me what to do, dammit. I hate spending large sums of cash. I hate it.
All I can say is that next to the circles of hell reserved for landlords, lawyers, and insurance people is one for mechanics. When you buy an old used car you buy an ongoing maintenance responsibility and that really sucks. I have to have a car and I decided that I was happier making a $400/month payment on a really nice car than a semi-annual payment of $2400 to some damned mechanic. Gaskets, sensors, belts, breaks and hoses always wear out (even on Volvos), and given NY State’s new emissions requirements, you better make sure you’re not looking at replacing a catalytic converter in order to pass inspection.
Well, the good news is the car doesn’t need to pass the NYC emissions test because of its age. But the rest of that is a good point.
oh, this posting is back. I fear I have repeated myself. heh. If you really want an experience of driving a classic old car, can’t you rent one once in a while?
Well, see, that’s the thing, renting cars in NYC proves pricey. We put one on hold last weekend and it was 300 dollars for the weekend. I have no idea how much it would be to rent an old car. Not even sure that’s possible.
there’s rent-a-wreck
all those cars are OLD
Ouch on the lawyers in hell comment…
what happened with the mini? too expensive? fear of it getting ripped off or banged up in brooklyn?
We’re getting the Volvo to swallow the Mini.
don’t let me anywhere near that car….. ; )
i love old cars!!!!!! sure they can be a hassle but mostly, i see them as an adventure every time you take them out.
haha! Nah, you were nothing. Ryan is the one who totaled the poor bastard. Yours was a mere flesh wound. :]
well, i did kill a perfectly good ford explorer…….your old volvo was a real trooper!
Well, that’s what Ford gets for making cars out of fiberglass.
Hell, if it turns into a money pit sell it or donate it to charity. How much is it costing anyhow?
On the other hand I always wanted a 144 and am driving an oh so practical ‘95 Golf so don’t pay me no never mind.
Just be practical Mihow. You’re an adult now. It’s for the best…
It’s 500 too much. 2500. The guy selling it told the other girl he was going to sell it to me instead. Does that mean I have to now? Why does spending money make me sick to my stomach?
You aren’t obligated to do anything.
Heck no. You don’t have to buy it unless you want to. I’d tell him to come down to 1800 and it’s a deal. Play hardball!
THIS IS IN NO WAY A RECOMMENDATION!
I think it’s adorable.
I wanna paint it the color of the one in the photo.