I wanted to get an opinion from both the frugalites and the volvoites on an opportunity that is being presented to me.
My buddy has a 1987 volvo 760 turbo wagon that is in pristine shape. Hardly a nick on the body. No rust. It has 212,000 miles on it and pretty much everything but the engine has been replaced or rebuilt (shocks, struts, exhaust, tires, alternator, transmission, cooling system, etc.) within the last four years. In fact, probably the only original part in the car is the engine. My buddy loves this car, but is selling it. He has treated it like his own child (obsessively taking care of it).
He has been saying that he would sell it for a couple years now, and I've been patiently holding out for it. Finally, he has made it available to me. I have driven it and it drives like a dream. It doesn't seem almost 20 years old. I will get it checked out by a mechanic familiar with volvos. The big sticking point might be air conditioning (I need it--a dealbreaker if it doesn't work). He has it on the car, but never used it, and it is currently not working. Apparently, there is refrigerant in the A/C, but needs a new intake fan for it to work (help me out here volvo guys--does this make sense? will this be expensive?). I will be getting it checked out this weekend by an auto A/C specialist and a good auto mechanic.
He is asking $2000 for it. My dad, who is a car expert, frets about the age and the miles on the vehicle. Obviously, the MPG will be poor, but the car will not be driven very far or very often. I just need it for occasional transportation.
I guess I want the opinion of the experts out there. I think this car may be a great deal, since it has been cared for so well and has served it's previous owner well. But, every time I tell somone about the age and milage, their eyes get big and freak out. My dad is especially concerned. I trust his instincts, yet my gut says that this may be a great way to enjoy a luxury vehicle at a yugo price. Just FYI, my buddy is my best friend and was the best man at my wedding. He has been very thorough, telling me all its faults (few and minor) in painstaking detail.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
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