Old but good... I think

My 20 yo son is driving his grandmother's 1983 240GL, which has
60,000KM. We have had it since new.
It has not been well treated these past couple of years, and my son
wants to get a different car. My view is that it could be made great
(with cosmetic and possibly fundamental problems repaired.)
Is it possible to find an honest Volvo specialist in Sydney Australia
who could tell me (a) whether its worth getting into shape and (b)
what it might cost?
What do I need to do to answer these questions..

 

Wow, that's super low miles, less than half the lowest of that year I've
seen any time in the last decade. These are great cars, but if your son
doesn't want it, sell it to someone who will appreciate it and take care of
it. He's likely made up his mind that Volvos are not "cool" and you won't be
able to change that. These things are practically indestructible and very
easy to deal with mechanically but good cosmetic parts are getting scarce.
Nobody without a crystal ball can give you even a rough estimate of the
cost, as you haven't said anything about what it needs.

 

It's safe to say, paying a specialist (or, any mechanic) to fix or
repair even the minimum of likely problems (wiring harness, etc.) would
quickly add up to more than the perceived value of the car.
It's not so much the repairs are complicated, just that shop rates being
what they are...
If the body is straight and not rusted (do they get rust in AUS?), the
interior has to be good with those low numbers, it would be a jewel of a
find for an enthusiast. Surely outlive it's owner.

My '83 has more than six times the mileage (kilometerage?) on it... and
it still runs fine.

Best value for you, if you want to get rid of it, is find where the
Volvo guys hang out in Sidney and sell it.
Unless it's truly trashed, it should bring top dollar.

 

Thanks so much for your contribution... I did make a mistake in my
description of the car.. The car is an 1989, but I presume the
60,000km is pretty good for that age of car.
There isnt any rust, but the propblems are cosmetic and sometimes it
doesnt want to start in the mornings (the car and the son!)
I think it would be tragic to just dump or give away a car which I
have known since it was new and shining, hasnt been in an accident,
hasnt had anything done to the engine...
But you are right about perception... He definitely doesnt think its
cool... Maybe if I put alloy wheels and a re-spray, and big doof doof
sound system... he might... just ... like it.. Or I will keep it for
me!
Thanks for the contribution folks...
Keep up the good work..

 

And don't forget the huge rear "wing"! ;-)

 

Low milage may or may not indicate whether the car is in good
condition. Your first message indicates that it has not been treated
very well for several years. I would translate that statement to mean
the car has accumulated a lot of deferred maintenance and problems are
beginning to show up. What you need is an honest evaluation and
listing of all the things that need to be fixed. I would think that a
local Volvo dealer could perform such an analysis for a fee.

I'm assuming your 20 year old son is driving the car at no cost other
than fuel, etc., and that the car is essentially his for the taking.
My response to his wanting a different car would be if you want to
throw away a perfectly good car then you pay for it's replacement,
insurance and repairs.

I sent my daughter off to college with a 1987 240 about 12 years ago
and got similar complaints about it being a duffers car, etc. She
came to love it after a year.

 

Tragically the story moves on, and he has decided he would rather go
and buy some 3 yo Japanese car with his hard earned cash, and is happy
for me to sell it... So if anyone in Sydney is after a 1989 240GL,
with 65k and one owner, get back to me... Its not in mint condition,
not even close (I did say its been looked after a 20 yo boy with
little appreciation for this car) but its never been in an accident,
and was driven by his grandmother for 16 years!!)... Should be
gorgeous with some tender loving care...
Oh well...

 

This may actually be a happy ending, at least for the car.

 

Yes... I agree... The 240 looks positively relieved... So if someone
can give me an idea of the value of an unregistered (expired 6/April/
08) White 240GL, with no body damage at all, and only 65k, and in need
of TLC...I can then find a new owner who will take care of this little
cutie!

 

If you were in he Northeast US. it would be worth between $1500 and
$2000 USD. Where you are, it depends on the value of your dollars and
the scarcity (and popularity) of the car. Check the local for sale listings.