In need of info from the collective...

I posted a few weeks ago about my current car search.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/learn-me-volvo-850glt-wagons/41574/page1/

Cliff notes version: - Wife's car died w/ junior and MIL in the middle of now where. I'm currently looking at dailys for me, she will drive our 1999 accord that we have for a few months and we'll hopefully get a minivan in a few months. My wife is a stay at home mom, we have a business that twice a year, we travel alot for. Don't have alot of extra money in the household right now.

Requirements:

1) Rel. cheap( $2k> )

2) Rel. reliable( compared to a ford explorer which we had no major isses out of until recently or our honda accord which has been perfect)

3) More backseat and cargo room than a 1999 explorer( needs ability to fit 2 car seats ) and the necess. baby stuff if needed. Also, will carry large amounts of boxes and other light, bulky items twice a year

4) 25+ mpg highway( I drive 60+ miles/day for work )

5) I need the ability to be able to get a year's use out of it.

I've got the search down to 2 cars:

Car#1: 1994 volvo 855 -- $700 -- 260k on clock

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2720351982.html I've got this one pretty much sorted out issues and merit wise thanks to BigDaddyLee and the interwebs. Its current owner seems like a real good guy and has a stack of receipts for stuff that was done and info on stuff that needs work. Major areas of concern: -Driver's side lower ball joint -Random stalling( I think we have a good idea of what this could be ) -Tranny acting randomly funny

Car#2: 1995 subaru legacy -- $1100( price dropping almost daily. Started close to 2k) -- 290k on clock http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2727182631.html I don't know anything about subies except that I want a 2.5 Impreza one day. Drove one once, fell in love instantly.

What does the Collective say about how these stack up to each other? Work and home will be real busy in a few weeks until around the middle of march so I don't have time or money to throw alot of parts at any car. What's your opinion on these cars??

Thanks....

No matter how much you chase down issues with a Volvo, it could be wonderful or it could be a complete pile of E36 M3. I run a transmission shop. don't walk, RUN. A quick search on my wholesale salvage network shows used trannys with 130k for $600. If you want one under 100k, expect to pay $1200 wholesale, and unless you have your own lift don't even think about changing it yourself. Even if you do, you might go through a few installations before you get one without a completely trashed valve body. Getting it rebuilt will probably run you about $2500. Please run. Run as fast as you can.

The Suby has too many miles (IMO) to command that price. Seriously? $500 tops. Good news is the manual tranny. Clutches are pretty cheap and aren't as tough to install as they look.

wow...does that tranny seem to be in that bad a condition in the volvo? I had hoped that it was a electrical issue or time for a flush. crap...thanks for the info, though

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/service/850/AutoTransDiagnosis.pdf

This might be of help...maybe not, I just skimmed it.

In reply to EvanB:

That's very technical, but has alot of good info. Thanks alot!!!

You seem to be focusing on wagons, any thoughts on a mini van?

I don't know anything about their mileage, but it fills every other requirement.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2714429931.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2717160626.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2686035315.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2719456700.html

2 questions.
1. With your wife @ home do you drive 60 miles for work or do you live 30 miles from work? If its the later move, if its the former do you get reimbursed or can you depreciate mileage?

1. What happens "in a few months" that makes you wait for a minivan purchase? If you have 2k now why not use it as a downpayment on a 7-10k minivan? I'd hate to spend 2k and buy something that is going to need 1k in maintenance and now you are 3k into a vehicle that you will be able to sell for less than what you paid.

If you must find a 2k vehicle I would buy a Taurus/camry type thing that has a good reputation for reliability.

How about another 99 Accord? Add a trailer hitch and rent a U-haul trailer for the 2 times per year you actually need to haul stuff.

I'm not usually one to say something like this, but given your driving requirements, reliability requirements, no $ to buy anything but mostly used up cars that are going to require some serious maintenance beyond the $ you have available to you, a young one at home, a stay-at-home wife, sounds like give the accord to the wife and go finance an Elantra or equivlaent 4 door smaller car with high mpg and a warranty...

Get a second job? Maybe wifey should get a job? I know that she probably wants to be with the kid and stuff, but you've got to eat. Does she really need a car? We were a one-car family while I was growing up. I would look into financing a cheap car.

I have a 2000 Grand Caravan 3.3, and around town it gets about 20 mpg. On longer trips it tends to be loaded but still gets closer to 23-24 mpg. With the back seats out it's the size of an armored personnel carrier inside. Dual sliding doors for access, 4 captains chairs and a 3rd-row bench, which can be swapped to the middle row on demand.

It's been dead-nuts reliable in the 7 or 8 years I've owned it.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=310524257
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=305440052
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=306910324

Roadmaster / Caprice / Olds wagon?

On the highway you should get mid 20s or better, tons of space, and there are lots of them around.

ok. I live 30miles from work, so I basically drive 60/day. The wife needs a car b/c I don't like leaving them at home w/o transportation during the day. We're trying not to add any more regular monthly bills to the household until atleast after March. That said, I stopped looking at minivans b/c the ones that I was seeing were either beat to heck or something that was known to have alot of issues. I found the volvo recently, and am relatively certain that I can buy it and fix everything that I currently know about for $900. This does not include the tranny issue w/ could be a number of things. And the tranny is the only major hesitation that I have. The guy has another offer on the volvo, but I have a few minutes to decide.

Thanks again for your help and honesty.

Maxima/Altima? Loads of rear seat room, great longevity and fantastic V6's.

Think about the Volvo this way...if it turns out to be the tranny completely crapping out, what would you do then?

If you need to have a car now, look Escort or Taurus or something like that. Should be able to find a good solid one for your budget.

If you only need that box/cargo carrying capacity twice per year, just rent a car for those days. Figure $50 for a day of a van rental. It's only twice.

I've got a '96 850 GLT wagon as my daily. I love it, but it's only got 122k on it, and if it has a major meltdown, I'm done with it.

Joe Gearin wrote: Roadmaster / Caprice / Olds wagon? On the highway you should get mid 20s or better, tons of space, and there are lots of them around.

What he said. Or a 2WD Astro/Safari and eat the fuel difference.

I think others are on the right track with the ChryCo van suggestions as well.

the answer is........

92-95 Camry wagon

oldeskewltoy wrote: the answer is........ 92-95 Camry wagon

This.

The thing w/ the extra space, I basically need to transport alot of stuff about 2hrs away, and then I'm in that area for about 2wks. It not really feasible to rent a van here and do a one-way rental, and I don't want to rent a van for round trip b/c I would basically need to drive 2hrs to return the van and then 2hrs back to the location. Then, rinse and repeat 8 days later.

I've heard alot of people complaining about the chry/dodge and windstar trannys and the rest are not in the price range or just as "unreliable". I need to do more research I guess...........

oldeskewltoy wrote: the answer is........ 92-95 Camry wagon

Yeah, all 42 of them that were ever sold in the US should still be easy to find. Nice idea though.

Eh, i see 1-2 of them a week here.

Though i think i've only ever seen one for sale, and one in the junkyard.

Duke wrote:

oldeskewltoy wrote: the answer is........ 92-95 Camry wagon

Yeah, all 42 of them that were ever sold in the US should still be easy to find. Nice idea though.

Funny thing is, I saw one on Sun for the first time. As much as a hate a toyota, I'd drive it.

What's the consensus on the 1994 taurus wagon? Do they have the tranny issues that the sedans have?

How about a Saturn Wagon? Great gas mileage, plenty of room, good reputation, lots of web support. And, did I mention, cheap?

In reply to cwh:

Not against it at all. They don't show up much around here.

I'm throwing up a little in my mouth saying this, but a P71 fits your needs. That trunk can swallow what you need, you'll get low-mid 20's on the hwy allegedly, and parts are cheap, and generally reliable. Top it off that they can be had for $2k all day long.
That said, I leave my wife at home with no car. E36 M3 happens, call the ambulance. Shopping can work around work schedules/weekends. Actually saves money because she's not out buying crap during the day. Gave her the car today, and sure enough, spent $100 on stuff we don't need...