This is Violet. She is awesome, and I love her. She's what you might call a Good Dog.
She loves me too. She also loves everybody else. And everything. All the time. We like to go places and take walks. She loves that too.
The problem is that she's kind of a jerk in the car. When she was a puppy, I surmised that if I just took her someplace everyday, she would grow up to be one of those dogs who goes everywhere with me, sitting by my side in the truck, casually sniffing the air whisping in through the slightly open side window.
Didn't happen.
So anyway, she's a Big Jerk in the car. I have one of those dog hammocks for the back seat of my truck, and while she doesn't normally shed, the thing is made of polyester and she rolls and creates so much static that it's like a fur tornado back there. This was tolerable in the old truck, but I just bought a new truck and I plan on keeping it for a long, long time. I don't want dog hair in there.
Sedans also pose a problem, as there are usually three of us humans. She inevitably ends up stomping all over whomever draws the short straw and sits in the back seat with her.
Violet has become a challenge to transport.
After much research and many, many "Which Dog Hauler?" threads here on the forum, I finally stumbled upon this tasty little Swedish meatball, fourteen minutes after it was posted on Craigslist:
Emails were exchanged, phone calls were made and money changed hands.
It's a 1998 Volvo V70R. First year for Volvo's flagship hotrod under that name. Purchased from a mid 60-ish Volvo enthusiast with 109k miles. Everything works as it should. Timing belt was done when it was supposed to be done. PCV system is working as it should. A/C works. Heater works. It doesn't pressurize the cooling system. All four Michelin tires are evenly worn. Brakes and muffler are new. AWD system (pre-Haldex) works properly. Books, title, tools...the whole Magilla. I wanted a car with full leather (dog hair), but I will have to settle for the leather / Alcantara sport seats (no tears).
Modifications are limited to an Ansa exhaust system, cross drilled brake rotors, and (for some unknown reason) blue painted brake calipers. The seller was very proud of his work. I shall do my best to remove the overspray. At least.
What does it need? A good cleaning, a new CHMSL, and a replacement for the retractable dog screen that is built into the back of the rear seat (EDIT: Dog screen is intact and functional. Operator Error!). With a little bit of care, it should be good for another 200,000 miles or so.
Violet, as always, is happy.