Thread: General: 140: - Purchasing a 144
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Old Feb 10th, 2022, 14:53   #7
Othen
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Originally Posted by john.wigley View Post
Having owned and run several 144s and 145s in period 'Doocey' (my first ever Volvo was a 145E bought on a whim in 1984 ), I have to agree with both 'Burdekin' and '142 Guy'. The youngest 1 - series car will now be fast approaching it's 50th birthday and as said, is not now a car for the feint hearted.

It is great that a young person like you has a yen for old Volvos and I feel that we should be encouraging your enthusiasm and not pouring cold water on it. I think that the best way I can do that is by redirecting you towards another 7 - series car, which you clearly know well and have experience of.

Alternatively, you might also consider a mid to late 2-series car. Much of the 1-series was carried over to the 2-series cars and in many respects they have a not dissimilar 'feel' to them. You can still find reasonable examples around at sensible money if you are patient and fettle them economically if you have the necessary skills and equipment.

Have a look at Alan's (Othen) excellent thread on the 'Royal Barge', a 244 that he purchased two years ago for, I think, £2.5K, and did exactly that, as an example of what I mean and can be achieved. Alan now has a superb example of the marque that he can happily use every day and could also easily sell for twice what he paid for it if he ever wanted to.

Regards, John.
Doocey will be tired of us old chaps telling him the same thing by now John, but I strongly agree with everyone here: a 144 would not be cheap (to buy or run) and 50 year old motor cars are not for the feint hearted!

Since my second Volvo ownership (the RB - the first was in 1986) I've noticed 240 prices increase considerably, there wouldn't be much that was safe and reliable enough to use regularly available under £4,000-£5,000 any more, and I don't think it would be possible to get a similar 140 under about £6,000. I don't know if those prices would suit the OP's pocket, but I wouldn't really advise on going downmarket from there unless he is a masochist.

You are right: a nice 700 car would be better, cheaper and safer. Better still a nice Toyota Yaris until the OP qualifies, is well established in a career and earning enough money to pay someone to fix all the rust on a 144 :-)

Alan
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Last edited by Othen; Feb 10th, 2022 at 14:56.
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