Any Advice?

[Chris152]

Ok, thanks all - we'll be taking this info with us today to the viewing.
I've not bought a car privately for a couple of decades and had forgotten how tricky it can be. People telling you what a bargain they're selling, with just these few things sorted it's going to be worth a fortune, how terribly scarce they are now etc. I found ebay's 'completed' section quite helpful, and a reminder that something's worth what people will pay, not what's asked!

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by Chris152

Ok, thanks all - we'll be taking this info with us today to the viewing.
I've not bought a car privately for a couple of decades and had forgotten how tricky it can be. People telling you what a bargain they're selling, with just these few things sorted it's going to be worth a fortune, how terribly scarce they are now etc. I found ebay's 'completed' section quite helpful, and a reminder that something's worth what people will pay, not what's asked!

Ebay advanced search for completed listings can often be informative in more ways than one. And rad feedback. Especially including responses to negatives and neutrals.

Oh yes. And. Also read between the lines and join up the dots in the forum re sales and allied threads.

Good luck with your viewing.



What is the code for that triangular semicolon close bracket type of emoticon?


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[Chris152]

Thanks Stephen - it went fine, nice chap, very honest. The car's done 185000 but looks fine for it, though it has wear and some rust on tailgate, the bottom of one door and one wheel arch. The lights to the dash don't work, and it'll need a new clutch soon - it judders a bit.
One thing I'd like to know, if the car had a cat, would it show in a view along the length of the underside of the car? (I have a photo but see I can't simply upload it?) The car we looked at just has a straight pipe.

ps It seemed to pull fine, didn't seem underpowered but no doubt working harder than a 2.3 to do the same.
Is clutch replacement a difficult job? I did it once on a spitfire, light and no roof so easy to lift out from inside the car. Alternatively, what could we expect to pay to get done at a relatively 'cheap' garage (I know a couple)?
And thanks for the helpful pm I just received - unfortunately I can't reply!

[c1800]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

In the USA they were mandatory since 1965 so Volvo had been using them for some considerable time before we got them.

Looks like a typo, was actually 1975 they were mandated. 😁

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by c1800

Looks like a typo, was actually 1975 they were mandated. 😁

That was indeed a typo - thanks for pointing it out! Should as you rightly say be 1975, haven't been feeling great lately so my proof reading isn't as good as usual!

[Bob Meadows]

A straight pipe run from manifold to the first box (just in front of the rear axle) probably indicates a non-catalyst engine- see attached:~
The clutch replacement can be completed at home- you will find good information on this with photos if you do a search, I had also done a bit of a write up after changing my ’88 240. Quite straight forward & removed from underneath, I done this alone from the garage floor so with two you should be fine—clutch came via ebay & not expensive ( Luk) personally I would save on garage costs and put the money towards other bits (tight Lancashire lad)
Good Luck.
Bob.

[Chris152]

Thanks Bob - looks like it had no cat then, which is probably good news. If we went ahead, the clutch sounds like something we could do ourselves, but also there's no record of when the timing belt was last changed. I lost my 240 saloon to a timing belt so would want that done, and reckon it'd be beyond us.

Currently wondering if it's worth a 200-mile round trip to see an older 2.3 GLE with half the miles but twice the price. There's alot to be said for keeping some money back for when things go wrong, which'll happen whichever car we buy.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Chris152

Thanks Bob - looks like it had no cat then, which is probably good news. If we went ahead, the clutch sounds like something we could do ourselves, but also there's no record of when the timing belt was last changed. I lost my 240 saloon to a timing belt so would want that done, and reckon it'd be beyond us.

Currently wondering if it's worth a 200-mile round trip to see an older 2.3 GLE with half the miles but twice the price. There's alot to be said for keeping some money back for when things go wrong, which'll happen whichever car we buy.

If you can do a clutch, you can do a timing belt. Out of the two, the timing belt is much quicker, allow an hour taking it easy! Follow the instructions in a Haynes Owners Workshop Manual (NOT the "Service & Repair" manual, they're useless!), work methodically, follow the tensioning procedure correctly and don't forget to retension after 600 miles and you shouldn't have a problem.

As for the 2.3GLE, yes, definitely worth the trip! You could potentially haggle the price down but it's better to start with a better car in the first place. Make a day out of it, maybe take your other half along, find somewhere nearby she would like to visit, drop her off while you and your lad go and view the car.
If your wife can drive, you could potentially bring the car home the same day if you like it, she drives your car back, you get temporary cover for the new purchase........ you see where i'm going with this, you could arrange to meet your wife for a late lunch if the viewing is in the morning and she's done whatever she wants to do in the nearby place.

Just a couple of suggestions that could make it a family thing while still pleasing most (perhaps all) of your family and maybe even save you a return journey to collect the car.

[Bob Meadows]

I would also agree with the comments from Dave: ~ the timing belt is very straight forward- so is the water pump, once again just be methodical and you should find the task straight forward.
After I purchased my car my cousin liked it so much that he wanted one- couldn’t find the estate version so purchased a saloon via ebay in Merthyr Tydfil (now that was a drive from Lancashire) some weeks later we found the estate in the midlands! So another longish day to view, then back the next week to collect—both cars retrieved on an “A” frame. If the boxes are being ticked then I would view it (my car came from Bristol) sometimes you have to travel a bit to get the right car—this can also work to your advantage when some say “ a bit too far to travel” and dismiss it on that basis. Regarding the car viewed did you have a good inspection of the boot floor and particularly the underside of the rear bumpers—hidden away and difficult to see on some cars but worth getting on the floor to inspect as best you can.
Bob.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

So another longish day to view, then back the next week to collect—both cars retrieved on an “A” frame.
Bob.

Using an "A" frame to tow your newly purchased beast is not advisable if it's either automatic or has an overdrive manual box. The only way round it is to remove the proshaft before towing.