Who says owning an old Volvo is expensive?

[capt jack]

Over the past week driving the S90 I’d noticed some brake judder under heavier braking. The front discs and pads are only 6 months old so I reckoned they’d be ok. A look at the rears revealed pads with perhaps 3-4mm left. Not completely worn out at all, but there was also a bit of brake squeal from the rears so first thought was to remove them, clean everything up, and put it all back. A quick check with GSF and I found a set of pads for £16. I was amazed at how easy the job is. Two bolts on each calliper and that’s about it. No pins, and the springs are integral with the pads. Twenty minutes a side, job done, no more squeal, and no more judder. All for £16 and 40 minutes simple DIY work. How many modern cars would be so easy and inexpensive I wonder?

Jack

[atco]

and cheep insurance as well.thro classic

[aardvarkash10]

Owning any car is expensive, and its even more-so per kilometre travelled for old cars. There is no point trying to justify it on the basis of the price of a set of brakepads, although the example is real.

Older cars are less efficient, more prone to breakdown, harder to source parts for, less safe, and harder on the environment.

Its a good thing they are still fun, exciting and totally absorbing to own and operate.

[capt jack]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Owning any car is expensive, and its even more-so per kilometre travelled for old cars. There is no point trying to justify it on the basis of the price of a set of brakepads, although the example is real.

Older cars are less efficient, more prone to breakdown, harder to source parts for, less safe, and harder on the environment.

Its a good thing they are still fun, exciting and totally absorbing to own and operate.

I beg to differ a bit! My previous Volvo was a V70, 1997 vintage, which I owned from 2005 until 2013, and took the mileage from 50,000 to 295,000. I had the car converted to LPG, and did most of the servicing myself. I used the car for work, and so was able to charge the company for business mileage. I once calculated that over the nine years of my ownership, taking into account every single expenditure on the car, fuel, service, the real depreciation, insurances, tyres, repairs, road tax etc, because I could claim the mileage allowances I actually made a profit. I think in the 245,000 miles I drove in the car I had to call for assistance maybe once or twice. The biggest single repair bill was £600 at 220,000 miles for a rear crank seal. After I sold the car it stayed on the road for a few more years and reached over 330,000 miles.

Because the car ran on LPG the oil stayed much cleaner, the PCV never blocked up, and the emissions were very much lower than any equivalent petrol or diesel fuelled car.

The one big regret I have with that car is that I sold it. I wish I'd kept it. If I had, by now it would be nudging 400,000 miles up - and I firmly believe, still going strong.

Cheers

Jack

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Owning any car is expensive, and its even more-so per kilometre travelled for old cars. There is no point trying to justify it on the basis of the price of a set of brakepads, although the example is real.

Older cars are less efficient, more prone to breakdown, harder to source parts for, less safe, and harder on the environment.

Its a good thing they are still fun, exciting and totally absorbing to own and operate.

Total hogwash.

I bought my 940 LPT in 2014 for £550 with 85k miles. I put on 40k in 3 years and the only things I HAD to do was fit a new battery, replace the pads/discs and fit a new back exhaust box.
I have friends with modern eco euroboxes that have shelled out a lot more for more serious issues with less mileage engines.
My current 960 cost £500 and I’ve already put on 10k miles in 6 months. Necessary work? Fitting a few rad, which took all of 20 minutes.

Yes the mpg isn’t great, but I’d rather collect shell points by filling up more often than resigning myself to a modern car with a life span of 7 years or 70k miles before its shagged.

Cheers

[aardvarkash10]

Isn't it good that we all have different stories. Congratulations on your exceptions.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Isn't it good that we all have different stories. Congratulations on your exceptions.

I think you'll find these "exceptions" are quite the norm here.

Cheers

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Isn't it good that we all have different stories. Congratulations on your exceptions.

Wouldn't call it an exception, the only thing I can agree with is that modern cars use less fuel.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Wouldn't call it an exception, the only thing I can agree with is that modern cars use less fuel.

Yes, but it's all about smiles per gallon, not mpg

Cheers

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Owning any car is expensive, and its even more-so per kilometre travelled for old cars. There is no point trying to justify it on the basis of the price of a set of brakepads, although the example is real.

Older cars are less efficient, more prone to breakdown, harder to source parts for, less safe, and harder on the environment.

Its a good thing they are still fun, exciting and totally absorbing to own and operate.

I'm sorry but I largely agree with you.

Yes owning any car is expensive. When my uncle borrowed to buy his first car the bank manager told him. Mr Morse if you buy a car you will always be putting your hands in your pocket. SIMPLES.

Well yes the price of one component, brakepads, is a small part of the jigsaw.

On the other hand. Newer cars will from about next week have a compulsory sticker on the engine bay, "no user serviceable parts inside". How much are repairs then? And already, possibly the biggest motoring cost depending on mileage is depreciation. Newer cars once taken delivery have their value plummet by the second. EEK. And when the newer car is part of the heap of shredded scrap in the dock just across the road from me, my car has a good chance that it will be in use and have increased in value. Cushti.

By the way sourcing parts promptly yes, and by the way diagnosing faults, is a problem for the 240 and probably for the 700/900. So I don't recommend that anyone rely, really rely, on such a car now. Unless you want three buses and a rickshaw to get to work when the car needs a new fuel pump.

Shall I hide behind the sofa?

.