I have come across a 1989 780 Bertone Turbo+ in my local classifieds. It has 250,000 miles, but had the drivetrain replaced around 50,000 miles ago. The vehicle needs new front speakers. The universal joints on the rear axle are worn out and need to be replaced. There is a little rust that I would need to sand off, prime, and touch up. The drivers seat is pretty worn out. I have worked the seller down to $500, but he will go no lower. He has several people who will pay him a combined $700 to part it out, but he would rather see the vehicle sold whole. All electronics are functioning properly. The A/C needs a charge, but can't get one due to EPA regulations. The seller therefore snipped off the belt to the A/C compressor to conserve power. The tires and brakes are in good shape and the car drives very well. The car's ABS module is broken and will need replacement. Until this is done, the speedometer and odometer don't work. I see a used ABS module one for $70 onlines or I could go to the place that rebuilt the module on my 1999 V70. The headliner is sagging. Some of the clear coat has come off the hood.

I'd really appeciate some input. How durable are these cars? Could I get another 100,000 out of it? I know that the 240's will go forever (our's went to 400,000), but I have no clue about the 780's. I don't want to put $1000+ into the car and then have it fall apart!

Here are some pictures:
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/926/abe51qe1.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2766/ae731vx6.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/245/b7371qi9.jpg
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5232/bae51ze3.jpg
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1330/c3c41zn9.jpg
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1422/c8921ru0.jpg
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3557/bf971gb2.jpg

:cat: Hi there marshcat.

I don't want to put $1000+ into the car and then have it fall apart!

Irrespective of all the advice you receive, bilaterally good and bad-if you don't want to do the above-don't buy into the situation beyond here.

Cheers

I know most of us would love to have a Bertone. As much as I hate to say it I think you should pass this one up, UNLESS you just have to have one and are willing to bring it back to past glory. Saw some things you didn't mention that would also increase rehab cost, including paint, body work and some minor interior issues, besides the seat.

:blush: Noticed those pictures were dated 4 years ago...Has the car been in storage since then..?? Agree with the other replies, its going to cost you more than you anticipate, they always do......
The age and miles alone would certainly bring forth a lot more things the vehicle would need to make it a safe one to operate....
If you were planning a complete restore and had the money to do it, then by all means go for it....
All this is just my humble opinion...Good luck what ever you decide...

Regarding the camera: The seller had put new batteries in the camera but didn't bother to reset the time. Pictures are current.

I am NOT planning a full restore. I am going to have a shop replace the U-joint for $100. I am going to put in an ABS module, replace the speakers, and put on some seat covers. I will also sand down and paint the car myself.

I am not going for showroom condition. I'm sixteen years old and looking for a fun project car to learn on and drive.

That said...do you still think it is a bad buy?

Your last question., To put very bluntly (especially that your just 16 yrs of age) again in my opinion., NO....(Am not degrading your age, just know your probably still in school and possible this is your first car..??)
Volvo's are a expensive car to maintain and really expensive to have work done on them...One that your looking at, I can promise , you will keep pouring a lot more money into it just to keep running..So many things can go wrong thats going to either force you to park the car, or go into debt beyond your wildest dreams..

If you were a Volvo Technician with years of experence then maybe it could be a fun car to have and could repair yourself....This is not even counting the cost of tools that will be needed....
I'am not trying to burst your bubble, but I do believe you can find something else not quite as complicated nor expensive as a Volvo to buy and much cheaper and easier to work on...Again, Good luck and keep us posted what you decide...

^^^^^^I am still in school and this will be my first vehicle. My life is very busy with work. I just got my SAT's back (2330!) and I now have to start studying for AP's. My summers ARE a full 3.5 months and I like to have a project. I also get the month of March off. I'm sixteen years old and looking for a fun project car to learn on and drive.

1. It's the only type of car from the 80's or early 90's that is safe enough. Other foreign or domestic makes did not become as safe until fairly recently. (last 10 years.) Because they are newer, these cars cost more than I can afford. For this reason, my parents will not allow me to register and drive...say...a 1990 Pontiac Bonneville.

2. I have significant experience working on Volvo's. I have done quite a bit on our 1999 V70. My grandfather's has performed nearly every possible repair on his 1989 740 and 1990 240 and has passed much of that knowledge to me.

If I don't buy this one, I'll just keep looking for another late 80's/early 90's Volvo.

I am starting to lean away from this vehicle. I had actually lined up a deal for a perfect condition red 1990 740 Turbo Wagon for $700. Someone ended up buying it for $900 behind my back.

The Bertone is a magnificent car. It would get maybe 15 miles a week from Sept to May and probably 100 miles a week June to August if I bought it. Low milage typically means fewer maintenance costs.

Just the body parts from this car are worth more than $500. The rear taillights go for $250 used. In fact, the seller has offers for parts that total $700; if I do not purchase the car it will definitely be parted out. I don't want to see such a magnificent vehicle lost to the world.

My local dealer is very nice and relatively inexpensive. Before I put any significant money into the car, I would have them take a look. If anything were truly wrong, I would sell the car/part it and get my money back. Additionally, the car is its current owner's daily driver. (if that means anything)

I believe you've convinced yourself that this is the car for you., apparently from what I've read above you can do a lot of the maintenance yourself and have a grandfather whom you could rely on for his expertise...Plus you say the local Volvo dealer is not a crook like I read so many are.....
Its also true that Volvos are known for there safety....As said previously, Go for it and the best of luck....

At 16 I was happy with the crappy camaro I bought for $3000.00 and put another $3000.00 for a car that was worth $2000.00. Go for it. Have fun with it. In as far as the expensive part of the equation, keep it and run it. Concourse restorations are for later on. Just drive man. And a 2330 on his SAT. Dude, rock on. JKS2 was on the money with his observations, but his thinking, like mine, are ones of keeping it running longer. Have fun. Oh, one more thing, if you can, please paint it REALLY BLOODY STINKING RED. AND MAKE IT A CONVERTIBLE, IF DRIVES JKS2 CARZY. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, sorry, too much caffeine.

Yes. You do want to drive me carzy? No its Greeks spelling that drives me CRAZY. :grin: :harhar:

sure, blame the longhaired guy. it's a new york thing, car crazy carzy. logical bro. :bwekk:

Yeah... I mean it's $500 bux. I could get back that much in parts.

On the bad side...the seller hasn't answered an email in 24 hours and I know other people were looking at it. I bet he sold it! :(

I'll have hope though. I'm trying to arrange for him to deliver it this Saturday.

Yeah, I'm going to repaint it...maybe red or maybe blue.

I'm 17 and have only drove my Volvo. It is very expensive to maintain. For instance, a heater hose that needed to be replaced ended up costing about $300. And no, I didn't get ripped off. It's been going to the same mechanic for the past 7 years, he knows it well and has excellent prices. It's there right now actually getting a new master cylinder ($200 with labor) plus a complete brake job all the way around. Grand total this time will be $500+. I'd estimate I've spent ~$2,000 since I've been driving it. Not because it's crappy but because it's 20 years old with 200,000 miles!

^^^I can replace the master cylinder and I can do full brakes (pads+calipers+rotors). Most repairs worth doing I can do.

I am paying the guy $500 for the car. I am giving him another $50 to borrow his friend's truck and trailer and bring the car an hour and a half to my house.

Considering how little mileage the car will get, I'm not too worried. I won't be driving it to school. It will be for recreation.

I'm going to grind off the rust, sand the car, prime it, and repaint it an ocean blue!

I worked over the last two summers and I earned about $10,000, of which $6000 still remains. I had to spend $3000 on school, and I used the other $1000 to buy a lawn tractor and a TV.

I've budgeted myself around $1000 for this car. $500 spent for the vehicle. My mom was going to drive the guy home, but she backed out. Therefore, she opted to pay the $50 for delivery. So I have $500 left.

Here's how I have it set out:

Universal Joint $100-$125 at a garage. $20 if I do it myself (unlikely)
(1) Seat cover $30
Sony X-plod system $80
ABS Module $90
Paint+Supplies $60
$20 for various fluids.

The car has been regularly maintained. It is schedule to have the transmission and differential fluids replaced in 5K miles. It won't hit 5K more miles for a long time!

I will be the car's third owner. Its first owner had it up till 230,000 miles. It now has 254,000. It was impeccably maintained by the first owner.The second owner bought it as a temp car before he joined the army full time. He leaves in 6 days, but has been trying to sell the car for a month, initially at $1000.

There isn't much interest in old Volvos in my neck of the woods.

Did you get it?

Nope :(

With my horrible schedule, negotiating pickup was a nightmare.

He was going to deliver it, but there were tons of communication issues. The car is now sitting in his driveway. He owner is at boot camp.

I'm still looking for a car, and I'll send the seller an email if I haven't bought another before he returns. (10 week camp I think)