Robert wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Here's the deal. I currently have a 1998 V70 XC and a 1993 940 (non-
> turbo). I was offered by a wealthy relative a custom-built 1996
> Mercury Grand Marquis Bayshore with not even 65,000 miles, all for
> free, provided I pay the simple registration charge (about $50 here in
> MD). But I can only keep two cars, it isn't economically possible for
> me to have more than that. But which should I get rid of?
>
> The Mercury I love, and so far for my uncle it's been extremely
> reliable. It has a 5.0 litre Lincoln engine and any bells and whistles
> you could imagine, plus a full air suspension to boot. It also is
> probably the most roomy of the three with it's huge size...probably
> its main downfall. Here in suburban Maryland I'm just afraid its too
> big for most of the parking spots. I'm very comfortable driving it,
> etc, and I don't mind parking in the back of a lot, but I'm just not
> sure.
>
> The 1998 V70 would probably make the most sense economically to get
> rid of, just this year alone I've spent about $1200 in repairs.
> However, the only reason I've kept it this long is because it's a very
> nice car for long drives and vacations, with it's wagon/SUV body style
> and comfortable seats. However, it does also have the worst gas
> mileage of the three.
>
> The 1993 940 would probably be my first choice to get rid of, but my
> wife loves it. It has 137,000 miles on it and hasn't needed any major
> repairs since she was hit almost ten years ago. But I'm just not sure
> about how reliable it will be in the future. I've heard that the
> powertrain/engine/transmission is virtually bulletproof, but that's no
> guarentee for the next five years...
>
> Any opinons? Which should go?
>


Well keep in mind you're asking a Volvo group, but I would keep the 940
over all other choices personally, no question about it. 137K is low
mileage, those motors are well known to go 300 or 400K. It's old enough
that parts are cheap and easy to come by so it can be kept on the road
very cheaply. Accidents aside, I would put money on the 940 outlasting
the Mercury, likely by quite a wide margin.

Next choice would be the V70, good solid car, not quite as bulletproof
or as easy to work on as the 940 but not bad either and again should be
good for 250-300K with decent maintenance. Big, roomy, safe, yet nimble.
Should have good resale value, even 10 years from now.

As for the Mercury, yuck, huge clunky inneficient 1950s tech pushrod V8,
big lumbering grandpa car, pathetic resale value once it hits about 100K
miles, I'd be shocked if it's still on the road by 200K. All those bells
& whistles are a whole lot of things to go wrong. I swore off domestic
cars years ago though I still get suckered into working on one once in a
while, no thanks.