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?
>
>
> Any opinons? Which should go?
>

The XC is probably going to be the most costly of the three to keep
going. That vintage of Volvo all wheel drive cars, IMO, isn't nearly as
trouble free as the well sorted '93 940 or the Grand Marquis. The Grand
Marquis in Crown Victoria taxi form goes many hundreds of thousands of
brutal miles.

Is the 940 a wagon? If not, that might tilt the scales towards keeping
the V70 simply because there are times when a station wagon is very,
very handy to have. Our oldest car is a '93 240 wagon, and it does some
kind of hauling duty at least a few times per month. Most recently it
brought home the panels with which I will make a new set of iron
railings for the front steps and the Ikea desk which will soon be
serving as homework central.

John Horner wrote:
> 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?
>>
>>
>> Any opinons? Which should go?
>>
>
> The XC is probably going to be the most costly of the three to keep
> going. That vintage of Volvo all wheel drive cars, IMO, isn't nearly as
> trouble free as the well sorted '93 940 or the Grand Marquis. The Grand
> Marquis in Crown Victoria taxi form goes many hundreds of thousands of
> brutal miles.
>
> Is the 940 a wagon? If not, that might tilt the scales towards keeping
> the V70 simply because there are times when a station wagon is very,
> very handy to have. Our oldest car is a '93 240 wagon, and it does some
> kind of hauling duty at least a few times per month. Most recently it
> brought home the panels with which I will make a new set of iron
> railings for the front steps and the Ikea desk which will soon be
> serving as homework central.

I havn't much experience of the XC but 850 / V70s in the UK have not
lasted anywhere near aswell as 940s.

940s are solid inside and out, after 10 years they can still look new
(bar accident damage and fashion). They are galvanised and will not
rust (mostly). And still after abusive owners. This is the last well
(over?) engineered Volvo. This is what people need.

850s, on the other hand, look the same as Fords do after 5 years, paint
is faded they have started to rust and bits are breaking off the inside,
winder mechanisms breaking, major engine faults, suspension gets tired
very quickly. Only cars cared for and used with kid gloves really last
well. This is what people want and is more profitable for car makers.

Volvo having built up a name for reliability is now supplying cars the
same as everyone else and divesting the brand, with a much lower
intended lifetime. Although they are more refined, quieter and lighter.

--
Tony