Fungi Forums
Miscellaneous => General Chat => Topic started by: Screech on October 06, 2006, 06:08:56 PM
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I finally got a car. I am the proud owner of a used Ford Taurus.
I was wondering, what kind of car, or truck, or whatever, do you guys drive?
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A fabulous 1994 Nissan Pathfinder. Complete with moon roof and 50% of a fully functional AM/FM radio music system.
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While not mine, my mothers, I usually drive a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The only time I drive something else is when my father sends me out to do something, and then I drive his Chrysler convertable which I think is older than I am.
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Nobody can beat the Town and Country! (Yeah, it isn't mine.)
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'97 Chevy Cavalier. Wooooooo.
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Own: 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid: http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocmetro_2003/metro101603/images/bfCivicHybrid85ext.gif
Selling: 2000 Ford Mustang Convertable: http://www.tradeexpress.com/details.aspx?adid=18968154
Buying: 2006 or 2007 Scion xA: http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/06.most.fuel.efficient/06.scion.xa.f34.500.jpg
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1995 Dodge Neon Sport Coupe.
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1996 Volvo 850!
Not only does it perform well, it's also one of the safest on the road. If I drove anything else and had friends with me I'd panic about their safety big time but with side air bags and some claiming nobody's ever died in an 850 I can rest at ease.
I also love the heated seats in the car.
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It's technically not mine yet, but I drive a white 1998 Chevy Malibu.
Sometimes I also drive my mom's van, a pine green 2000 Chrysler Town and Country. I much prefer driving the Malibu.
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Well I don't technically own a car, I do drive my family car occasionally, which is a 1997 Ford Escort, and once I drove my dads 2002 4x4 Ford F-150 super crew. Boy I’m tempted on buying my own Ford F150 4x4, wow are they nice. They are so smooth on the road, lots of room for my tall stature. Yes, their is just something big and manly driving a big 4x4 truck.
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I recently graduated from a 1984 Oldsmobile 88 to a 1999 Oldsmobile 88. w00t!
Because of this, TEM is currently winning the LD Oldest Car Competition!
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Why would you panic bigtime about any other car? That's ... illogical.
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Nice upgrade there...did you get the LSS model of the 88? I remember when the LSS came out, they had one at the auto show and I'm like "hey, this car is pretty sweet". And I'm normally a European car kind of guy.
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I drive my invisible car. Just joking, I can't afford a car right now, but what I want is either a used 80's/90's volvo, or a VW Van, or bus.
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Not mine yet, but I've been driving an '05 green Ford Focus for awhile. My father once said he'd give me it and move on to another Jeep or get a Mustang (He owned one back in the 70s). He's one who breaks promises 90% of the time, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if he sold it/gave it to another family member before I meet his "qualifications" of owning it.
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SuperstarMasiah, you should definitely get a Volvo. They're reliable, safe, and drive nice!
If you're looking at a 90's model, get the 850 (the kind I have). Any of them made from 1995 (I think) on have side curtain air bags. Also they're front drive, the others (240, 740/760/780, 940/960) are all rear. But they're all good too.
All of these models hold up well, just make sure you keep up on the maintence to avoid costly repairs. I hear a blown timing belt on an 850 causes the engine to go bad and the repair is about $4K. I'd rather pay $300 or so for a timing belt before it goes (I might get a new one installed within the next month, my car has 62K and they recommend replacement around 70K).
Also, if you live in a warm area, watch the A/C on the 850s. The original units tend to go. Not sure if the other Volvos have this problem. Mine currently has no A/C, but I live in PA so it's no big deal unless it's July or August, in which case I just pop the windows. My car does have heated seats though.
As with any car check your tires when you buy it. Not just for wear and tear, but also for performance tires. I've heard Volvos are at their best only with performance tires. My car came with Michelin MXV4+ when it was new in 1996 and got another set of these tires about five years ago. This week it's getting its third set of MXV4+. The tires aren't cheap but do go on sale now and then. Also good is the Michelin Pilot but they cost more and the upgrade isn't too significant.
Price-wise, a 1996 850 without the turbocharger (the one I have) is worth about $5K. A 1995 would probably be less. You could look at a 1993-1994 but you wouldn't get the side curtain airbags. I know a 940/960 is usually a bit more; they were at the start as well. Your best bet for cost would be a 240 or 740/760/780--a used 240 for under $1000 isn't out of the question but I'd check a car that cheap pretty closely. They made 240s up through 1993.
A few other pointers: On most 80s-90s Volvos you can tell the engine type by the middle number. If fuel economy is important and you are torn between a 740 and a 760, the 740 has the four cylinder. However, the six is more powerful in those cars, especially the station wagons. The 900 series works the same way with the 940 and 960 (the 900 series is basically the second generation 700 series). The 240s all have four cylinders, and the 850 has an inline five.
The 780 violates that rule. It has a six cylinder and not an eight. I think they just did that to designate the two door variety.
The cars were renamed midway through 1997 (and revised slightly). If you see a Volvo S70 or V70, it's an 850 sedan or wagon, respectively (but slightly revamped). The 960 became the S90 and V90. Also the C70 (original) was based on the 850/S70 platform. These were the last cars made before Ford took over Volvo.
Another recent model you could consider is the S40/V40 (the old model of this was the 400 series over in Europe but it wasn't imported for the USA until 1999, if I recall). It's small, is really easy to parallel park, and might be able to be obtained for a good deal (I'm not too sure on the going prices of this one). I got to drive one earlier this year, a 2000 model, and thought it handled really nicely. I loved it so much I'm thinking of buying the new generation of it when I someday get a new car (although my 850 will probably last me at least another ten years).
If you choose to go the VW Van/Bus route, be aware there are the microbus, the Vanagon, and the EuroVan. They were made in that order. My only concern would be parts and also safety. I did see an old microbus (circa 1970) with seatbelts and a car seat installed at the mall though. With the old Microbus you'd likely have to restore it or get a restored one. That would be a bit much. Vanagons and EuroVans aren't too common around here, perhaps in your area they are. My mom used to have a 1997 Plymouth Voyager, it was a nice van--although it was obvious it was American in the way it drove and rode (if you're a Euro car guy you can tell the difference although it isn't always clear on some Acuras and Lexuses--I've spent a lot of time with an older Acura Legend and it feels European to me).
Sorry for the length of this, but I love cars!
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Wow, you sure do know a lot about vehicles. Thanks for the info.
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'95 Chevy Cavalier.
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Well, I personally don't drive, but my dad has a 1922 Mercedes Crapola and the family car is a poop-green Subaru Soccer-Mom wagon.
Some day I hope to get a custom platinum-colored DeLorian with racing-style bumpers, gold rims, a giant spolier, and nitrous. Of course, I'll probably end up with a 1973 Ford Pacemaker.