sxnahm@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Nahm) (04/06/84)
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I took my '75 Valiant (137,000 miles) into a local Plymouth
dealer. Oil had backed out of the dipstick and sprayed all over
the engine. The mechanic said he thought the engine would need
to be overhauled, price: $1000 to $1500.
I had hoped to keep the car running another year, then buy
that Volvo I've had my heart set on. But the body is not in
great shape, and it has other complaints (mushy suspension, leaky
power steering). The mechanic didn't think it was worth
repairing.
Two questions (maybe three): First, would anyone advise me to
repair the car? $1500 is still alot cheaper than $13000, and the
car is generally okay (the rear seat cusions look like new :-).
Second, I would get a Volvo sedan now, but I would hope to keep
the car a long time, and I'm sure I'd have occasion to use the
room of a wagon (camping, moving, maybe kids someday). How bad
is it to drive around a wagon when you usually only need a sedan?
Third, could a kind soul tell me the mechanics of buying a
new car? I've read the Consumer Reports' car issue. When I buy
a car, I want it to be in perfect shape. Can I withhold final
payment for a car until I perform an acceptance inspection and
test-drive?
I'll post anything I get which is of general interest.
--
Steve Nahm
sxnahm@bbn-unix (ARPA)
{decvax,ima,linus,wjh12}!bbncca!sxnahm (Usenet)