Just when I thought I understood...

[lloyd3]

We have an old Volvo here that my wife really likes. A 2004 Volvo S60 that we got from an elderly couple who had ordered it new (special red paint, 5-speed, non-turbo, 2wd). Its 21-years old but it has been well-cared for (& mostly garaged). The creamy-tan leather interior is very nice and absolutely everything works, except for the slave cylinder in the hydraulic clutch now. The cost to repair it well exceeds the market value of the car (~$4,500) in that the engine must come out of the car, and while it's out...you really should do a number of things, expensive things.

It's "Swedish", it's got 165k miles on it, it's odd (sideways 5-cylinder) and I'm ready to say goodbye but...not my wife. Old Volvos are not easily serviced here anymore, parts are hard to get and are ridiculously expensive, and further, almost nobody knows anything about them (including me).  We didn't pay much for it, we've had it for 8-10 years, so I'm ready to move-on, but not my bride.  She "likes" it, always wanted one when they were new, enjoys driving the stick, and won't let me buy another Civic to replace it.

And I thought guys who liked old Dodges were a little strange?

[Kern Dog]

It will be easy for us to give opinions on this because we don't have to live with the consequences, but.....
What do you figure you'd have to pay to get another vehicle that you like as much that doesn't also need maintenance?
That is a convoluted way to ask...do you want the frying pan or the fire?
I hate to spend money to fix something but oddly, don't mind as much spending the same money to upgrade.
What can you get for under $8000 that won't need some other type of future expense?
Some dudes live by the happy wife, happy life mentality but to that, I always shake my head. A marriage should not be one side always caving in to the other.
For me, I'd tend to want to fix what I have. If the wife is supportive of it, that helps.

[70 sublime]

If the repair or not repair kills the cars future I would try to figure out where the bad part is and cut a big hole in the floor to change it out before pulling the engine just to get at it
My sister has an older Volvo also and are the type that need everything to be perfect on their car but complain at the cost every time to fix something
And the older it gets more will need fixing ( so my sister is finding out )
Sooner or later you will have to cross the bridge fix it one more time or has the time really come to find a new ride

[John_Kunkel]

Here's a Volvo that I'd love to have...I've fantasy built it many times in my mind.

[Mike DC]

         
 

Lay out the data to your wife in a neutral way.  Let her make the decision and own it.  The costs of this repair, what other stuff you wanna do while the engine is out, how far that money would go to buy another car, etc.   

I assume she already knows what your vote is. 
And I assume she's not too terrible with money in general.   

[lloyd3]

The car in question.

Mike DC:  Yeah...she's pretty good with money. 

Her car is now sitting at a Volvo specific garage in South Denver, getting the deep analysis before they start anything (which is good IMHO). If nothing else crops up of a serious nature, we'll fix it for her.  Replacement econoboxes aren't very cheap anymore (~$8k now) and we know this cars history.  And, of course...she likes it.

[426HemiChick]

Hi lloyd3,                 01 September 2025

The answer is right in your post:

"She likes" it, always wanted one when they were new, enjoys driving the stick, and won't let me buy another Civic to replace it.

Think of all she has done for you. It's a No-Brainer !!!

HC

[Kern Dog]

Hi lloyd3,                 01 September 2025

The answer is right in your post:

"She likes" it, always wanted one when they were new, enjoys driving the stick, and won't let me buy another Civic to replace it.

Think of all she has done for you. It's a No-Brainer !!!

HC

You are correct, SIR.

[Mike DC]

 
Hey John K,

I cannot remember ever hearing a Mopar guy show interest in a vintage Volvo wagon before.  What's the scoop on this thing? 

[426HemiChick]

Hey John K,

I cannot remember ever hearing a Mopar guy show interest in a vintage Volvo wagon before.  What's the scoop on this thing? 

Hi Mike DC,              02 September 2025

Kind of reminds me of a comment my brother-in-law made after getting married:

"It's cheaper and easier to learn to like burnt food than it is to get a Divorce !!!"

HC

[Kern Dog]

I agree with that too, SIR.   

[John_Kunkel]

Hey John K,

I cannot remember ever hearing a Mopar guy show interest in a vintage Volvo wagon before.  What's the scoop on this thing? 

My taste is eclectic,not only for Mopars. I'm especially fond of 2-door wagons.