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For those of you that have been following along with my life, things are going well and I appreciate all the advice from here. More on that soon, but for now I will say that I've not been doing much with cars lately and instead I've been focusing a lot of time on straightening out my life. I think I finally figured out the "NO button" for not accepting new projects. Well, until I found this...  '81 Volvo 240 DL (sedan) with only 15,450 miles. It is truly a museum quality piece of art that has never lived out-doors. It was bought new in 1981 locally and driven for one year before the owner died. It has been in a heated garage since that very day. Everything is 100% perfect and original. Not a single ding, chip, or spot of discoloration. It even has the original tires. It's equipped with optional A/C and an automatic transmission. I've only driven it about 20 miles back to my garage, and I must say... what an experience! The suspension is firm and the ride is oh so quiet like that of a new car. Strange feeling in an old brick! I get the sensation of how it must have felt to buy this car new from the showroom other than the fact that I picked it up off craigslist for $2,000 today. I'd imagine that it's worth between $6-8k on ebay. The moral of this story is; start using an RSS reader (I swear by Google Reader) with scripts based upon custom made car searches on craigslist. You'll never miss out on the once in a life time opportunity to find the dream car you've been searching for. It works for me time after time and I have such an awesome fleet of my favorite cars at this point. 1) go to reader.google.com and learn how it works 2) learn the ways of craigslist 3) use searchtempest. You can create searches and then export the results as an RSS script. Upload the RSS script to google reader and then it does the searching for you. So far, I bought a WRX wagon for $800... a clean CRX HF for $500... various awesome volvos... and my beloved Mercedes 240D with a 4-speed. You are losing out of you don't take the 2 hours to set this poo poo up. toaster_pastry fucked around with this message at Nov 06, 2009 around 06:03 |
| # ? Nov 06, 2009 05:52 |
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| # ? Nov 22, 2009 00:39 |
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This is ridiculous. That looks amazing.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 05:59 |
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I've been trying to use Google Reader with craigslist and I have found it kind of sucks. It's slow to update (ads don't show up for hours) and old ads seem to show up as new. Looking for a better alternative, although it seems like not many people make RSS readers nowadays. So far it's the best I can find but there has got to be something better. Anyway, nice find.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:03 |
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ozziegt posted:I've been trying to use Google Reader with craigslist and I have found it kind of sucks. It's slow to update (ads don't show up for hours) I think that's an issue with the latency that CL updates its feeds. It's true that you might be going up against other people who are manually trolling CL, but for most cases, you should have the jump on other buyers.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:07 |
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ozziegt posted:I've been trying to use Google Reader with craigslist and I have found it kind of sucks. It's slow to update (ads don't show up for hours) and old ads seem to show up as new. Looking for a better alternative, although it seems like not many people make RSS readers nowadays. So far it's the best I can find but there has got to be something better. It's not instant (largely related to craigslist), but it's fantastic. If you're having trouble, I'd imagine that you're doing it wrong. I have hundreds of custom searches created all over the country and they each operate flawlessly. I found my Mercedes 240D the day it was posted over 2,000 miles from where I live. There is just no way this could happen prior to my search scripts.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:09 |
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Nice purchase man, it looks pretty sparkling. MrSaturn fucked around with this message at Nov 06, 2009 around 06:23 |
| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:10 |
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I doubt I am doing it wrong as I have actually written RSS reader software before. It will eventually show what you are looking for but it's buggy. If you don't need a web based solution there are definitely good client solutions available.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:24 |
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That is one painfully gorgeous Volvo. I'd be afraid to actually drive it, it's so pristine. I've never really had any problems with Google Reader, unlike Bloglines, which seems to have all manner of issues remembering read/unread status or even loading RSS entries.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:50 |
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I'm glad I'm not into 240's, lest my jealousy get the best of me. If that were a 122 I'd murder you for it. Let's see some more pics out in the daylight! And yeah, you should be able to at least double your money if not triple it. The only problem I see with your plan is that it may take you a while to find a buyer, because 240 guys are cheap SOB's. Like if you post that on turbobricks you'll get 90 posts saying "oh man if I had the cash right now..." and 10 saying the price is too high. Hehe. Good luck with the sale.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 06:59 |
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Two thousand dollars. Two thousand dollars. Two thousand dollars. That is absolutely incredible, I'm impressed.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 07:15 |
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This car is the very definition of "owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church on Sunday" Props man. Massive props.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 09:29 |
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The Volvo appears to be in amazing shape for the price, but what really blows me away is a WRX for $800. What is wrong with it? What a deal.....
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 10:15 |
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Beautiful find. It's almost not even worth keeping; there are collectors that truly would pay some good money for that. Hell, completely restored Volvos through doctors and whatnot can go upwards of $7500. That's bone stock. Something like this is astounding.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 10:52 |
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BoostCreep posted:The Volvo appears to be in amazing shape for the price, but what really blows me away is a WRX for $800. What is wrong with it? What a deal..... WRX had very a light front end wreck with damage to the timing cover. It threw the timing belt and had some valve damage. it was a steal for $800 though
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 13:08 |
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You can't post that without interior/engine pics, come on man.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 13:11 |
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Can I come by and just, like, touch it? Holy poo poo, I'm jealous. That is just fantastic - enjoy the hell out of that - I gave up on keeping my 240 cosmetically nice long ago, it's just nice to see one that pretty. (Post more pictures)
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 13:38 |
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I would have paid $6k for that easily. Very nice find.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 14:14 |
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Please please please post more pictures immediately. That is absolutely gorgeous.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 15:38 |
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I'm planning to take it out this weekend for a photoshoot. I'd be stupid to not try throwing it on eBay with a crazy high reserve... I'll probably start the auction next week with an $8k reserve and see what happens. Honestly, I have no use for the car and I'd feel far too guilty to actually drive it. It belongs in a museum! toaster_pastry fucked around with this message at Nov 06, 2009 around 17:23 |
| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:19 |
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Automotive Insanity: All in all it's just another brick on the road. Wow, that car is so nice I wouldn't sell it to anyone less than a fanatic who names and labels his wrenches a-la James May. And at least a 6k profit? I guess the ad was correct. 
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:39 |
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It's a beauty (for a DL).  Hopefully, all the fluids and so forth aren't also original...
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:39 |
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toaster_pastry posted:It belongs in a museum!
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:45 |
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82Daion posted:Hopefully, all the fluids and so forth aren't also original... Exactly, aren't all the belts, hoses, gaskets, seals, etc. at the least potentially wasted on this car from sitting for 27 years? It's a great buy for $2K, and it looks fantastic, but I'd think it'll need some major attention to be driven again. That said, I'm all about stalking CL for good deals.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:49 |
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Lusso posted:Exactly, aren't all the belts, hoses, gaskets, seals, etc. at the least potentially wasted on this car from sitting for 27 years? Also a possibility. Sorry to be a downer, TP, but I'd at least make sure that anything rubber on this car isn't completely gone before putting it up on eBay at a blue-chip price. e: bad pun 82Daion fucked around with this message at Nov 06, 2009 around 17:59 |
| # ? Nov 06, 2009 17:53 |
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Sweet find, even if it has been sitting in a garage since Duran Duran's Rio album was released. I hope it was stored with a tank of gas so moisture did not rust the tank out. It doesn't matter since the body and interior are perfect, it'll likely go to a collector who will look at it while sipping champagne anyway. I found my cars with RSS feeds, it took longer than expected to find a non-rusty 300cd, I should have just bought a plane ticket to the south or California to buy one
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 18:09 |
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Great car, nice find. $2000 is obscene, you've robbed someone you fiend. Put an ad on the IPD classifieds as well, it's free and enthusiasts who would appreciate this vehicle frequent that location.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 19:30 |
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The fluids have been changed and fuel tank was dropped, cleaned, and new fuel lines were installed. The seller took it in to a dealer before offering it forsale. They also put in a new battery. I think the brakes could use a little attention as well as belts and hoses. Do these have timing belts or chains?
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 20:06 |
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Timing belts. Like a 10 dollar part and fix.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 20:09 |
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Xovaan posted:Timing belts. Like a 10 dollar part and fix. And about a half hour to just swap it, or add an hour to that and do all 3 front oil seals. Worth doing, about $20-$30 in parts and easy labor.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 20:30 |
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Shiiiiiiiit, that thing looks stellar! The RSS reader is interesting, the Craigslist search engines out there are really clunky to use.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 22:40 |
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A fantastic find, but be careful if you are going to use it like a normal daily driver. I've had friends who found 80s cars with low miles, and once they see regular action gaskets, bushings and hoses simply disintegrate.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 21:28 |
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evobatman posted:A fantastic find, but be careful if you are going to use it like a normal daily driver. I've had friends who found 80s cars with low miles, and once they see regular action gaskets, bushings and hoses simply disintegrate. Yes, most of the parts on a car are designed to move around and what not, when they are motionless for 20 years they tend to fall apart once they start moving again.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 21:50 |
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LloydDobler posted:And about a half hour to just swap it, or add an hour to that and do all 3 front oil seals. Worth doing, about $20-$30 in parts and easy labor. Are you serious? A half hour to change a timing belt? That is absolutely loving incredible.
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| # ? Nov 08, 2009 18:06 |
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Doctor Grape Ape posted:Are you serious? A half hour to change a timing belt? That is absolutely loving incredible. I have feeling its actually a bit more than that, you have to remove the fan, shroud, timing covers, pulleys, undo the tensioner and put it all back. Then I could do a DSM timing belt in 45 minutes WITH the balance belt, so its nor far fetched as Volvos are as complicated as a farm implement.
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| # ? Nov 08, 2009 18:08 |
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Baby Hitler posted:I have feeling its actually a bit more than that, you have to remove the fan, shroud, timing covers, pulleys, undo the tensioner and put it all back. You have a point, most of my experience is with the 9 series, and while it's the same belt configuration, there's no fan or shroud to remove and the accessory tensioners are a little easier to deal with. Definitely less than an hour though.
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| # ? Nov 09, 2009 07:23 |
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I finally got around to washing the car and taking it out for pictures. Christ, it's amazing that this car even has 15k miles on it. It looks as if it were still new. It wasn't even very dusty! I'd imagine there was a car cover on it in storage.         This car has the best seats and seat fabric of any car of all time.  if you're really crazy for volvos, there are about 148 pics on my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toaste...57622689975725/ I'm going to put the car on some volvo forums for sale this week. toaster_pastry fucked around with this message at Nov 17, 2009 around 06:27 |
| # ? Nov 17, 2009 06:18 |
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 that car looks gorgeous. Did you get a chance to check all the rubber hoses and stuff that you could to make sure it didn't get brittle in storage?
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| # ? Nov 17, 2009 06:57 |
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That's amazing. I absolutely love the interior.
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| # ? Nov 17, 2009 06:58 |
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all the rubber looks good, but the tires require replacement. They're a little square after sitting for nearly thirty years. The only thing I've not tried is the A/C. I'm worried about doing damage to the compressor by just flipping it on after sitting so long. I wonder if the seals are ok....
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| # ? Nov 17, 2009 07:02 |
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Flip it and keep scoring sweet deals for our entertainment 
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| # ? Nov 17, 2009 07:15 |
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