Saying Goodbye
It's in the title, so I guess that sums this entry up pretty well. I had a feeling it would be inevitable, but costs and repairs kept adding up, and I realized that I couldn't keep throwing money at the car to keep it running. While I was fortunate enough to have made a large sum of cash from my job over the summer, as well as having saved a lot over the years in anticipation of owning a classic car, I couldn't keep justifying my losses.
As it turned out, Tomasso lied about their repair to my brake valve, and I would have to get it replaced AGAIN, this time by a different mechanic specializing in brakes. Likewise, set me back even more money, and at that point I was at my last straw. I came to the painstaking realization that I was soon to be in over my head, and I needed a car that I couldn't keep throwing money at during school, since the start of classes was quickly approaching.
The final drive around the neighborhood
I listed the car on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for $5000 with room for flexibility. At first, I got a bunch of tire kickers asking me bizarre questions or questions that could only be answered by looking at the car. I now understand why some people put "Is this still available will be ignored" in their descriptions.
Finally, someone agreed to look at it, and he came down to check the car out. While he did like it, he ended up passing, as he had too many other automotive projects on his hands. So I waited patiently, dealing with more annoying Facebook messages about the AC or One more person came to check the car out, who lived rather close by in Providence.
Although we didn't know it at first, we had previously met when I went to check out a 2008 Saab 9-5 wagon he was selling back in Winter 2020, when I was looking for my own Saab. I ended up passing on that car, which you can read more about in Tales of Saab Madness.
Anyways, he was impressed with the car, but knew it would need work, so we began negotiating prices. Initially, he offered $4200, which I countered for $4500, but we ended up agreeing on $4300. Since I knew it was going to a a good home close by, I agreed. I also appreciated his kindness and communication during the process, which made it a lot easier for me to sell the car.
While it took a couple of days to sort all the paperwork and payments out, we sealed the deal over a last test drive and a realization that we had previously met back in 2020 when I check out his '08 9-5. The car was officially sold on August 30, 2023.
I really didn't want to part ways with my Volvo, but unfortunately, the costs began to out-justify ownership. If I didn't have to deal with the Tomasso brake valve issue, I don't know if I would've sold the car. I probably would've held onto it longer, but I truthfully can't exactly say what fate would've been in store for me and this car if I went that route.
While I was frustrated in the moment with the prices I was paying, I was aware that this would be the crisis many classic car owners dealt with, but when every month was a new expense or problem that I didn't have the resources or knowledge at hand to fix myself, I couldn't keep justifying expensive repairs at the garage.
When writing this, perhaps I am looking back on my ownership with rose colored glasses. Those late night drives around Providence, Cars and Coffee car shows, and long road trips up to Connecticut for parts are points in my ownership and life I will miss. And now, as I commute to school in a modern Toyota Corolla, I miss seeing the world from the inside of an old car. I imagine how commuting to school would actually be if I kept the car, and the more adventures I'd embark on with the car. I know one day I'll own another 240, but this one will always be special, as it was my first. Maybe one day I'll buy it back from the person I sold it to, as I'd take it back immediately. But if I did, I know I'd probably be back in the same place I was last summer, hemorrhaging funds away towards something else that needed work.
Your first car really is special, and even though I may have been frustrated and stressed in the moment with that 240, I truly didn't realize how good I had it until I sold it. One day, I'll have another classic Volvo, and the next time I do, I have an idea for what I'll be in for. Until then, I'll just be patiently waiting for the right time and car to come. I will miss my Volvo.
Good bye, Volvo