Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997
From: Jim Fuquay <JFuquay@startext.net>
Glenn
I've had my eye on an 1800ES for years - more like decades - ever since passing on one in Dallas in 1978 or so. My question: Can these things really be used for light commuting (into Fort Worth from Arlington) every day? If I spent, say, $6,000, could I get a reliable (relatively speaking) machine?
Quite a surprise to do a web-wide search and end up right back in my backyard. I love these serendipities.
Jim Fuquay
Jim -
Cars are sort of like people. You can live or work with anyone, but you'd rather it be someone you like. If you really like your car, you're willing to accept the occasional breakdown just for the pleasure of driving a car you really like.
To answer your questions more directly, yes, I believe a $6000 Volvo 1800ES should be reliable enough to commute thirty miles round trip every day. Whether it is or not depends on your skill in choosing and maintaining it.
Ideally, you would want to maintain the car yourself and do some of the mechanical work, such as changing brake pads and engine oil. If you are mechanically inclined and can tell when the car needs service, that's good. You'll probably be hitching a ride only once every year or two.
The other approach is to find and pay a good mechanic to keep the car in shape. Once again, your ability to discern impending problems and get them taken care of is proportional to the dependability of the car.
I've driven my '63 1800 for about fourteen years, and have only been stranded when I've run out of gas, and once when the spark coil gave out. But I'm not going to mislead you. Sports cars were a passion when I bought this one, and I've always been mechanically inclined to the point of, well, let's just say I don't want to brag.
If you want a dependable car, buy a Toyota or a Honda. If you want a dependable classic sports car, you can't go wrong with a well-preserved 1800.
-Glenn.