At last, my son has picked out a car that he actually wants.
After suffering through my C3 Corvette and off-road Disco Land Rover fantasies, Bradley wanted a car that worked for his own Gen Z sensibilities. He began peppering my inbox with 1980s and 1990s cars, particularly Volvo wagons.
My area of Volvo expertise includes the 544, 122 and P1800, so he was on his own.
Born in 2007, he has no genetic link to the older SCM sports cars he has been driving. He is thrilled by the 1975 Porsche 911S and the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Veloce (and somewhat less by the 1971 V12 Jaguar E-type coupe). But they speak to him as distillations of my choices, not cars that he has a generational or emotional attachment to.
SCM’s Gen X Editor-in-Chief Jeff Sabatini grew up in the Next Gen era, and drove many of these “modern” enthusiast cars when they were new. He has been my sounding board for Bradley’s interests. When I mentioned to him Bradley’s fascination with Volvo wagons, Jeff responded, “I’m going to be selling my 1998 V70 T5, have him call me if he is interested.”
It was the car karma we are all familiar with, that he happened to be selling THE EXACT MODEL that Bradley was fantasizing about.
Volvos are plentiful in Portland, in part thanks to Volvo parts specialist IPD being located here. Jeff mentioned that he had looked at several inexpensive Volvo wagons when he bought his car, and his was the best he found in the “credit card money” price range. It was an automatic, red with grey interior, sunroof, and had 230,000 miles. While far from perfect, it was visually presentable and mechanically solid. Best of all, I have long maintained that when you buy a used car you are really buying the previous owner more than the car. Jeff is a car guy through and through, and does all of his own wrenching on his projects.
After a test drive, they agreed on a price in the low four-figure range, which Jeff declared was “true market value” for the car based on his research. (Also less than he had paid for the car, before spending hundreds of dollars addressing its most immediate needs.) Bradley didn’t disagree. He had his first experience of paying cash for a car by counting out a stack of Benjamins on the hood.
I asked Bradley what he liked about the Volvo and he replied, “It delivers joy with each drive with its reasonable but sufficient speed and family friendly styling.” (Yes, that is an exact quote.) The car was an immediate hit with all his friends.
Oddly enough, having the V70 as a daily driver (that he is about to take to college over 100 miles away) makes it easier for him to consider our selling the 911S, which is his favorite of our sports cars.
“I know there will always be something fun in the garage for me to drive on special occasions, but the Volvo gives me a fun car to drive every day,” he said. “I feel good every time I look at it and get behind the wheel.”
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12 responses to “Keith’s Blog: Enter the Longroof Volvo”
What a sensible decision! That V70 is the perfect daily driver. I have long had an appreciation for Volvo wagons since my brother had a 240 DL way back when. Bradley truly has the best of both worlds with a versatile, comfortable and competent daily driver and a stable full of fun classics to play with when occasion presents itself. Kudos young sir!
This story reminds me of when I went off to college in 1981 and bought the wrong kind of used car because I thought it was “cool”, a Peugeot 504 that liked to stall out at the worst possible moments and overheat on long trips. Kudos to Bradley for making a sensible and cool choice !
I have been shifting in my choices of late, as I just added a Callaway C9 1995 Impala to my collection. I am surprised by the attention that and a recently sold 92 300CE gains me at local events especially with the younger gens.
However, when I lived in CA, I had a couple of guys that worked with me that would only drive volvo wagons. I was surprised when they shared that, even more surprised to see how big the community that shared their passion.
But I would say the V70 has been my choice when it comes to those long roofs.
Have fun and collect memories and not dust.
Some time ago I recommended a Volvo 240 wagon for Bradley A 1998 wagon seems the right age although I live on east coast where lower mileage cars are more prevalent. I am a baby boomer now looking for a final car or considering uber.
Great choice for initial college experience. Just try it out for now and maintain as necessary. BTW Bradley seems a very astute first time shopper.
Excellent choice Bradley, way cooler than ANY SUV and more practical. Wishing you many years of happy motoring and memories!
Leave it alone and let it be what it is, a wagon. Most of which are amazingly cool, distinctive, comfy, useful, durable, and great sleepers. Heck, you can even sleep in your sleeper! I’ve loved three Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagons, especially the current E55 AMG, which adds “fast” to the above list.
Frank Barret above has it right. Don’t do a damn thing to it, just drive it as is!
The perfect mobile bedroom for a handsome young man moving away from home for the first time. The young ladies will be loving the bright red color! Happy hunting, Bradley! 😉
I love the quote!
Who knew?
Are wagons making a comeback??
I’m late to this discussion (sorry) but I write this from coastal Maine, the Land of the Wagons. Bradley joins a fervent group of old hippies, practical folk of all ages, and patricians who wish they would make them again with wood on the sides. Martha Stewart has an Edsel wagon at her place near here. Well done, Bradley. Save up for an 1800.
I would counsel Bradley to drive the drive for a while and get to know the car and his reaction to it. At the same time, I would save money in advance of any work he aniticipates to stave off the interest payment roller coaster. I also think it might be best to address any functional discrepancies first. When I was young (confirmed by carbon dating). I would do things to my first cr to make up for things the car really lasted. However, once I did fix those things completely, I found myself more satisfied with the car to the point that I didn’t feel the need to do the things kids do. Keeping the car up will mean more to the next buyer than what could be considered frills.
Bradley seems pretty well grounded in that he understands a car’s utility is probably more important than it looks. That’s to his great credit and probably a father’s influence, no?
Good luck.