Comments on: 30 years and 800,000 km out of a Volvo. Here’s how I did it

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:42:50 +0000

To Aaron, The car has been parked in various places locations over it’s lifetime. Outside, on the street, underground garage and today I park it inside my garage. I only switched to Hyundai because I can not afford to buy a Volvo. My chassis is still in excellent shape thanks to the Rust Check despite the hard driving from 17 years of racing it. IAN

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:07:10 +0000

I am impressed with this mileage… We had a four-door version back in the 90s, it it gave us many headaches before reaching 240.000kms. There are just some more facts I would like to know about this story: 1) Where was this car parked when not in use? (heated garage, open driveway) 2) Considering the mileage you got from this Volvo, why would you switch to Hyundai? (Ironically I’m a Hyundai owner myself) 3) Did you find that frame and chassis of your Volvo was starting to lose its integrity after 300,000kms or so? (Squeaking, odd noises etc.)

Thank you,

By: pc

pc — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:00:20 +0000

sorry your articler did not say how you keep it that long, just saying what the car went through. and Volvo? you must know car well so you can fix it yourself and have deep pocket to buy the parts. btw, Volvo parts are the most expensive at all. most owner have to dump their volvo because of little issue. the exterior looking well, and free of rust, but the engine, transmission, electrical are falling apart. maybe because your is such old GLT, the newer 7×0/8×0/9×0 and the new volvo certainly can not be driven that long/far without a major repair.

By: george gray

george gray — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:18:48 +0000

I don’t see a by-line for this article. It makes me wonder if this isn’t a press release to promote products like Rust Check, Mobil oil and the like.
I’ve always felt that so-called ‘automotive journalism’ is the least objective form of journalism.
It seems to me it is not really possible for any publication reliant on advertising to be completely honest when it comes to assessing the merits of a product—or I should say, pointing out a product or maker’s de-merits.
Just look at the ‘car of the year’ awards and reviews etc. that appear in for-profit publications— one finds that every maker eventually is highlighted for some award or other.

By: John Seagram

John Seagram — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:57:43 +0000

The smell you refer to is from cars that are not properly maintained — those that burn oil or have other engine problems (characteristically having black/blue smoke coming out the tailpipe). If this car is in mechanically good condition and leaking any fluids, you won’t smell anything. Learn the facts before being an environmental thumper.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:48:00 +0000

Trevanian’s (Rodney Whitaker) anti-hero Nicholai Hel in the 1979 novel “Shibumi” kept a Volvo later in his life in Basque country because he said, “while it never runs well, it always runs.” Every time Hel walked away from his parked Volvo he would throw a stone at it.

By: Mgalang

Mgalang — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:44:28 +0000

Bought 2003 corolla new. Just celebrated last month for achieving 503,000 km. Replaced/repairs as follows: at 420000 km. The front strut was replaced, at 425000 the wheel bearing both front and rear on driver side was replaced, at 475000 the starter was replaced. That’s it. Guess what the front rotor is still the original one.

By: George

George — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:19:31 +0000

Hey, I’ve seen your car a few times in the Markham and McNicole/Passmore/ Morningside and Finch/Steeles area. I was shocked to see, a): a middle aged white man in this area (lol), and b): a modified old Volvo with all those stickers, which explains the middle aged white man driving it. FANTASTIC! Good job keeping the car that long and its original state! I actually wanted to flag you down and talk about the car.

By: nagdream@gmail.com

nagdream@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:50:39 +0000

Yes, and with my aging S80 I consistently get approached by women half my age especially after breaking the land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats while maintaining a 5 L/100 km. average.

By: Wile

Wile — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:57:14 +0000

Almost halfway there with a 99 Civic and 350K. No rust proofing and no rust showing on car. Teenage drivers had use for last few years, don’t think it will last that much longer though.