Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Hey guys,
new to the forum.
So I just made this deal and I think I might have gotten ripped....let me know what you think.

I had a 2002 Volvo C70 that was nothing but headaches.  
1. Fixed the transmission ($3149 fix)
2. Check Engine light came on IMMEDIATELY after the transmission fix - due to an unrelated, yet still unknown problem
3. Had to get a new heater core installed for $350 - which caused the whole under-carriage to be filled with water
4. Horrible on gas - 15 mi/gallon

despite this, it's still a near-luxury car, and had 121 000 miles on it.  The transmission had a bit of a 'clunk' in it and it idled at higher than average rpms...so that could also be another issue.

Anyways, I just needed a car that's great on gas and that I'm not gonna have to repair.  I also couldn't spend ANY money at all on this car - I was relying on the trade in value of the Volvo.

I took the volvo to carmax, and with the check engine light on and everything, they appraised it at a mere $2200.  Then I took it to a used car guy - and we made this deal, which I think may have been a bit impulsive.  I basically traded him my Volvo for a 1986 Chevy Nova with 100 000 miles on it.  I figured I wasn't gona get anything privately for the volvo, any new repairs that came up would be my responsibility, and I just couldn't afford the gas anymore.  

What do you guys think? Did I screw up????  Please tell me I didnt!! (But be honest....)  

I am currently starting a business in my area in which I am The Middle Man. I'm here for you in exactly this type of situation. That's the name (The Middle Man). I help protect my clients (you) in these cases. In this situation I would say if you are happy with the car and you have had it checked by YOUR mechanic and it's dependable, that's all that matters at this point. If you owed no money on the 02 Volvo and just got a straight trade for an 86 Nova, yeah could have done much better. A car that age with that low mileage is not common. It's easy to roll back an odometer.  

Out of all honesty, i think you screwed up. A '02 Volvo with problems is still probably gonna be more reliable than a Nova. BUT i may be wrong, and you may get lots of time out of the Nova. Just remember routine maintenance is KEY to ANY car. I've seen a 1998 Kia Sephia with routine maint. outlast a '04 Civic that never had maintenance done. So you may have made a wise deccision but if i were you i would have sold the Volvo and bought a good running Honda/Toyota.