The Adventure Continues . . .

So then my boss had to express a few qualms about doing business with friends, family or coworkers. I reassured him that I understood and agreed with him, but I thought we could handle it. I did have to promise not to lose any of his computer data if Rosie did something bad.

He brought her in for me to see and test drive. He unlocked the car, I sat in the driver's seat, turned her on, and never even did a test drive. I have never gotten into a vehicle and felt so immediately comfortable and at home. After pointing out some minor problems, he suggested that I think about it overnight -- and it was not really a suggestion, so I told him I would. For the first time in a long time I could not wait to get to work the next day. I was tempted to go to the bank and get 10 $100 bills so I could peel them off and pay cash, but I resisted. The result is that my test drive was AFTER the sale, transfer of titles, changing of plates, etc. I drove her home and that is when I named her. The muffler passed inspection but is a little noisy, hence Rosie [the Riveter]. We had a lovely ride home. And then I started noticing things. Nothing major mechanically. I am only the third owner and was lucky enough to get all manuals, maintenance records, tool kits, etc. (did I mention that my boss, the P(revious) O(wner) is a little compulsive? But there were other things.

I have since found out that these are more or less normal for a 15-year-old Volvo - cracks and missing chunks in the plastic door pockets and center console [fortunately the dashboard is in GREAT condition, which I understand is usually not the case.] and the housing over the dome light was missing. Then I checked around in the glove box and the door pockets and the PO had compulsively saved every little piece that broke off! There is a small slice in the leather in the back, not on the seat but over the rear wheel well housing. Lots of dog hairs. I did have a mild allergic reaction on the way home, but carpet cleaner and a brush took care of the worst of it. A good vacuum job is next.

It has been raining in Philly now for the last seven days and I do not have a garage to work in. My sister in Dallas (Lexus SUV hybrid -- Hyacinth with a GPS named Chickie (another long impolite story) -- what a doll! We took our last trip to Canada on 1/2 to 2/3 the usual amount of gas) wanted to know if I was drowning but we're all just getting a little moldy! and I am just dying to get a sunny day to work on Rosie.

Aside from the slightly noisy muffler, which actually sounds just like all the other 240s in town that I have met, the car is in excellent mechanical condition. The tires have only 1500 miles on them, the battery is about three years old. My boss was astounded that I didn't have my mechanic check it out before buying but I just knew it was good and also figured if worst came to worst, I could part her out. The gas tank lid was bent out of alignment and didn't close quite all the way, but when I got home from work, I found that my landlord had fixed it for me. You can't tell it was ever bad. [He is an 82-year-old doll and he and his cronies are having such fun with this car.] And thanks to the volvoforum http://volvoforums.com I know where the buttons are to reset the service light. There is one burned out bulb - not a major one - and there are two small dents and the one biggish shallow one on the left side. See picture.

More later.