Does anyone have experience owning Volvos? I have my eye on a Volvo wagon that I have always wanted. Any advice? It's a 1996.

My boss loves old Volvo wagons. He has a 1996 and he does all the repairs himself.

How much are they asking? He's on the phone right now but I'll talk to him when he gets off (not in that way).

We had Volvos when I was a child. (My dad bought a volvo when he was in the army and stationed in Germany - but he had to leave it there when he got out.)

Back then they were pretty unusual - and then later they became the young academic's car of choice. But I believe that they already had a reputation for safety and reliability and I don't recall anything majorly wrong with our old cars.

I have no experience with contemporary Volvos.

How much are they asking? He's on the phone right now but I'll talk to him when he gets off

$2800.

Aims, our family car is Volvo 240 from '83 which my dad adores and spent the last 10 years improving and maintaining it. I'm almost sure he'll be able to answer some questions, but he's asleep now.

tommy - it's this car: [link]

I had a Volvo sedan for a while. It was a great car with an engine even I could work on.

I'm at lunch and I overheard someone use the word 'pram'. She didn't have a British accent. Do Americans use that word or is it just a UK thing?

I heard it just this week (re: a stroller) in Canada if that helps.

I would use pram if it was a pram (i.e., the photo Jess linked to), but not for just a stroller. Of course, I also occasionally use queue as a verb.

My experience with Volvos dates from the early nineties. My college roommate's father (who was an actuary) bought it because of their safety record. They are very heavy cars; however, they don't drive well because they aren't very maneuverable. Our basic assessment was, you may be safer in the car if you had an accident, but it would be harder to avoid one.

I would use pram if it was a pram (i.e., the photo Jess linked to)

I would call the thing is Jess's link a "baby carriage." Or maybe an "old-fashioned baby carriage."

I've been thinking about it -- if someone said "pram," I would picture Jess's link. If I were describing that thing, I'm pretty sure I would call it a "big-ass baby carriage, you know?" Because I'm pretty sure the only time I've ever talked about that specific item is when I've seen one on the subway, and its big-assed-ness is the defining factor.

I think more people should use the word "perambulate" in general. Sounds much more fun than walking.