I just bought a 1982 Volvo 240DL (245) wagon with 300k on it. $500...

It's a suprisingly nice car and runs well. the 4 speed stick with electronic overdrive is weird as shit though. I have to rewire the OD (ripped out the cable when I accidentally pulled the shifter knob off) but who the hell puts an electronic overdrive on a stick shift anyways??

I will put up pictures soon.

it's a shame there's no video of you ripping off said shifter. Damn. Now I'll have to picture your face

This is why my '79 242GT had a toggle switch duct taped to the shifter knob.

The 95 Nissan I had for a bit had the electronic OD switch on the shifter....

But it was an automatic... old Volvos basically have an electronic 5th gear on their manual.

the swedes should've stuck to things they were good at; bikini teams and meatballs.
notice that cars weren't on the list.

Volvos are fucking great.

Saabs are fucking... unique.

Posted by bandi Volvos are fucking great. Saabs are fucking... unique.

um... well... i like the Saabs
the Volvos... well, um, no.

I love Saabs. But I'd never go as far as saying they're good cars. Volvos, although they're styled after lego blocks, are decent cars.

Posted by bandi I love Saabs. But I'd never go as far as saying they're good cars. Volvos, although they're styled after lego blocks, are decent cars.

shouldn't you be working on a volkswagen or something right now?

Posted by bandi I love Saabs. But I'd never go as far as saying they're good cars. Volvos, although they're styled after lego blocks, are decent cars.

I know the old brick 240's are indestructible... there's tons out there with 300k+ on them. What about post-Ford Volvos? Haven't heard much either way about them.

You didn't pay much, the real cost is how much more you have to put into it. You might get lucky, some old Volvos keep going, some are money pits, like my 79 240.

Paid only 500.00. They are pigs on gas, and the aluminum open fuses can short out, mine was the same manual shifter. Hitting that button is fun though...

and a wagon is 1000 times more useful than the sedan. If not rusty, you probably got a good car worth putting a few repairs into.


*Okay, pigs on gas may be a bit harsh They are a mid sized solid heavy comfortable car, so of course should not be expected to get Civic mileage. Mine got probably the mileage of a slightly newer V6. Gas mileage is all relative; you have the space of a minivan in that wagon, more probably...

The new ones look great, hardly the bricks of yesteryear. The 'floating dash' is a nice innovation and overall they have fantastic interiors with superb seats. They're still reliable and safe cars.

Posted by Samurai shouldn't you be working on a volkswagen or something right now?

August 9th, my friend, August 9th. Still slaving under the regime of the general till then.

If I have to put much money into it, I'll probably just pass it along to some other chump... Luckily, all of the pick-n-pulls around here have a couple 240's. No rust except for minor stuff, and no leaks either.

I put new spark plugs in today and it runs a lot smoother, though the old ones were pretty tan so I'm going to have to take a look at the injectors. Ive been getting just under twenty MPG on the highway, but that should hopefully go up to 23-24 once I get the OD fixed.

But, I didn't buy it for the mileage, I bought it because it's basically an enclosed truck, and will also make a great shaggin' wagon. I could live in the thing if I really wanted!

Looks great, I think you got a very good deal

Yeah, that's clean!

Posted by bandi This is why my '79 242GT had a toggle switch duct taped to the shifter knob.

Should I be using an on-off or a momentary switch?

Is there a dash light that will turn on, and will I need to clutch out before going into "5th" gear?

On/Off, and I don't remember if there's a light or not, I haven't seen mine in ten years.

You know, I honestly have not driven a Volvo yet...