by "thejustache" (thejustache)
Published 02/17/2017 at 12:46
by "thejustache" (thejustache)
Published 02/17/2017 at 12:46
No Tags
STARS: 3
I’m thinking yes, because boxy RWD things should always be sideways. That said, I’ve never owned a volvo and know very little about these things. Therefore I beseech you dear oppo: Teach me to Volvo.
Backstory: I suddenly find myself in the market for a second car, preferably cheap and somewhat interesting. Reliability is a plus, but not a total requirement. After years of having an hour+ daily commute, I have a new job that’s 12 miles away. I’m getting married in a month, and I did the jalop thing and got a $700 beater jetta last year so my fiance could learn to drive stick. That car did its job and now she’s able to drive my Outback XT without issue. The Jetta finally lost its headgasket and is being sold for parts. This leaves me with room for an interesting idea...
I’ve always wanted to have a spare car that could be ultimately used for some form of motorsport. I love rally and thus I always figured I’d get another subaru or an old BMW (like my first 2 cars) eventually. That said, I love my Outback XT and it fullfills my AWD turbo subaru needs. I can’t really justify spending for a WRX as a second car just to thrash on. Any 2.5rs I can find near me is beat to oblivion. ‘80s BMWs are now well beyond “cheap fun” money. And thus enters the Volvo 240
Here’s what I’ve been thinking: find a manual 240 sedan for somewhere between $500 and $2500. I realize the manual ones are harder to find, and lots of 240s have pretty bad rust at this point. That said I’m willing to drive and/or wait a while until the right one comes up. Paint/originality/miles are not really a concern. If craigslist is an indication it seems fairly possible to meet those requirements. Does that seem like decent thinking?
I’d plan on going through and doing heavy maintinence and body work/paint and probably throwing on some lights while DDing it for a while as my wife uses the outback. Once we get more settled I’d probably get a newer second car, at which point the 240 could become a full on project. Ultimately in a few years I could see myself paying to have it caged and turned into an actual rally car.
Is this reasonable or a terrible idea? I know this isn’t a fast car, nor a sporty car, nor even really a desirable car, yet in the end I think it might be perfect. It’s a cheap RWD swedish brick, and I think there just might be an application for such a thing in my life.
"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig)
02/17/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 1
Flying Moose approves.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
02/17/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 1
The answer is always mia... nah. It’s yes. Freaking do it.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/17/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 2
Yes
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"thejustache" (thejustache)
02/17/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0
Is that yours? What model is that with the quad round headlamps?
"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig)
02/17/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 1
No, it belonged to the Flying Moose Rally Team. The engine blew up a couple of years ago and I’m not sure about its current state.
Several 240s here in the States had quad round lights due to our dumb sealed beam headlight regulations. Late ‘70s, I think.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
02/17/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 1
Why is this even a question being asked?? YES!
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
02/17/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
A buddy in college had one of these that he swapped a GM 3800 drivetrain from a camaro. Was a lot of fun even though it was automatic. I miss that car.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
02/17/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 1
A buddy in college had one of these that he swapped a GM 3800 drivetrain from a camaro. Was a lot of fun even though it was automatic. I miss that car.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/17/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 0
what are you planning to use to power it?......
"thejustache" (thejustache)
02/17/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 0
I know there are a lot of folks that V8 swap these. I suppose once the motor goes that could always be an option!
"thejustache" (thejustache)
02/17/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 1
At first, whatever it comes with. I suppose the rally thing to do would be to turbo it, or put an actual turbo volvo motor in it. There’s always the v8 option as there seems to be plenty of that out there. Personally, I think doing a NA build at first could be cool, potentially with a head swap, different cam, and maybe ITBs?
"thejustache" (thejustache)
02/17/2017 at 14:41, STARS: 0
That onboard video is ridiculous. I’ve watched a lot of onboard rally video, including some fast RWD stuff, but I got almost scared just sitting here watching that.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/17/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 0
i just ask, because when i buy junk that i intend to build........ i ALREADY have my engine, transmission, and sometimes a rear end setting, waiting on whatever body i can find laying around to shoehorn it into....... what that also does for me, is that it makes the condition of the existing(in car) driveline a non issue. blown headgaskets? thrashed syncros? spun bearings? dont care. whats that interior look like? doesnt matter much either, probably ripping it out too. BUT when you are buying only a shell, you can get MUCH much better pricing. the biggest concerns are 1.... structural rust, and 2.....paper(title) and a distant 3......price
but if youre trying to buy a runner, thats good too.......
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/17/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 1
Yeah it’s really quite ridiculous. I was watching Ari Vatanen videos yesterday, my god those are something else.
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"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
02/17/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0
That 181 car, possible neck injury from very sudden 100 degree stab-in-dirt spin.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
02/17/2017 at 15:42, STARS: 0
Yeah that looked pretty rough
"thejustache" (thejustache)
02/17/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0
yeah, if I was planning on doing a real build up from a shell that would definitely be the way to go. I’m looking at this as more of a “buy it running and driving, thrash it as is until something breaks, then decide how to make it better” type of situation.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/17/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 1
that IS a fun way to get started with the car. there is almost nothing worse than having your project sit there, not moving for long periods of time.
i always have that “shell” conversation with my friends when they are looking at engines. they always want original bore, standard cranks, unmachined, complete, never been apart blocks to start with....... and in reality they are already planning to send the thing off to the machine shop and have it bored 60 over, get an aftermarket crank, aluminium heads, aftermarket guts, and chrome bits all over. it drives me nuts.
but what you have planned there, would be a great way to get going.
"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
02/23/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 1
Pretty sure the
Fire Breathing Rally Volvo
is still for sale. Just sayin.