Bad idea, good idea, or best idea?

"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
12/23/2014 at 22:31 • Filed to: None

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I'm still trying to decide on what to keep my eye out for when I have funds to replace the Murdersofa, as the electrical gremlins keep [intensifying] and I've had a good enough look at the wiring harness to know that the answer to "will you fix it" is hell the fuck no .

So I went on Craigslist, typed in "turbo volvo" and got this. It's a brick, but a newer brick than what most people think of, but is it still brick enough and fun enough to be a worthy successor to the zero-fucks-given Murdersofa?

Are there any large drawbacks to these? Can they be considered relatively sporty and autocrossable?

DISCUSSION (10)

I own dead car brands only > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/23/2014 at 22:36

you want relatively sporty and autocrossable. Get a miata.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/23/2014 at 22:37

Dont you want to avoid electrical gremlins? Older Volvos are not the answer!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > I own dead car brands only
12/23/2014 at 22:38

Too small.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/23/2014 at 22:39

Hmm. Ok.

I still want a '96 Jag XJS with a Chevy smallblock swap, though :P

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/23/2014 at 23:05

Sorry im just bitter because my 2000 V70R is a total pos.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/23/2014 at 23:24

That would be a great car. Really it would. As long as you have a few grand in a savings account for repair and a Volvo shop on speed dial. Seriously, those are cheap POS's. I would rather drive a sofa with electrical gremlins.

sellphones2493 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/23/2014 at 23:31

I'd say yes, but then I'd say no.

If you are anywhere near Kansas, where this one is for sale, I've read a horror story about an R-Owner that has been completely screwed over by the (seemingly) incompetent Volvo Dealer in the area for repairs, and there are apparently no indy mechanics in the area.

In terms of the car, itself, there really shouldn't be too many problems. It's not like R Maintenence - you won't have failing Haldex AWD (because it's FWD), and no slave-cylinder issues (because it's an Auto). With that said, be weary of the suspension, which shouldn't be too bad - idk how harsh KS Roads are, and definitely look at the transmission. If the timing belt wasn't done before 115K (that's being generous), I wouldn't walk away - I'd run.

On a separate note, I don't like how the dealer posted it for sale in the 'by owner' category. That's a little sketch.

Mercedes Streeter > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/24/2014 at 01:03

Murderbrick does have a ring to it...

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/24/2014 at 01:14

May I speak, as the only (former) P2 owner in the comments, so far?

First of all, despite JQJ213's protests, based on his P80 V70 experience, the P2 cars are above and beyond better, right down to the difference between actually having room to work while doing a timing belt, vs. having to call your friend with the tiniest hands to actually do the work for you.

Electrics are a bit better in the P2 cars, as is the styling. However, if you /really/ want a turbo Volvo, go RWD.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4810029090…

Incidentally, if you'd rather bring one up from the south, let me know, and if you could meet me in my little corner of Northeastern KS, I'd gladly drive you down to Tennessee or Alabama when I go down, so you could get one with sunbaked paint and no salt exposure.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
12/24/2014 at 08:04

find a '98 or earlier, no electronic throttle body, and the autos were a beefy old 4spd Aisin, instead of the somewhat spindly first-Gen 5spd. The turbo 5s are gutsy and thirsty, ((disclaimer: I was indeed running extra boost and a tweaked fuel map), it ran like shit on 87, and got 15% worse fuel economy and felt slow on 89, with no-ethanol 93 it was a red, brick-shaped rocket-ship, and I NEVER saw beter than 24mpg) They have great torque and are very responsive. My '98 V70 AWD was surprisingly entertaining with the right tires fitted. Strong brakes for the first couple slows, but unlike the older RWD cars prone to rapid fade. Good steering feel, predictable chassis dynamics, most comfortable seats EVAR.... But what you really want is a non-turbo manual trans wagon with equal length headers because they sound like awesome with the right exhaust. (just watch out for clutch-cylinder issues)