Talk me down

"Tristan" (casselts) 10/07/2018 at 02:46 • Filed to: None

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As often happens with my pointless CL shopping, I’ve morphed several generations away from my original search criteria.

I’ve been researching Volvo 240 wagons. Prior to the last couple of days I knew nothing about them other than they looked pretty neat. Now, I want one. They’re cheap and plentiful in the junkyard for parts. The usual maintenance and wear parts are cheaper than dirt, and they’re crazy simple to work on (going by what the internet says... zero first hand experience). Naturally they’re several decades old now so I don’t expect to be without a breakdown or two, but it should be reasonably easy to make one reliable.

Will this idea only lead to tears?

facw > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 02:58

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Tristan > facw 10/07/2018 at 03:06

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*delighted squeals *

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 03:07

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No. Jump. Even the auto is okay. It accelerates like an eroding rock but once it gets up to speed it is ridiculously effortless and vault like.

AestheticsInMotion > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 03:09

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Grab seats from a P1 wagon but otherwise yes. 100% behind this idea

gmctavish needs more space > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 03:18

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Do it

promoted by the color red > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 03:47

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(looks out the front door)

Yes.

Do it anyway.

Mine needs a ton of fettering for the smog board and I learned that the right rear floor board needs patching, which is foreign to me as a Californian so I guess I need to check for that next time. 

The biggest problem was undoing the previous mechanic’s OOGA-BOOGA torque spec on the drain plug. One breaker bar and a bruised knuckle later, it’s no big deal.

Also, it still makes boost, so that’s fun. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 07:13

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I’m....not going to talk you down. I’ve always loved the look of these things, and they are supposed to be very reliable and practical . If it were me, I’d go non-turbo for reliability and maintenance’s sake....slow as frozen molasses running backwards uphill, but speed isn’t everything - it’s about how a car makes you feel regardless and the enjoyment you get out of it. There’s a reason these old bricks have such a following. :)

The Autos are fine, but I would go for a manual because extra Opponess and it gives you some driver engagement. :)

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 07:22

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https://www.stsmachininginc.com/products/copy-of-240-volvo-lsx-motor-mounts

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Tristan 10/07/2018 at 10:26

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They’re fantastically durable, and they’re great cars so long as you’re not in a hurry to get anywhere involving acceleration .