Volvo Red Block Love

BeeCeeGS · 06-30-2012, 01:15 PM

When it comes to a practical, long-lasting vehicle that can be fixed easily and cheaply by a DIY'er, I think these are hard to beat--the wagons in particular. Unfortunately, the combination of needing lots of work and failed emissions testing made it impractical to continue driving my 740 wagon. With the 5 spd it would get close to 30mpg on the highway. 610,000km when "Goldie" went to the wrecker, and it didn't use or leak a drop of oil--sounded like a diesel at idle, though.

I'm currently driving a 940 sedan (non-turbo). The (lack of) performance is annoying without the practicality of a wagon, so I'm on the hunt for another wagon. The decent ones don't last long on Craigslist.

atomicalex · 06-30-2012, 01:40 PM

You should have sold it to a LeMons team. They pay good money for Volvo wagons.

Anorak · 06-30-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomicalex

You should have sold it to a LeMons team. They pay good money for Volvo wagons.

What's good money in the LeMons series? Max $500 for the car and preparation.

Quote:

2.1: Vehicle Eligibility: Entry limited to mass-produced, four-wheeled vehicles legal for US highway use at the time of their manufacture. Vehicles must be acquired and prepared for a maximum of $500 as described in Section 4. Vehicles must meet all safety standards laid out in Section 3. The vehicle's original, manufacturer-stated curb weight may not exceed 4200 pounds. Individual waivers may be granted; just don't ask about Peterbilts, Zambonis, sidecars, or golf carts again. We already said no.

error cooled · 06-30-2012, 07:53 PM

I DD a 1993 940 Turbo Wagon. Great vehicle.. currently in the shop getting caught up on maintenance. Few vehicles I would consider are worth PM in excess of the value of the car... this one is definitely worth it.

Range Motorsport · 07-01-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anorak

What's good money in the LeMons series? Max $500 for the car and preparation.

Don't race much do ya?

Sure the rules say $500 but there are ways around that, it's not cheating if you find a loophole.

seriousracer · 07-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Lemons car costs about 5000 after all is said and done..some as high as 10k...

Sniper X · 07-02-2012, 07:50 AM

So IF I ever see one for sale, what is the year to get on a turbo brick? I have always wanted one. 2 door turbo, shaped like a shoebox.

BeeCeeGS · 07-04-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper X

So IF I ever see one for sale, what is the year to get on a turbo brick? I have always wanted one. 2 door turbo, shaped like a shoebox.

That's a good question for the Turbobricks forum. I haven't looked into cars of that vintage--I'm more focussed on the wagons.

straightrod · 07-04-2012, 01:24 PM

Considering a wagon in the newer body style. Consumers Report states 2003 as being the best reliability wise. I want the wagon over SUV's because the roof is low allowing me easier loading and unloading of kayaks plus mileage is better. Any thoughts on the newer models re: maintenance costs, performance turbo or non turbo?

Barry · 07-06-2012, 01:42 AM

Had 5. Currently have our first. A 97 850 GLT with low pressure turbo. Runs crazy strong, handles well, comfy, and has 200K+ on it.

Most fun one was 95 Turbo Wagon. Yeah! Blast to drive.

Had 2 240s (Sedan and Wagon) and XC70 AWD wagon, which is the comfiest car I ever owned.

Barry

doyle · 07-06-2012, 12:45 PM

Not high on the reliability scale but the V70R smokes the fun scale. I miss my S60R, but with a long commute, I could never shake the feeling of impending mechanical doom.

Mr. Canoehead · 07-06-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by straightrod

Considering a wagon in the newer body style. Consumers Report states 2003 as being the best reliability wise. I want the wagon over SUV's because the roof is low allowing me easier loading and unloading of kayaks plus mileage is better. Any thoughts on the newer models re: maintenance costs, performance turbo or non turbo?

I have a 2002 V70 T5 (wife's car). Owned it since new. Other than eating light bulbs, that car has been incredibly reliable and with a set of IPD sways and Bilsteins, it actually handles, too. Just a really nice car. Great seats and killer Dynaudio stereo. Love the T5 engine. I have rented a few non-turbo autos and they are slugs.

On the lightbulb thing, I replace a bulb (headlight, tail light, brake light, etc) at least once every two months. When it was under warranty, the dealer did it for free but once off warranty $27 for a brake light that cost $1.50 at NAPA meant that I was doing them myself. Prior to this car, I don't think I ever replaced more than one bulb in any car I ever owned.

I recently went through the front end (new brakes, motor and trans mounts and bushings) and it is back to its usual great handling - it was getting a bit loose.

Volvo doesn't make a decent wagon any more but I am always on the lookout for a late V70R (with a manual).

Friend of mine had a 2004 V70 XC that he lemon lawed; based on my sample set of 2 cars, the 2002's are the best and the 2004's are the worst V70's

MrBob · 07-07-2012, 07:49 AM

This wagon was made when Volvo's were super-reliable and still repairable by the average guy. Four speed with OD and all the power I needed.

I do love the red blocks and here is one I massaged not long ago.

McB · 07-09-2012, 07:29 PM

4 cyl. RWD: apples

All the rest: oranges

emerson.biguns · 07-10-2012, 04:45 PM

Ooops, I read vulva.

Carry on.

.

06-30-2012, 01:15 PM	#1
BeeCeeGS ^OP WeaponOfMassDestruction Joined: Dec 2001 Location: Chilliwack, BC Oddometer: 1,695	Volvo Red Block Love When it comes to a practical, long-lasting vehicle that can be fixed easily and cheaply by a DIY'er, I think these are hard to beat--the wagons in particular. Unfortunately, the combination of needing lots of work and failed emissions testing made it impractical to continue driving my 740 wagon. With the 5 spd it would get close to 30mpg on the highway. 610,000km when "Goldie" went to the wrecker, and it didn't use or leak a drop of oil--sounded like a diesel at idle, though. I'm currently driving a 940 sedan (non-turbo). The (lack of) performance is annoying without the practicality of a wagon, so I'm on the hunt for another wagon. The decent ones don't last long on Craigslist. __________________ Every day I break my previous record of consecutive days still alive.

06-30-2012, 01:40 PM	#2
atomicalex silly aluminum boxes Joined: May 2012 Location: Detroit & Düsseldorf Oddometer: 598	You should have sold it to a LeMons team. They pay good money for Volvo wagons. __________________ Katherine - F650GSa

06-30-2012, 07:53 PM	#4
error cooled anything but asphalt Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, Virginia Oddometer: 967	I DD a 1993 940 Turbo Wagon. Great vehicle.. currently in the shop getting caught up on maintenance. Few vehicles I would consider are worth PM in excess of the value of the car... this one is definitely worth it. __________________ 1988 Honda XR600R - vintage, street legal torque monster 1996 Suzuki DR350SE - dual sport anvil, buddy bike The Blue Ridge Trail - Virginia via gravel, dirt, two track and backroads.

07-01-2012, 03:36 PM	#6
seriousracer be a man dodge tree bark Joined: Jun 2007 Location: i am not f***ng stupid,but i used too. niles mi. Oddometer: 7,344	Lemons car costs about 5000 after all is said and done..some as high as 10k... __________________ racing is not real till your fighting for the line into the next blind corner,real roads, real trees, real fast, real men rally. be a man dodge tree bark! We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating; the GS handles in ways a two-story building was never meant to. Taking collections for Faye Butler Training please spare some change. www.kmotorwerks.com Remember red and yellow make orange.so to think orange is better means you have to use two steps to get there. ________

07-02-2012, 07:50 AM	#7
Sniper X De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,423	So IF I ever see one for sale, what is the year to get on a turbo brick? I have always wanted one. 2 door turbo, shaped like a shoebox. __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE. IT'S VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY CURRENT

07-04-2012, 01:24 PM	#9
straightrod Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal Oddometer: 1,175	Considering a wagon in the newer body style. Consumers Report states 2003 as being the best reliability wise. I want the wagon over SUV's because the roof is low allowing me easier loading and unloading of kayaks plus mileage is better. Any thoughts on the newer models re: maintenance costs, performance turbo or non turbo?

07-06-2012, 01:42 AM	#10
Barry Just Beastly Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Oddometer: 6,454	Had 5. Currently have our first. A 97 850 GLT with low pressure turbo. Runs crazy strong, handles well, comfy, and has 200K+ on it. Most fun one was 95 Turbo Wagon. Yeah! Blast to drive. Had 2 240s (Sedan and Wagon) and XC70 AWD wagon, which is the comfiest car I ever owned. Barry __________________ Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap... Avoid it now, do a trackday. Do not do business with Myrtle West Cycle... Not a reputable vendor by a long shot.

07-06-2012, 12:45 PM	#11
doyle RallyRaidReview-ing Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Off Piste Oddometer: 21,525	Not high on the reliability scale but the V70R smokes the fun scale. I miss my S60R, but with a long commute, I could never shake the feeling of impending mechanical doom. __________________ *Got Smugmug? Use code HWkDUhHwGv5Tc for a discount.* RallyRaidReview - @RallyRaidReview

07-07-2012, 07:49 AM	#13
MrBob Careening forward Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Fe, N.M. Oddometer: 5,669	This wagon was made when Volvo's were super-reliable and still repairable by the average guy. Four speed with OD and all the power I needed. I do love the red blocks and here is one I massaged not long ago. __________________ KLX 400 dual sport Tune in, turn on, drop out.

07-09-2012, 07:29 PM	#14
McB Joe 40 ouncer Joined: Apr 2005 Location: North Slope of the Flint Hills Oddometer: 15,225	4 cyl. RWD: apples All the rest: oranges

07-10-2012, 04:45 PM	#15
emerson.biguns All idiot, no savant Joined: Apr 2007 Location: The Old Pueblo Oddometer: 8,215	Ooops, I read vulva. Carry on. .

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