Considering buying my first volvo

[billr99]

Ask Terry Parolin if he still has the 850R I traded in on my current XC. It was one of only 14 5-speed 850R's imported into North America in 1996. Had the Euro-spec 250HP engine. It was a great ride and I just hated getting rid of it. That would be an 850 to get hold of.

Cheers,

Bill

[fzrdar]

I should have asked earlier,what model and years of Volvo's would be recommended for a newbie to buy with basic knowledge of auto mechanics.

Thinking this might be my new hobby

Thanks

Darwin .

[jblackburn]

I should have asked earlier,what model and years of Volvo's would be recommended for a newbie to buy with basic knowledge of auto mechanics.

Stick with one of the 850/early -70 series cars (94-98 is what I'd recommend) or a 92 or later 940. Personally, I wouldn't buy any of the older RWD cars older than a 940 as a definite keeper any more just because they're getting OLD, and a lot of them I've been looking at for my younger brother have like 300,000 miles on them already. The red-block 940 engines are amazingly easy to work on and mess with yourself, and the 5-cylinders are pretty easy once you get used to it as well, but there is much less room. Any turbo version is a lot of fun, and not a whole lot of extra maintenance. The new (post-2000) cars are filled with electronics and turn into a dealer nightmare if you have to reset anything on them.

[billr99]

I should have asked earlier,what model and years of Volvo's would be recommended for a newbie to buy with basic knowledge of auto mechanics.

Stick with one of the 850/early -70 series cars (94-98 is what I'd recommend) or a 92 or later 940. Personally, I wouldn't buy any of the older RWD cars older than a 940 as a definite keeper any more just because they're getting OLD, and a lot of them I've been looking at for my younger brother have like 300,000 miles on them already. The red-block 940 engines are amazingly easy to work on and mess with yourself, and the 5-cylinders are pretty easy once you get used to it as well, but there is much less room. Any turbo version is a lot of fun, and not a whole lot of extra maintenance. The new (post-2000) cars are filled with electronics and turn into a dealer nightmare if you have to reset anything on them.

I'd agree with this but would add that if you can find a manual tranny that just make things that much easier. Its unfortunate that so few decent combinations of turbo motors and manuals are offered by Volvo but a S70 T5 manual would be a decent setup for someone just getting going with Volvos. Even a Volvo NA motor and manual tranny isn't that bad and is about as simple as they get, just depends on what kind of performance you would like to have

Have fun,

Bill

[writer100]

There's probably not many out there but if you could find a low mileage (under 100,000 miles) Volvo 240 sedan owned by some old lady, that would be great. Slow, easy to work on, with enough room in the engine bay to swing a cat. It has a completely old-fashioned design, no aerodynamics whatsoever, but a drivetrain and suspension as rugged as a truck. The 240 and its predecessors helped build Volvo's reputation for durability and safety, which I think has been somewhat eroded by its later, more sophisticated models.

I still miss my 1983 240...

[DaveG]

I just wish I had more spare time, and could shake the fear of massive repair shop bills. I'd buy a '98 to avoid the computer/dealer crap.

I need a car that doesn't require constant tinkering to keep it roadworthy. At this point in my lift, a Volvo is probably not that car. Maybe in the future.