What my P80's did today to drive me more nuts...!

[Clemens]

Neil, are you serious?

You´re giving up on the last real boxcars?

[abscate]

Just when he thinks he is out, a shiny P80 comes up for sale next door - buy me...buy me...buy me...

and he is back.....

[Clemens]

abscate, you are probably right. And because he loves the challenge it will be in worse condition than the previous ones

[scot850]

Actually did something I thought I would never do. I ignored what others said and took a i6 3.2 07 XC90 for a long test run yesterday courtesy of the dealer. Car had only 96,000km on it (60,000 miles). Ran really well, not the fastest thing out there but not anything like the horrid experience I had in a lower mileage P3 with the same engine. Car cruised nicely, pulled fairly well and was nice an quiet. The XC90 suspension reminds me of our 06 XC70. It is not particularly sophisticated in fact a little on the agricultural side over bumpy roads, but otherwise it ran nice and smoothly. Seat is also a huge improvement on the P2 with more hip and thigh support that is adjustable. It was actually surprising to drive and really not a bad old thing. The main advantage of the 3.2 is that there are way more of them and newer than the 2.5T they replaced. There is a 03 2.5T for sale locally with a clean interior and 150,000km (about 90,000miles) for about $5000 US, but the downer is the current owners bought it recently and have now replaced with a bimmer, but have no service history. Shame, but then it is also an 03....!

I guess if I still want a good turn of speed I may have to keep the 'R'. Maybe.......

Neil.

[precopster]

I drove my 2000 P80 NA wagon totally onto the ground except for changing oil and doing front suspension work. Trims and interior were shot. The new owner snapped the bonnet cable within 15 minutes of ownership. He had no idea what to do and dumped the car. I know this because a letter from a local council asked me to collect it. I rang them to explain. It's probably crushed by now.

I grew to hate the car because of the lack of A/C and the thumping transmission however now that she's gone I find myself actually missing her a lot because she sipped fuel and NEVER broke down in over 100k kilometres of use. The simplicity of the car and the solid timeless design will always be etched in my mind. Sure wish she had fallen into good hands..........

Neil these P80 cars somehow have a spirit that the P2s seem to lack. As they sit neglected in yards they all seem to call: "save me save me Volvofile" and the journey for them begins again.

[scot850]

I am not a fan necessarily of P2's, but our 06 XC70 so far has been not too bad for a 11 year old car. It has needed a few expensive repairs (rear muffler due to a stupid design), rear 4-C shocks and springs (stupid + expensive), and an in-accessible emissions pump. Then there were the 4 sets of front brake rotors early on in about 10,000 miles. However, it fairness to the car, it has been reliable so far with the exception of the failure of the transponder in the keys. The main downside for me is the front seats are lacking in support compared to the P80's. It has also been more reliable with more regular use now our son is driving it, especially on the brake side.

Mike, are you sure I haven't somehow got your old beaten up beater V70 NA? This poor thing has been horribly abused. I'm just hoping once it is running regularly again all the stupid random warning lights stay off!!

Neil.

[scot850]

Talking of giving up on P80's but then how about this old wagon!!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/cit ... nFlag=true

Now that is what I call a challenge and a real Volvo!! LoL

Neil.

[precopster]

I think that is a dead link. You might need to be logged in to see it.

[abscate]

I had to stop reading after seeing a white Jaguar XJ convertible with an automatic transmission - isnt that illegal??

[scot850]

Strange, went to check and you are right it has gone? Weird. Just got an e-mail from the owner this morning saying it was still for sale. What is was supposed to show was a Volvo 1959 PV445 wagon in John Deer green (apparently hand painted) with lots of dings but runs. Always liked those old PV544 Sports, but they are not practical. The car even has a name 'Pickle'. Owner has had the car for about 30 years and is down-sizing. He has owned Volvos since the mid-60's and has had 'hundreds' and was a mechanic. This was to be his retirement project but he and the boss spend winters in Mexico so decided to part with it. It is supposed to be 1/300 sold in North America and 1/12 sold in Canada. Supposedly there re 200/300 still running!

Unfortunately due to imminent vacation starting in a couple of days I can't do anything about it for now. I'll contact him on my return and see if it is still available.

Neil.