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What would you get?
I have an 88 245, and mechanically it's awesome, but the interior is pretty much trashed. I wouldn't mind having a second car (especially if this one is in the shop, as I'm using it to commute). This one is a road veteran, currently having a cracked windshield, an unreliable wiper motor and makes a screeching noise when I accelerate from a dead stop (screeching goes away after a few moments). The passenger side door is broken, the passenger seat belt doesn't work either. Nothing major, but a lot of little issues that need to be addressed.
I've only had 245 Volvo wagons for the last 20 years so I can't even imagine owning another car. But just for fun I'm exploring the world outside the 245.
Criteria:
I like: reliable, simple - mine is a low maintenance vehicle. I'd love to find a well-maintained later model (92?) 245 with leather interior, but that may be a pipe dream.
I live in a high car-theft city, and high car-theft neighborhood, so I'm looking towards things that are either hard to steal, or for whatever reason not preferred by car thiefs (no Subarus, they seem to constantly get stolen around here).
Thinking used BMW/Mercedes - I've heard there are a couple series that are not super pricey to fix, and can be found for sub 10K. I like that the Volvo was a 'luxury' car so it made me think about other luxury carmakers in considering another vehicle. Other than that I'm at a loss.
Any suggestions! Thanks, Susan
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Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)
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Another suggestion:
A 2003-2005 VW Passat (b5.5 model is what you want, nothing newer)
For almost 3 years my daily driver has been a 2002 VW Passat wagon. I have put about 90,000 miles on this car. It now has 191k. It has started EVERY time and is utterly dependable. Being a VW, I have fixed a couple of odd problems such as a clogged heater core and broken windshield wipers but for the most part it has been just tires, brakes etc...
My brother has a 2004 which now has 243k on it. Original engine, transmission and even clutch!! I have talked with many who say these cars, like some Volvos, will run forever. Know of cars that have 300k or even 400k on them.
This era Passat is a sleeper. Classic good looks. Is somewhat luxurious without being ostentatious. Basically an Audi as it was built on the Audi A4 and A6 frame from the same era. Many of the same parts so it is solidly built and tight. I mean tight - 16 years old, almost 200k and no rattles. Car rides and handles better than any Volvo I've driven. Very peppy too with a turbo 4 cylinder engine yet the car also exudes a workhorse feel to it like a 240! 6 cylinder engine available as an option. Good safety ratings too.
Basically a safe, dependable, tough and fun car. Very simple compared to today's cars. And it ain't no Golf or Jetta!! I also like that it is a little different - kind of like a Saab used to be...
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I'm just seeing this thread - thanks for this suggestion! I hadn't thought about VW much but they do seem rather Volvo-like in longevity. I'm going all in on the Volvo (doing lots of fixes this year) but keeping an eye out in case something unexpected occurs.
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Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)
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I was thinking VW now they are so cheap to pick up, but, it has become mandatory to have the software updated, and I don't want that.
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Diesel engines (TDI) from 2009-15 are the recalled cars and the only ones requiring a software update.
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That's just the newer diesel engine cars. All the gas engines and older diesel engines are fine. No software update needed. Their gas turbo 4 and early TDI engines are both fun and run forever if maintained.
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I went through this. It was very hard. And very painful. I bought a 5 series BMW. While definitely a different car, the heavier more utilitarian look and feel - with true handling abilities - worked for me. It is a drive it like you hate it car too. And the one I bought was one of the last E60's made.
And, contrary to some comments, it is actually fairly easy to work on and maintain, in spite of being a far more advanced car. Gas mileage is also quite good, better than any Merc out there. It's also been reliable.
But.....you will NOT be able to go frugal on parts or maintenance. Yes, many parts are quite reasonable, and about the same as a Volvo of the same vintage - true! - but it is not a 240 package. You must care for it. Do not neglect it. It will cost you dearly. These cars do not forgive you like the beloved 240s did.
I have been happy with my swap. It's worked for me. I suggest keeping the 245 for the pet haulers, and find a well maintained used BMW for the rest of the time. I think it will work.
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Thank you! BMW is a good looking car & I have heard they handle great. I'm giving the Volvo lots of energy this year and if I can get a few things going (leaking roof rack + get the a/c going) then I'll continue with it for the foreseeable future. I just put in new windshield, new wiper motor, new tail lights and found some trim to replace broken door trim. If I can get a new e-brake console & the other stuff fixed it'll be a practically new car!
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Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)
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One of my daughters eschewed the 240 path, plunking down for a new E46 in 2002. She loves it. Yes, she still drives it daily after 16 years. I get to see it when we change the oil together. After 7 years she had to replace the battery. Her dad didn't even know where to find it.
It looks new to me, probably because it is garaged. Her mom likes it too, maybe hoping we'll get it when she decides to move on from this 3-series.
I agree with you on the maintenance, but the BMW community on line is full of people like those on the Brickboard, serious DIY mechanics. No shortage of technical information like you find with some marques.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore
What? Me post in Opinions??
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Hi Art!
I didn't see my original post til today, so missed all the good suggestions.
For right now I'm committed to fixing up the 245 - windshield is fixed, new wiper motor, new taillights & I just pulled new headlights from the junkyard that just needed to be de-yellowed.
However, I'm seriously thinking the older BMWs might be a way to go if/when the time comes.
I just got a new job & now that I have a little extra cash I'm finding I definitely want to put it into the Volvo. Heck, the seat heaters still work, that's gotta count for something.
Thanks!
Susan
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Emperor for Life - Leaky Volvo Club of America (LVCOA)
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What year is your 5 series? I too have heard that some older BMW's are reasonable to maintain. Do you know which ones?
OTOH - Everyone I've talked with has said that Mercedes are ridiculously expensive to maintain. Count on dropping a grand every time you bring it to a shop for service.
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I agree, no to Mercedes. Over engineered, hard to maintain, very costly, and they are prone to rust.
A BMW is 'fun' to drive, but stay away from the V8 engines as they are maintenance nightmares waiting to break.
The newer (2002-2004) Volvos have computer problems. If you have the computers repaired, they don't fail again. But if you have the dealer replace them with new units, those will fail in 5-10 years and that is an expensive item.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Agreed, another newer 245 would be 'comfortable'. But, I would ask your mechanic if he has any ideas, you might be surprised.
I took a look at Craigslist for Volvos under $5,000 and this came up:
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/2003-volvo-v70-wagon/6519687290.html
It is a hike to get to Longview, but at under $4,000???
OR, this gem for $3,000:
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/1993-volvo-240-turbo/6492785147.html
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Hi Susan,
Just wanted to let you know your question is tough. Beyond my ability to answer, as if anyone would think that was a measure of how tough. ;)
Once you ruled out a Subaru, which is what seems the most common next act, given the longevity bent and dogs in the ads, I can only think of one possibility for you. Another 245.
Not cheap any more, but some folks are doing decent restorations for sale. Check out wagonmeister on your side of the world, or 15A on turbobricks. My opinion is you won't find anything on this side of the turn of the century that won't have you making a lot of sad compromises. But any nice car is theft-prone, isn't it?
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Art Benstein near Baltimore
People who live on that "New Car Smell" and have their Credit Score memorized better than their own birthday will ALWAYS say you're Crazy. -punk240 Tim
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