Hi all,

Just completed a 3000 mile trip from Ontario, Canada to Florida and back in our $500 (+$1000 in parts)93 245. I had the rear wheel well area full of spare parts I didn't need to use. The only issue was some steering wheel shake on braking on the return trip that I suspect is due to a sticking caliper and I had to tighten the AC belt. I left about a litre of oil on US highways due to a rear main seal leak - sorry about that. Gas mileage was excellent despite the car being fully loaded with luggage and passengers - 27 mpg when speed averaged 65-70 mph and 25 mpg when averaging 80 mph (I was surprised how fast traffic moved in Florida and Georgia). What strikes me every time I do a long trip in a 240 is the lack of driver fatigue - I am prone to lower back pain, but experienced none - in my work vehicles (pickups or jeep) I can be sore in 15 minutes of driving. Through the Appalachians we had no problems maintaining speed no matter what the grade. Braking was excellent, but I sure notced the understeer when going too fast down steep grades - is this where suspension upgrades help? Despite preferring a manual transmission, I am very impressed with the AW70 and the cruise control.

Another observation - in 9 days on the road - stops in half a dozen cities - I spotted the following - 2 940 sedans, 2 740 wagons, 2 240 sedans - are the only RWD owners left in the US members of this list or what? Oh yeah, I saw a well used, rust free 245 in Belize City.

And another one - the US is a beautiful country especially if you stay off the bigger interstates. Central North Carolina looks like home except better.

Now I have to work myself up to doing that rear main seal, since it's clear we're going to have this car at least until my oldest son learns to drive in 3 years.

Ron
93 245 with 200k miles
near Brantford, ON, Canada

Interesting trip report!

In my experiences (non-Volvo) steering wheel shake on hard braking has been caused by a cracked rotor. In any case, Volvo recommends against resurfacing rotors and I've found replacement is the only real solution once they are too chewed up or warped.

I'll check the rotors, thanks.

Ron

Hey Ronald,
Take a trip through Austin, Texas and you will see dozens and dozens of 240's and 245's alive and well! Well, alive at the very least. Throw in tons of 740's, 800 and 900 series too.

Something about our Central Texas heat. All things plastic in the 245's tend to get brittle and go bad, but nothing rusts. I guess the opposite of folks up in the Northeast...

So on that note...I will trade a perfectly beautiful 91 245 tailgate for a camel-colored vinyl seat cover and/or a dashboard in good shape!

jason
--
89 245 'loaded' with a Great Pyrenees; 91 245 project

Good to hear there are places with lots of 240s left. I'll keep an eye out for vinyl seat covers although in the frozen north here, we tend to go for cloth.

Ron

Ron,
You know if you run into a pair of cloth front seat covers in tan, I'd probably be able to trade you a selection of salvaged parts from these fine Central Texas 240's here.
Let me know what you're looking for too....
Jason
--
89 245 'loaded' with a Great Pyrenees; 91 245 project

Hi Ron,

That trip report should be an encouragement to everyone to get out and see the country. After our trip to Washington State and back last year in the 86 245, we are dying to get back on the road.

Thanks,
--
Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, www.willdallas.com, www.dallasprecision.com 86 245 DL 222K miles, 93 940 260K miles, 88 765 GLE 152K miles, 88 780 246K miles

Good to hear all went well! The 240 seats are known for their support, and even the ex's 850 never felt quite as comfy after a long drive.

Your comment re the understeer was more likely due to body roll. If you can handle the investment (slightly more than half what you bought the car for!), the IPD sway bars are perhaps the single best suspension mod you can do on a 240. At some point you're have to re-do all the bushings if you haven't already, but you're sure to have a self-satisfied grin on your face after you slap a set of bars on your car.

Of course we will have to send you a bill for $11,496.37 (US funds, please) for environmental cleanup from your oil spill. Please remit promptly to US EPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios Building,1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., Washington, D.C....
--
In God We Trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.

Thanks for the advice. Washington was one of the places we stopped - a very impressive first visit for us. I honestly feel badly about the dripping oil. When I bought the car the oil separator was pretty clogged up and the car was leaking badly through front and rear seals. I fixed the engine vacuum issues and replaced the leaking front cam seal. The rear seal was leaking much less until the last oil change - switching to a "clean engine formula" oil seems to have made the leak worse. I have the new seal, just need to psyche myself up for the job.

Ron

Ron,

Glad to hear about your great trip! Glad to hear that the newest of the ol' 240s is still up to the task! Next time you are in the "central NC area", let us know and we'll meet up, just let me know by email ahead of time.

Plenty of 240s left here in NC... little to no rust. Lots of sun though, so the 740 interiors didn't last very well, ie. more 240s than 740s left.

jorrell
--
92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Thanks for for the offer - I'd move down there given half a chance - beautiful area!

Ron