On Christmas day I was sitting at the dinner table eating a fine meal with my family and some family friends that we have known for 30 years. Just outside the kitchen window sat my 1987 Volvo 240 wagon.

I grew up in an upper middle class suburb of Houston and nobody keeps a car more than 10 years in that demographic. Between mouthfuls of turkey, the breadwinner of the family friends dining with us said, "wow, still in the old Volvo, are you?"

The seemingly rhetorical question hung in the air and his tone was a confusing mix of what I hoped was both admiration for the skillset needed to keep an older car on the road and also what I feared was a pity for what is perceived to be low income pennypinching. I really get this impression from parent figures--folks who are in their 50s and 60s or beyond, who aspired to the dream of better wealth than their parents, and are surprised to see the next generation not aspire to achieve an even higher economic rung. The whole impression really seems like a tired cliche, now that I think of it.

Among my other thirtysomething friends, who all drive VW Jettas and Honda Civics manufactured in the last five years, I sense our old Volvo 240 habit is regarded as "quaint" but is also met with admiration for the way it brings me in touch with the vehicle.

I didn't really have any direction or particular quest for feedback with this post--but I was jogging my memory on the holiday and thinking about the other thread involving Volvo becoming a Chinese company and I thought I would lay out my feelings. This 240 wagon is something I feel good about and I wanted to talk about it.

Respond as you see fit, or not at all. Thanks for reading.

kourt
87 245
Austin, TX

PS [technical content] I installed the Reflectix insulation in the ceiling and inside the door panels last month, and this car is now quieter and warmer than ever! Too bad--now I can really hear those bad bushings.