We had an AW70 in our '89 wagon, "acting up" so to speak. Found an AW71L in Craigslist for $100 out of a newer 940. The 940 was t-boned, had only 125K original miles on it. Car belonged to the owner of a local and reputable Volvo repair shop. He just wanted get rid of it when he was cleaning up his storeroom where the trans was . He gave me a really good deal on installing it. The 71L works flawlessly, and we can feel the difference. Money well spent. IF you need to replace your AW70 you might also look for a 71L while you are at it. Good luck.

My 90 with an AW70 was decent off the line, but it ran out of steam above about 40 MPH.

There is a positive regarding the AW70. It is an absolutely bulletproof transmission. Sold the 90 at 300k without ever removing the tranny. They can outlast the car - 400k+. Hey, I'm a 5 speed guy, but from my reading here it seems to me that the AW70 has fewer problems than the M45 and M46.

I have a bunch of 240's from 32Kmi mint to beater. Of the five on the road, the only one no one in my family wants to drive is the solo one with an auto. My wife didn't want me to buy it because she knows my distaste for automatics, but, it was too good of a deal to pass up.

I've put about 50 kmi on the automatic and I can say that while it is not a bad car, a 5-speed feels like an entirely different animal. A stick 240 performs better on hills (of which there are many in my area) and it is better in slogging through snow (which there is much of in my area).

Given a choice, I'd by a stick hands down, but, at this point, how much of a choice do you have? And, how can you turn down a clean 240?

An automatic 240 my not be the prom date you want, but she dances well enough and she will give you a goodnight kiss. Just don't expect to get to third base with her.

Rich (near Pittsburgh)

Only choice, if you don't like it change it. You must have seen some latter models on the road. How were they doing?