Driving along solo, doing mundane errands, late at night, I suddenly get inspired to wind-out the wagon on the 401. Screaming on the on-ramp in second at about 80 or 90 kmh, I slip into third, skirt across a couple of lanes and I'm at 120/130, pop into fifth and I'm loafing along at 140.

11 year-old car solid as a rock and looking good, I hit the off-ramp only hitting the brakes when necessary. (Front rotors a tad warped - shudder shudder). 1st gear, exiting the highway, turn the 90 degree corner, stuff flopping around in the cargo area - riding on tired Nokias - no body roll, total confidence. Scream to redline in first, second, slam on the brakes for one of those drasted red lights, b230f idling like a massey-ferguson tractor and realize - I hope to God I never buy a minivan.

This is not the first time this has happened to me.

What will I do if the 740 ever dies? Don't tell me an 850 or V70 can do the same thing as a rear-wheel drive 7 or 9 series.

Sigh........ain't life grand!

Since I put Bilstiens and IPD bars with the urethane bushings on my old wagon, I can't get enough of those 90mph sweepers. Although I lost a hubcap recently doing the four wheel drift, the price of replacement was small compared to the thrill. 153,000 and she still runs like a dream.

I DO sometimes wish she had a turbo, but don't you dare tell her that!

bruce

If you ever park your car shiny side down or
are attacked by a tree or deer or suv, and
are forced to look for another car, just buy
another car just like the one you have now.
You may even want to buy another one just like
the one you have now, before you have to
replace your beloved. As of now, in 2002, it
is still relatively easy to buy a good, solid,
reliable 140 or 122. These cars are 25-35
years old. There is little reason to worry
about how hard it will be to replace something
as young as a 7xx or 9xx car. And they're
only getting cheaper.
chris

Interesting story, it is amazing what these volvos can do:

Driving north on the Taconic in NY, a 765t pulls up alongside my 745t. Speeds begin to increase, cars are running parallel. The next thing you know we are running full out at 120mph in the bricks. I began to edge out with the speedometer pinned (I didn't know to that point it was possible to pin it) when I hear my engine suddenly whine like a tired mare. Hint taken from the redline response of the old girl, I backed down to a comfortable 75mph.

Never had a problem from the girl since then, although I sometimes wonder what that high pitched whine was. Maybe it was the hidden mad max "v8 interceptor" element of the 700, hidden by the designers and activated when the volvo hits the displayed maximum speed... I should have kept going. ;)

I often think of my brick like the ancient martial arts master... he rarely needs to show his true power, but has got it in spares. BTW, this was in an '85 when it was 13 years old.

-Rick

I don't fear the future, but man I hear ya. Love that rush.
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88 765 w/2stage boost & G-valve @ 14 psi

I'm not worried about the future, but man do I hear ya. Love that rush.

My exit off 401 is yonge north, from 401 west, it's a lefthand, two lane sweeper under the highway, 90k is hardly pushing it, zipping past BMWs and such doing 60k, (in my 88 turbo wagon).
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88 765 w/2stage boost & G-valve @ 14 psi

Yeah, I know that one. Gotta slam on the binders to merge with Yonge street, though, especially a few months ago when they were working on the subway and yonge/sheppard was a parking lot.

It's way better now (yonge/shep) but like south yonge to 401 west ramp (if you let er go) you have to brake hard to merge with traffic if you don't want to rear end anyone.
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88 765 w/2stage boost & G-valve @ 14 psi