Thanks for the suggestion and offer Kitty. I had gone to that page and logged in but clicking on the email button resulted in nothing happening--besides which--I have yet to ever connect with other BB'ers through this system.
I'm not looking for any specific model Volvo--something cheap to see me through the winter. The 1980 245/M46 I've been driving since 2000 drives OK - motor and suspension fine--tranny has a minor issue but works. Now it's at a point that the things it needs to make it safe and reliable in winter are mounting - sand blasted windshield - no longer has a lever at the valve to turn on the heat (broke off altogether the last time I "turned" the heat off) - patched together exhaust now needs complete front to back renewal - fuel pump seeps at the seam - frame rails solid but floor is rotted at the outer edge on the driver's side. It's all just too much work to invest in a car worth less than $300. We have a very nice 2002 S40 to drive but the 245 has been the "truck" -- and a mighty one at that!
I have no garage so have to work in the driveway. The Oldsmobile 215 V8 and T5 gearbox in the '93 245 project has made strides but still has a ways to go--and now it's too cold/wet/windy to devote the time to it.
I may have to mount a "cat-back" exhaust and then have a muffler shop weld a pipe from what's left of my front downpipe to the front muffler. In fact, in writing this note I may have convinced myself this would be the best way to see it through the winter -- but who knows? --something might come along, maybe. -- Dave