I missed out on a volvo 242....: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 15, 2010 9:53 a.m. mrwillie Reader

b/c I forgot to send the email before I left work on fri.

The seller wanted $350 and said he was gonna take it to the scrap yard today. Work was really hectic last week, and of course I waited around this weekend for an email from the seller. I get in this am and realized that I never hit the send on the email. A running, titled rough-looking 1981 242 w/ parts for $350... and of course the ad has been taken down today. I keep kicking myself and trying to convinence myself that it wasn't meant to be, and that we really didn't have the extra money to buy it, that I really don't like them anyway, etc, etc...its not working yet.

Has this ever happened to you?? And along the same lines, someone tell me how bad a car they are and that I'm better off w./o it...please???
Feb. 15, 2010 10:03 a.m. Carson Dork

You're better off without it!

I emailed that guy too, never heard back though. Like I need another car, what was I doing on CL anyway?
Feb. 15, 2010 10:26 a.m. savestheday New Reader

Pm'ed you. I have one that I would be willing to get rid of.
Feb. 15, 2010 10:29 a.m. mrwillie Reader

I REALLY need to stay away from CL for awhile. But I guess if no one returns emails, it wouldn't matter anyway.
Feb. 15, 2010 10:39 a.m. Ian F Dork

mrwillie wrote: Has this ever happened to you?? And along the same lines, someone tell me how bad a car they are and that I'm better off w./o it...please???

yeah... it's happened a few times... I just found out the other day that a Volvo 1800ES I was interested was already sold... because I procrastinated on contacting the owner when I knew it was still available... but like you, I have a lack of money and space right now...

The biggest kicker was the Mini that I missed by one freakin' day...
Feb. 15, 2010 11:41 a.m. kreb Dork

So what are the characteristics that make the 242 desireable for you guys? Serious question. I'm ignorant on their virtues.
Feb. 15, 2010 12:05 p.m. mrwillie Reader

Personally, I like the way it looks( I kinda like the wagons too, for that matter ), and from what I've read and seen they seem pretty easy to work on w/ cheap parts. Cheap, easy-to-modify and RWD... not a bad combo, IMHO. And if you get a wagon, it can haul a bunch of crap, too.
Feb. 15, 2010 9:47 p.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader

I did that with this white 944 I found. I watched it for over a month. It was perfect. Low mileage, decent interior, clean CARFAX, and at a good price. When I finally emailed the guy, it was sold. And as if to taunt me, the ad still comes up on Autotrader. Such pain.
Feb. 15, 2010 10:13 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

How about a mint 1969 Volvo 144S

http://www.norcalroadsters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5565
Feb. 15, 2010 10:21 p.m. Nitroracer Dork

Had the same thing happen to me over the last two weeks with three different maxima. Someone else just wanted them more than me.
Feb. 15, 2010 11:27 p.m. mrwillie Reader

In reply to amg_rx7:

That's noice...real noice.
Feb. 16, 2010 9:34 p.m. NGTD HalfDork
kreb wrote:

So what are the characteristics that make the 242 desireable for you guys? Serious question. I'm ignorant on their virtues.

Here is my list:
- They have an engine bay that will fit almost anything short of a RR Merlin, turbo 4's, SBC, SBF, Supra 6 bangers, etc.
- They are tough, made of nice thick swedish steel.
- They are RWD!
- They made thousands of them, so you can find parts.
- In the world of melted soap cars - they are a box!
- They are old enough that you can work on them without worrying about ECU this, PCM that, etc.