I am going to give you the third option you didn't ask for. If you like RWD Volvos, it makes a lot of sense to look for an e30 BMW. It feels just as solid and is as durable, if not more so. Parts are relatively cheap and plentiful. And here's the big distinction: It's a lot more fun to drive. I've owned both (a 242 GT Volvo and an e30 318is), that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
1
2
-
Nov. 23, 2008 10:21 p.m. JohnW New Reader
-
Nov. 23, 2008 10:28 p.m. Lugnut Reader
Meh. Maybe I just got sick of the BMW thing but I really like the feel and overall solidness of my 740 over all the E30s I've had.
Anyway, I'm one step closer to my 5 speed Vic. I got the manual pedal assembly in but the clutch quadrant doesn't clear. I'm going to have to smash the firewall a bit for that extra bit of clearance, but now it is time for True Blood.
-
Nov. 23, 2008 10:35 p.m. walterj HalfDork
How in the world did you boil it down to... P-71 or box of Volvo? LOL... I know nothing about either but it reads like "I would like some fruit. Does anyone know what I should choose... Star Fruit vs pomegranate?"
Conventional fruit be damned!
-
Nov. 24, 2008 12:28 a.m. kilgoretrout New Reader
Let me see if I can help. I just picked up a nice and cheap E30 to join my Miata and 945T. Now I have too many cars and I'm having real troubles with selling the Brick (that's the obvious one to go, right?). In fact I'm thinking about selling the Miata or E30 and keeping the Volvo
.
However CVs can be cool (perhaps a little over-rated on this board). Maybe an all black (or rattle can black) P-71 with tinted windows, a pushbar, lowered on black rims, with the right exhaust.
-
Nov. 24, 2008 2:15 p.m. Salanis SuperDork
What kind of towing capability does a turbo brick have? Could it be used to tow a miata/civic/rx7 on an open trailer?
-
Nov. 24, 2008 2:20 p.m. P71 HalfDork
Um, have you seen a CV/MGM engine bay? It's HUGE! That V8 looks small in there. I have no problems working on it.
-
Nov. 24, 2008 2:29 p.m. patgizz Dork
except starters - they suck to get to the top bolt on unless you get a fancy ratchet like i got that has a repositionable head. but the alternator is right there on top and everything else is accessible, and if they didn't have that "crash bracket" the intake manifold would be a 20 minute job. now that i threw out that bracket it would be.
the scary thing about the 4.6 looking small in the panther engine bay is that is a wide freaking engine relative to the typical 302 or sbc i'm used to.
-
Nov. 24, 2008 6:37 p.m. Lugnut Reader
Salanis wrote:
What kind of towing capability does a turbo brick have? Could it be used to tow a miata/civic/rx7 on an open trailer?
I found this in the 1986 Volvo press/dealer kit.
Trailer Boats Magazine recently awarded the Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon its "Tow Vehicle Award" naming it the best in the 2,000-3,500 lb. Class II towing category. Trailer Boats' editor said the 740 Turbo Wagon was "an outstanding automobile in many ways." With its 3,300 lb. towing capacity and a 2.3 liter turbocharged intercooled four-cylinder engine, "it's premise is based on performance, with extra luxury and unusual comfort." Trailer Boats' editor goes on to say, "It's without a doubt the finest station wagon of its size we've ever driven."
Still not as much as the Panthers can tow, but pretty decent for 2.3 liters.
-
Nov. 24, 2008 10:57 p.m. Duende Reader
ignorant wrote:
P71 wrote:
OK, I quit. I'd get this $3500 Volvo...
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/927659217.html
I love amazons. There was one in the Baltimore( I think) with a rat rod paint job and smoothie stainless wheels. It had a fuel injected B engine in it with a cam and a full IPD suspension. The guy ran it in autocross. If anyone can find pictures of it... That car is hot.
I agree with P71 and ignorant on this one - and oh my god, are those two agreeing? Haha.
I don't know how to insert images, but here's the car you were looking for. That black Amazon.
http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?t=12204
-
Nov. 24, 2008 10:58 p.m. Duende Reader
And it's for sale, 4k OBO.
-
Nov. 24, 2008 11:05 p.m. Lugnut Reader
That is SO AWESOME!
-
Nov. 25, 2008 7:44 a.m. patgizz Dork
i can almost see the baby merc resemblence with the satin one. needs whitewalls.
-
Nov. 25, 2008 8:56 a.m. belteshazzar Dork
If it was me, since I already have the p71(and am in love with btw), I'd get a volvo to try something different. People seem to like 'em. I know I miss my SVO for the ability to simply turn up the wick.
-
Nov. 25, 2008 9:18 a.m. P71 HalfDork
Maybe I'll just add a turbo to the P71...
-
Nov. 25, 2008 9:32 a.m. belteshazzar Dork
too many used mustang superchargers floating around. At half the cost and 1/5th the work to install.
