Volvo 240 as a winter beater...

...horrible idea?

There's a couple on local CL well within my budget (aka, they're $300). I'm looking for a Saab because, well, that's what I know.... but something tells me an '84 Volvo can't be too difficult.

Weighs roughly the same as my 9000 Aero, but with l well under half the power. Can't imagine the RWDness would be too horrible? Granted I do drive 90 miles/day in mountainous Vermont surrounded by idiots...

Thoughts?

Edit: It should be noted that it'd probably spend most of its time on studded Hakkas... with a little bit on bolt tires...

Thats a long drive to white knuckle it in a RWD sled. On the other hand for $300 you could bounce it off a few mountains and leave it in the ditch and not be out much more than the cost of the tires. Bonus points if its a wagon.

With decent modern winter tires in a classic width, you ought to be fine, from anything I've ever heard. I mean, Sweden does have the occasional snowfall, after all. Also, I understand Volvos have great heaters, which is another big consideration.

I drove 240s for years. In Michigan. In winter. With 4 snow tires; studs are illegal.

Did I ever wipe? Sure, but never hard - never damaged the car or myself.

Buy it, love it, learn lessons about car control.

It would be great car for winter.

RWD rocks in the winter if you know how to drive and have good tires. It's a comfy car that's reliable to start with, so you're 7/8ths of the way there to a great winter car. The rest is in the tires.

I drove a 242 turbo for a winter car, it was great. I put cooper snow tires on it. It went anywhere with less than 15" of snow. If you keep your speed up it will bust drifts headlight high. Now I want another one.

Sounds like a good winter car to me.

Slow enough to keep you out of trouble.
Strong enough if the above statement is proven wrong.

pilotbraden wrote: I drove a 242 turbo for a winter car, it was great. I put cooper snow tires on it. It went anywhere with less than 15" of snow. If you keep your speed up it will bust drifts headlight high. Now I want another one.

Totally second the cooper snows - way under-rated.

Stealthtercel wrote: With decent modern winter tires in a classic width, you ought to be fine, from anything I've ever heard. I mean, Sweden does have the occasional snowfall, after all. Also, I understand Volvos have great heaters, which is another big consideration.

Good heaters is an understatement, my 740 will burn you out within 3 minutes of firing it up. Sorry, can't tell you if they're any good in snow, i bought my 740 turbo wagon this spring, so I've yet to find out.

Jacques

RWD is fine in the snow, though the 240 can definitely benefit from a couple bags of sand in the trunk. My E34 is about the same size and weight and it's nothing but good times on bad roads with snow tires. Really almost as good as my Passat if you use your head.

Last few years I've had the Hankook w409 on my cars and they're unbelievably good.

If you want to wait, I'll be able to tell you what its like when the first snowfall hits this year. I finally got the non-rust perforated struts put on the 242 GLT. Coupled with the brand new winters, it should be a blast to beat on :D

2 series cars are much better in the snow than the later 7 & 9 series cars. The weight distribution on the 7 & 9's was waaay to the front. It's to the point where it's recommended to put a stand under the front end if you were removing most anything on the rear using a lift.

Good food for thought here. My only concern is my total lack of experience with RWD in any situation. But, hey, empty parking lots aren't THAT hard to come by....

You guys are pretty much thinking what I was; slow, built like a brick, and cheap enough to not care. If it works out THAT badly I can always ditch it and get something else...

I have owned a 240 wagon for 4 years now, and I live in the snow belt. with four good snow tires (I use Hankooks) I have never, ever been stuck. And I purposely go out in the crazy stuff. If it's a sedan you may need to put some sand in the back to even things out. IIRC, the wagon has near 50/50, but do not quote me on that.

Almost forgot: with RWD, you drive with the gas pedal in the snow. Practice in an empty parking lot modulating the throttle.

thestig99 wrote: slow, built like a brick

Whatever you do, don't start reading at turbobricks. It won't be slow for long

mmmmm lincoln locker mmmmmm

^I do want to make sure my 240, if I get one (probably looking at one for $250 w/ a bunch of extra parts on Saturday) is a galactic POS, so as to remove that temptation.

Plus, that's what this is for (unless I decide to sell it for a c900)

No problems with a 240 in the snow. Drove mine daily for 13 years and never got stuck. Use 4 quality snow tires, as described above. You may find yourself driving at odd angles sometimes, but that's just the way the car works.

I'm going to rock a 850 this winter. It's a nice car.