So I totaled my Accord. Good riddance to the fucking shitheap. In all reality I can't bitch about a car that made it to 225k with no major problems. But it rather bored the fuck out of me.

So now I've decided on something European...against my better judgment and the pleas of my father to buy another goddamn Japanese car. He said Corolla. Camry. Anything but some quirky German car. I told him to fuck himself. Well, I wasn't quite that rude. But damn if I didn't feel like telling him.

So, what to get? Something reliable, fun, yet utilitarian. Ultimately, I think that'll be a Volvo V70 R. But goddammit, they're not easy to find. I did find an S60 R that I might be able to afford. Sadly, I can't afford much.

TWW...kindly assist a nigga with advice or whatever.

10/28/2012 1:45:07 AM

buy my 540 for $cheap
however, i believe this is the car you seek
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3340658599.html

10/28/2012 2:15:24 AM

Nic, what's funny is that the 540 is one car that my dad and I talked about...namely, that I'd love to have one IF I had disposable income to flush down the shitter on repairs. The car intrigues me.

And yessir, that is the car I seek. I find it horrifying that that particular specimen made it into the hands of such a toolbag. Alas, I have no desire to drive to DC to take a chance on an iffy car with body damage. Unless you'd like to hang out and get shitfaced.

10/28/2012 9:33:29 AM

Budget? Are you talking about a new car with a payment or buying something used in cash?

10/28/2012 10:05:42 AM

Quote :

"Something reliable, fun, yet utilitarian"

My Z06 is for sale, will swallow a couple of suitcases and a duffel or two in the trunk, and has a trailer hitch.

10/28/2012 10:29:12 AM

Quote :

"First off it is a super fast car its got a turbo so your always going to win off the line.. i havee beaten 2012 chargers and mustangs with this car"

teehee

my co-worker has fallen in love with his 850 Turbo after I convinced him to try a few wastegate tricks

10/28/2012 10:29:22 AM

How much are you looking to spend?

10/28/2012 10:38:59 AM

yeah man, i'll get trashed with you. my 540i recently had the entire cooling system replaced and the bushings/ball joints/flex joints replaced by ahmet. could use rear control arms

there are 3 or 4 examples of v70r's up here but that one was DIRT cheap and seemed like it could be mint without seeing time in your garage for <3500

10/28/2012 11:26:09 AM

Quote :

"buy my 540 for $cheap however, i believe this is the car you seek http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3340658599.html"

LOL@Description:

Quote :

" i havee beaten 2012 chargers and mustangs with this car.. its got about 250hp brand new and can reach 60 mph in like 5 seconds."

LOLOLOLOL. It may have 250 HP, but it's a heavy ass car. The more realistic times I read for that car is 7.2 seconds on 0-60... It's not bad, but it's no 5 seconds.

10/28/2012 12:30:52 PM

My car has no issues with beating Chargers and Mustangs off the line or anywhere else. You probably should buy it so I can go buy a pussy-ass Insight or something.

(and maybe add a big cam and headers sometime. 400 whp will help with circulation, erectile dysfunction, and other middle-aged maladies).

10/28/2012 2:04:39 PM

Well, after a really bad last 3 years, I'm severely credit challenged. I know that buying a car is a good way to rebuild, but about the only folks that would float me would be the buy here pay here folks, and we know what kind of borderline illegal usury they resort to.

A few other obligations puts me down to the 3500 range. I could possibly go up to 4000 if absolutely necessary. Doesn't get me much.

10/28/2012 3:43:38 PM

Volvo is garbage. Not reliable and I don't even consider it European if it is made past 90s. Every S60 owner I knew just complained how unreliable they are.
I'd stick to Japanese if you drive a lot and budget is limited.. 540i is a great car, but negative camber in the back eats through tires. Part of it why it handles so good, but do you want to replace rear tires every 15k? Im sure you can do all kind of DIY but are probably tired of it no?

Forget euro and buy yourself stick shift subaru. Older WRX, outback or similar variety.

If you are really set on euro, then get a clean, low mileage e36.

[Edited on October 28, 2012 at 4:06 PM. Reason : f]

10/28/2012 4:01:10 PM

Opinion much? Need a rabies shot?

10/28/2012 5:23:59 PM

They can take some of the camber out with an alignment, they usually just shoot for the middle of the spec'd range and you get that negative camber. ask them to get it as close to 0 as they can.

10/28/2012 5:33:45 PM

not sure what the fuck you expected other than opinion?

10/28/2012 5:55:17 PM

Leads, choadpiper. Where to look. Or if you know someone who knows someone who knows someone with God privileges or the like.

Do you not know who you're talking to? I do have an idea about what's junk and what isn't. Why do you think I've owned nothing but Japanese (with the SuperDodge exception) for the last 20 years? Have you been driving for half that long? And I've worked on a little bit of everything including new and old vulvas and bimmers.

But the beauty of this country is that you and I have the right to get into a pissing/bitchmoan/dick wagging contest at will. Opine at will.

10/28/2012 6:16:25 PM

How about a big ass E320 wagon ($2,784 but it's a scum sucking dealer). They're HUGE http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/3347652267.html Lots of miles though.


Or a 2003 Passat Wagon? Loaded, leather, looks nice. My mom had a 04 v6 Passat sedan and it was a fine car. $3,800


Even better than all this eurotrash - a 1989 Olds Wagon. 127k miles, $1,750, 307 v8.

10/28/2012 7:01:46 PM

Quote :

"LOLOLOLOL. It may have 250 HP, but it's a heavy ass car. The more realistic times I read for that car is 7.2 seconds on 0-60... It's not bad, but it's no 5 seconds."

Nah, it's definitely a 5 second car. Even the regular FWD 850 Turbo wagon could easily hit 60 in less than 7. Not sure what your definitely of heavy ass is, but this car is not, especially compared to the fatties sold these days.

Good luck with the search Dan. My parents had a V70 with the light pressure turbo (loads of torque down low but ultimately only 190 hp) and I loved driving that car. I was really bummed when they replaced it with a newer nonturbo V70. Ugh.

[Edited on October 28, 2012 at 7:07 PM. Reason : k]

10/28/2012 7:07:09 PM

Just came across this.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3365912991.html

$2500, 1997 diesel Passat Wagon, 5-spd. Needs bodywork. Depends on what your idea of fun is.

10/28/2012 7:24:56 PM

I've got a Corolla with your name on it. Seriously. You just have to clear it with a mutual associate.

10/28/2012 7:53:43 PM

Quote :

"reliable, fun, yet utilitarian"

for $4000? that's not much... I was going to suggest a Mazda 3

how about this:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3351467966.html

[Edited on October 28, 2012 at 8:15 PM. Reason : n/m not turbo ]

10/28/2012 8:15:20 PM

Quote :

"Leads, choadpiper. Where to look. Or if you know someone who knows someone who knows someone with God privileges or the like. Do you not know who you're talking to? I do have an idea about what's junk and what isn't. Why do you think I've owned nothing but Japanese (with the SuperDodge exception) for the last 20 years? Have you been driving for half that long? And I've worked on a little bit of everything including new and old vulvas and bimmers. But the beauty of this country is that you and I have the right to get into a pissing/bitchmoan/dick wagging contest at will. Opine at will."

Your fatass is more car savvy than everybody on this board, so I doubt you need leads or schooling. You know where to look and what to look. Haven't been driving 20 years, but have been driving euros for last 10 years, so Im giving you opinion.

Knowing you had that POS old integra for half a century leads me to believe you'd like something lighter than 4000lb 540i or garbage, boring volvo. It is european buick at best. Hence e36. It is light, cheap, good on gas, parts are cheap and a bit of repairs that it needs you can with your eyes closed. So quite your bitching and forget about volvo.

10/28/2012 8:54:04 PM

find a '91-'96 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L. i'm telling you the jeep can't be killed. i drive the shit out of mine daily and it won't quit. granted it sounds like the axles will fall out from underneath it at any time when i hit a bump but that's to be expected with now 428K on the clock. other than the fuel pump needing replacement (internal check valve is gone allowing fuel to drain back to the tank causing excessive crank time) the thing still runs perfect. original transmission, too.

10/28/2012 9:31:14 PM

Quote :

"Nah, it's definitely a 5 second car."

Care to show me where you find that? Everything I have seen shows that it is a 6 second car at best (and that's for the 2004 model).

From here, they're saying 7-8 second range for a 98 is what you should expect:

http://v70r.com/forums/topic/1745-volvo-v70-r-awd-1998/

Quote :

"May the caps lock be your friend! The '98 R AWD came with 238bhp IIRC. The motor is a 2.3l HPT with a mitsu Tdo4hl-16T turbo. I do not recall what the 0-60 is but it is probably in the 7-8sec. range. "

Quote :

"First welcome to the Forum, boomboom. Second, there is no reason to shout! Please leave your Caps Lock button off. I am guessing you are from Europe since the US did not offer a manual transmission on the 1998 V70R AWD. The 98 V70R engine was a 2.3L rated at 236 Hp."

http://v70r.com/forums/topic/2755-what-is-a-real-v70r/

Quote :

"Phase 1 :- were produced in 1997 and 1998 (P - S reg)and were available with either the B5234T-4 engine (18T turbo 250bhp/350nm)and 5-speed manual gearbox or the B5234T-6 engine (16T turbo 240bhp/310nm) and 4-speed 3 mode automatic gearbox. Both engines used the Motronic 4.4 engine management system. (0-60 7.3/8.1, 152/143mph)"

What's in bold is what was sold in the US as we only had the AWD with an automatic tranny.

Either way, it's not a 5 second car. Now, if the guy did modifications to it, that's one thing. But he didn't lead on to say that it did.

The curb weight of the V70R AWD is a few pounds shy of 3600 lbs. For a midsize, is is about 200 lbs heavier than most midsize sedans that are currently out there.

10/28/2012 9:33:30 PM

No one cares, stop trolling

10/28/2012 10:16:40 PM

If you must go German, I concur with the E36 idea.

10/28/2012 10:46:08 PM

^^ Facts aren't trolling.

10/28/2012 11:54:12 PM

I don't need a 5 second car. Don't really need an 8 second car. I prefer to keep my license and those of you who've ridden with me know I'd find that incredibly hard to do. This rental Maxima stays at 6500 rpms an awful lot.

I'd really like an estate car. And there aren't too many to be found. E36 was never available stateside as an estate, though the E39 is...and I love them. But the goddamned things are out of my budget.

V70s, however, are plentiful, and I can work on them rather easily.

Oh. NMSJ for motherfucking sure. Car feels cheap. I kind of like the cvt though.

[Edited on October 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM. Reason : NMSJ]

10/29/2012 12:17:12 AM

I can't fucking stand the cvt

NMSJ

10/29/2012 6:01:13 AM

You have to admit it's entertaining to see the tach needle hanging out near redline while the car builds momentum.

10/29/2012 7:52:03 AM

Quote :

"find a '91-'96 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L. i'm telling you the jeep can't be killed. i drive the shit out of mine daily and it won't quit. granted it sounds like the axles will fall out from underneath it at any time when i hit a bump but that's to be expected with now 428K on the clock. other than the fuel pump needing replacement (internal check valve is gone allowing fuel to drain back to the tank causing excessive crank time) the thing still runs perfect. original transmission, too. "

nothing like the sound of a 4.0 banging the rev limiter for no reason other than making it moan [insert ECORS video from youtube]

10/29/2012 8:23:40 AM

i miss mine :-(

stoopid spun rod bearing.

10/29/2012 9:08:45 AM

Referencing forums eh? I couldn't find any specs yet on the V70 R but the 850 R is mentioned a bit on Wiki.

Quote :

"The T-5R was renowned as a sleeper car; despite its boxy, understated appearance, it boasted a drag coefficient of 0.29 and was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8-6.5 seconds (depending on transmission and body type). The top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h). The vehicle came standard with Pirelli P-Zero tires, providing lateral grip of 0.88 g. The engine tuning was co-developed with Porsche, as was the transmission and other powertrain components. Porsche also aided in designing some of the interior, such as the Alcantara seat inserts"

The V70R did weigh a bit more, but it also had more power. I'll dig up my old car magazines for test data

[Edited on October 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM. Reason : k]

10/29/2012 10:14:59 AM

i think the poor reliability of most volvos come from the origninal owners not knowing how to maintain a turbo vehicle.

shit can't go 40k on oil like their old Camry could.

10/29/2012 10:29:30 AM

My parents first Volvo wagon, a 240 Turbo, did okay. They sold it with around 100k on it and I believe the 2nd owner (someone my parents knew) had to get the turbo replaced about a year later. Their second one, V70 LPT was a leased vehicle so they only had it 3 years.

[Edited on October 29, 2012 at 10:57 AM. Reason : single, not double]

10/29/2012 10:55:45 AM

Well another problem area is the Aisin AW55 auto tranny in the 01 and 02 years. Primarily valve body wear because Volvo, just like everybody else, calls it fill-for-life under regular maintenance schedule. What a crock of shit. ATF does indeed wear out...especially the highly friction modified shit that everybody's been using for the last 20 years to facilitate soft lockup/shifts without undue wear.

The general public can't get it in it's collective skull that almost everybody falls under the severe maintenance schedules due to our aggressive driving habits and continued operation in start/stop, low speed environments.

/rant

10/29/2012 12:30:39 PM

dirty dan, just picked up an 84 240 with a stick, been commuting to fayetteville with it for the last two months. 26 mpgs, took out a deer last week and kept right on trucking.

10/29/2012 8:11:15 PM

E36 +1000

If I needed to find an inexpensive vehicle quickly that's what I'd look for

[Edited on October 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM. Reason : *]

10/29/2012 9:24:25 PM

^^ I like those old 240s...including the wagons.

10/29/2012 10:07:35 PM

I bought a 92 mk2 jetta 8 valve 5 speed for a grand. Did general maintenance and put on new suspension, wheel bearings, now I haul my bikes and dog around the east coast to visit my friends, doesn't leak or burn anything. love the car. Probably not fancy enough for you though

10/30/2012 7:33:15 AM

I gotta admit to liking comfort a little more than all out speed or economy (much to the chagrin of my father, who bases all of his car purchases on their capability to last over 250k without any big issues, all while getting stupendous gas mileage) these days. The mkII Jettas weren't too bad in their day, but about the only way I'd own one is if it were diesel.

I really wish we got more diesels here.

10/30/2012 12:48:03 PM

i'd go bimmer E39 530/540 then good blend(ish) of everything.

10/30/2012 2:31:45 PM

They're out there. E39 540's all over the place, relatively affordable. But damn, the engines kinda bother me. I know they don't have the Nikasil issues that the E34's had, but they seem to suffer from a whole slew of other small but expensive maladies. Crankcase ventilation is laughable and expensive to fix.

I love the 540 but not enough to buy one in my current financial status.

10/30/2012 2:54:30 PM

just get a subaru

they're cheap and there are a million out there to use for spare parts

you can already do all the work yourself

10/30/2012 3:17:04 PM

what about an e39 530? Still has the typical BMW cooling issues, but the engine is much more solid than the 540i.

10/30/2012 4:05:11 PM

^same price and similar gas mileage as 540i with much less power. one of the weird things with used 5-series. even E60 525i costs within $2k of similar mileage E60 545i.

10/30/2012 5:48:16 PM

He didn't mention gas mileage or power as his concern with the e39, he mentioned the engine. The 530 has a bullet proof engine and while slower, enjoys the same driving dynamics as the 540.

(^thats partly because no one wants the 545 e60 for reliability issues. When I was e60 shopping and decided I didn't want to mess with it and leased an f10)

[Edited on October 30, 2012 at 6:01 PM. Reason : .]

10/30/2012 5:59:25 PM

GANGSTER
http://www.carolinanissans.com/forums/index.php?/topic/31434-1999-infiniti-q45-touring/

10/30/2012 6:59:28 PM

^ I had a 97... great car. I miss it a lot. Fuel economy is terrible though. 16-17mpg combined.

10/30/2012 7:01:01 PM

it's OK, Dan can add an H2 setup and get mid-20's

10/30/2012 7:02:47 PM