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  #1  
Old 10-23-2008, 10:59 AM
Diesel forever
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 291
240D owner seeks daily driver, again

Hi all. I've owned my 240D for over 8 years now. Rust-free southern car (I live in the north-east), it's my summer car and garage queen. Since I commute to work and need a car for winter and general all-around driving, I've always owned 2 cars (3 now, if I count the 92 Land Cruiser diesel wagon I bought for occasional off-road driving).

For the last 4 years I've driven a 92 Volvo 240 station wagon and it's generally been good to me, though it needs occasional TLC. It's starting to rust and getting up there mileage wise, but I'm hoping to get another winter out of it. Should it fail, I will be needing another car (the 240D sleeps in the garage all winter, and I don't plan on driving the diesel Land Cruiser either).

I'd want something comfortable in town and long highway runs (I'm 52), easy to get in and out of (don't like Honda cars because I find them too low to the ground), dependable and reliable (I do enough wrenching on my diesel vehicles!), versatile, able to get 25mpg+ highway, fairly rust-aversive since I'll be buying one from around here (North-east), and would have about $8-10K to spend (maybe more if I get a 2-3 year old car). I'd prefer gas engine so I don't have to contend with issues of driving diesel in the winter.

I have a bias against N-A cars, so am leaning toward Japanese or European (though am a bit put off by reliability, black-box nature and maintenance cost issues of certain cars of recent years). I'd want something that can last me a good 4-5 years before I have to consider something else. Some cars I have considered or been recommended in the past include:
- Honda CRV/Element (pricey on used market)
- Toyota Camry wagon (good specimens are rare 95-)
- Toyota Cressida (getting long in the tooth, and rare to find)
- Subaru wagon (preferably 2.2L engine, but they are getting old 96-)
- Older Lexus car

With the fluctuating price of fuel and uncertain economy, additional criteria and opportunities may come into play.

Suggestions?

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  #2  
Old 10-23-2008, 11:20 AM
94mgm's Avatar
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volvo 940/740/760/240 ...turbo
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  #3  
Old 10-23-2008, 12:25 PM
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Location: Vancouver, WA
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A Volvo is a good call, my family owns several.
But I'd also suggest a Toyota Matrix, conforming to your criteria. Comfortable to drive, can get one for under $10k easily, versatile, it gets 32+mpg (it's a 2005XR), has never needed service other than oil changes and new tires, it drives from Hood River to Portland (1hr 20min) several times a week and never has a problem. Pretty good in rain and light snow as well. It's a Corolla engine, so reliable, enough power to get up the hills of the Gorge no problem but still easy on the wallet. No problem starting in the very cold. I can find them around here for under $10000, but I'm not sure about in Canada. I'd get an XR or XRS rather than a base model if I were you, better handling. Good luck finding a good car.
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  #4  
Old 10-23-2008, 12:38 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 241
Audi

I've had two Audi A4s both with the 1.8t motors, a 98 with a five speed manual and a 2005 with an automatic tranny both were/are awesome. I got 175k miles out of my 98 and only got rid of it(sold to a friend, still going strong) because i got an awesome deal on the 2005.

They have been known to have some issues reliability wise, but my old 98 was ten years old and never had anything happen to her aside from a catalytic converter needing to be replaced, and some other minor things(brakes oil changes,tires all expected) The 05 is flawless aside from a recall performed before i got it. (64k miles on it now, 59k when i got it last june)

These cars rock in the snow due to the AWD and are a blast to drive.They're also not too low to the ground unless you get some crazy sport package. An Audi Would provide a great alternative to a 240 benz.
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  #5  
Old 10-23-2008, 05:11 PM
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Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
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Having owned one I would say the Honda CRV. Very versatile and capable vehicle. Last time I saw it it was coming up on 230k miles. Outside of brakes/timing belts/oil changes about the only other thing I ever had to do on it was to replace the drivers side window regulator.
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  #6  
Old 10-23-2008, 07:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggspeed View Post
I've had two Audi A4s both with the 1.8t motors, a 98 with a five speed manual and a 2005 with an automatic tranny both were/are awesome. I got 175k miles out of my 98 and only got rid of it(sold to a friend, still going strong) because i got an awesome deal on the 2005.

They have been known to have some issues reliability wise, but my old 98 was ten years old and never had anything happen to her aside from a catalytic converter needing to be replaced, and some other minor things(brakes oil changes,tires all expected) The 05 is flawless aside from a recall performed before i got it. (64k miles on it now, 59k when i got it last june)

These cars rock in the snow due to the AWD and are a blast to drive.They're also not too low to the ground unless you get some crazy sport package. An Audi Would provide a great alternative to a 240 benz.

Funny that you wrote that. I have a 240D 1983 and my other car is a 1998 Audi 2.8 Quattro 5 speed. That creates a cool balance between the cars. I drive the Audi most of the time and the 240D when i'm in the mood for an oldie. Yeah, the Audi is a damn good car, mine's got about 140K on it and it runs every well.
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  #7  
Old 10-24-2008, 07:00 AM
Diesel forever
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 291
Thanks for the suggestions folks!

Sounds like the older Volvos (like my 240 wagon) are hard to beat, so maybe I should stay on the lookout for another one (with less mileage, granny-owned, etc.)...

Indeed, CRV is on my list and the advantage there is that there are lots to choose from, if one has the cash to buy one (recent ones are pricey, they keep their value very well).

Thanks for the suggestions about the Audis. It's not something I had considered, but sounds like they might be worth a look.

Cheers!
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2008, 09:23 AM
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A Toyota Camry wagon just might be the ugliest wagon ever produced. Just an awful looking car.
If I was looking for something with your criteria I would probably focus on a Honda Element or the Toyota Matrix. Maintenance on both would be almost non-existent.
Another member of the 240 Volvo family is also a good choice, and you know you are safe.
I like to hear that the 240D stays in the garage all winter!
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #9  
Old 10-24-2008, 09:30 AM
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I would look for a Volvo in your situation-

8-10K is way too much for one in GREAT shape, so you'd have some money left over.

The downside of all the other cars mentioned is how pricey repairs can be, and how hard it is to work on newer computer-driven vehicles yourself. I like a Subaru wagon, but the rear struts go on those all the time, and the engine compartment is silly stuffed.
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  #10  
Old 10-27-2008, 10:14 AM
Diesel forever
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 291
The Matrix comes up a few times, so will be worth a look. Someone I know just bought a new one so I'll try to have a close look at it, and try it out. I read on the net that the Matrix and the Pontiac Vibe are pretty well the same car. Any truth to that????

The Element has always had a certain utilitarian appeal, but they tend to be pricey on the used market.

Indeed, I may well be served by hunting down a nice 240 specimen. Especially since I have all the manuals, a bunch of parts, and some acquired know-how to repair them. I could buy one, fix it up, and drive mine till it drops then have the other one ready to step in when needed. My 17 year old daughter is thinking of buying a cheap car (I'm trying to discourage her, because of the hard-earned money she'll have to put into it), but I suppose if she does, she might as well get something safe and cheap as an old Volvo. Daddy will become her mechanic, no doubt...

Any insight into whether the current economic situation has created some great opportunities in the used car market?

Cheers.
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Old 10-27-2008, 11:12 AM
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i absolutely loved my ford explorer. you should be able to pick one up really cheap and use the cost savings to pay for the gas milage difference. I put 150K trouble free miles on it before I sold it to my nephew who drove it 2 mores years before getting slammed by another car at an intersection. the 6 cylinder 2WD version should get low twenties milage wise and the leather interior on the limiteds and eddie bauers are very comfortable.
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  #12  
Old 10-27-2008, 12:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lutzTD View Post
i absolutely loved my ford explorer. you should be able to pick one up really cheap and use the cost savings to pay for the gas milage difference. I put 150K trouble free miles on it before I sold it to my nephew who drove it 2 mores years before getting slammed by another car at an intersection. the 6 cylinder 2WD version should get low twenties milage wise and the leather interior on the limiteds and eddie bauers are very comfortable.
First off the likely hood of roll over in Explorers is way above average. Second, they get awful fuel mileage, especially considering they have a sixer. I sometimes got 15mpg and don't think I ever got over 20. I've known many many folks that have had these and all report the same.
On another note, I have a buddy who has one with over 320K miles and he has never been into the engine. Almost a miracle to own that engine and not have had to do the head gaskets.....
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #13  
Old 10-27-2008, 01:11 PM
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W126 gasser.

- Peter.
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  #14  
Old 10-27-2008, 01:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyL View Post
First off the likely hood of roll over in Explorers is way above average. Second, they get awful fuel mileage, especially considering they have a sixer. I sometimes got 15mpg and don't think I ever got over 20. I've known many many folks that have had these and all report the same.
On another note, I have a buddy who has one with over 320K miles and he has never been into the engine. Almost a miracle to own that engine and not have had to do the head gaskets.....

my brother got low twenties in his 6 cyl, I got 16 in a V8 with AWD. rollover is more of an issue in ANY SUV, not just the explorer. the explorer issue was traced to tire issues. I just mentioned it because there are a lot more choices out there and a lot of them are american built, not to get into a discussion about pro and cons of any one model or make

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)
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