[Taleof2Bricks2]

In about 2-3 months I will be handing the keys to my 244 project over to my son, as this was the plan from the start.

Coming from newer Volvos, this car took some getting used to, but it has 'grown on me', especially since I fixed the AC!. I am now searching in CA for another 200 series, but this time, a 245 for me.

I have a few questions:

Were manual tranny's offered in any year, and if so, might these be a bit harder to find than automatics?

(I am almost sure this answer is "no", but I'll ask)....Were any wagons offered with a turbo?

The converted AC works well on my 244, but would a wagon, due to all the glass & rear space, be a bit harder to cool inside on really hot days?

Thanks - I'm also open to any other advice as I begin my search...

 

[gdill2]

Re: 245 General Information (Taleof2Bricks2)

http://www.nuceng.ca/bill/volvo/volvohome.htm

Yes, a 245 stick-shift is rare but some show in the market infrequently.

To get a RWD turbo wagon you could look at a late model 945 but finding one with a stick may be tough.

Indeed, early 240 wagons were difficult to keep cool what with the AT cooler pumping heat into the engine cooling system and the ac needing the cool radiator to chill the cabin. Many of these have been converted to R134a and all-metal 3-row radiator.

The '92-'93 240's have "upgraded" cooling systems and R134a from the factory.

Since you have some time to shop consider a late-model 245 in perfect one-owner, needs-nothing condition regardless of transmission type/non-turbo.

As a daily-driver on busy CA dighways a wagon with AT and economical non-turbo seems more practical that a true 5-speed with turbo but...

That said, let's go shopping...

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/1125629277.html

George Dill

 

[Taleof2Bricks2]

Re: 245 General Information (gdill2)

Quote, originally posted by gdill2 »

...Indeed, early 240 wagons were difficult to keep cool what with the AT cooler pumping heat into the engine cooling system and the ac needing the cool radiator to chill the cabin. Many of these have been converted to R134a and all-metal 3-row radiator. The '92-'93 240's have "upgraded" cooling systems and R134a from the factory. Since you have some time to shop consider a late-model 245 in perfect one-owner, needs-nothing condition regardless of transmission type/non-turbo. As a daily-driver on busy CA dighways a wagon with AT and economical non-turbo seems more practical that a true 5-speed with turbo but...

Thanks a lot, George. I think an AT, newer, "needs nothing" 245 is going to be the way I go with this. As luck would have it, there is a nice 92 wagon here in CA, 93k miles, leather, AC, & from the pics, it looks immaculate. Unfortunately, it is at a small dealer, and he's asking $6900 + registration, tax (8.5% here in CA) and is pretty 'firm'. I think he is about $2k high, but any thoughts???

Regardless, I do have time, and though I'll jump on the right one immediately, I don't mind waiting 3,4,5 months.... if need be. Regarding the cooling, I do have a 3 row on my 244, and it does a great job of keeping the engine cool, while the AC keeps me & my 2 teen sons cool in the cabin, on our 80 mile round trip visits to Grandma's on Saturdays!

Thanks again!

 

[MillionMilePlus245DL]

Re: 245 General Information (Taleof2Bricks2)

If you're looking for something more "traditional" in a turbo 245 you could get a turbocharger, RWD and a manual-transmission all in the circa-1985 245 GLT.

I had one of these, and though I didn't bother to work on the A/C, it did go like stink once I slapped a larger turbo and intercooler on it. You can get all the safety and aesthetics of the 1980s 240 but with (relatively good) performance.

[GLTs are also well-equipped, though I've never seen one that wasn't blue-on-blue like mine.]

I sold mine (plus an '83 242 Turbo and '84 245 Turbo, both with ATs) a few years ago, but you could probably replicate one with an engine/tranny swap for less than you'd pay for such a "unicorn"--if you could find one.

Just a thought...

 

[Taleof2Bricks2]

Re: 245 General Information (MillionMilePlus245DL)

Thanks, MMP245DL.

Many thoughts have crossed my mind, and I am keeping 'all options on the table'.

This car will likely become another project, and I will 'tailor it' a bit, over a period of several months, once I find the right one. All of my Volvos get a full IPD suspension before I bring them home, so that's where I'll start, regardless of what year/model I pick up. We'll see where this one goes from there

!

Thanks again...

P.S. George: If the stock wheels happen to 'come off', I will save them & store them in my garage (they can 'chat' with the other 4 or 5 sets in there

)