Well it kinda starts with styling. You can have anything from a 122 to a 940. Pick something like that first and go from there. 122s and 140s had similar smaller engines. 240s, 740s, and 940s had similar larger engines. All can be super reliable with proper care, which I'm sure you're aware of. Basically, I'd say pick between all the RWD models and decide which one you'd like to drive based on looks and regional availability and then we can talk about the best model years and options for each.

I don't want to sound like I'm putting looks and cosmetics before drive-ability and reliability but frankly most people won't drive a car that they think looks terrible. If you're fine with any of them then I'm partial to 240s. Less bells and whistles than the later models, same dead reliable engine as all of them, not hard to find, built like a brick ****house, drive great, wagons will hold anything you can throw in them and with a roof rack you can load up the top too, possible to tow a light load with them, and they're crammed full of character. Late models don't rust as bad unless you're in the rust belt where everything does no matter what.

However, the same can be said for 740s and 940s aside from them having more bells, whistles, and little things to break. 240s have their share of those things too but not as many.

If you're looking for one that's reliable then find one with previous owner service records, pick it up, and drive!

 

One-owner 940 Turbo Wagon.

George Dill

 

There's some discussion on carrying capacity between 1xx/2xx series wagons and the 7xx/9xx ones. The 145/245s are a bit taller with a pretty much a square box, and 745/945s are lower and wider and less square. Carrying capacity between the two designs is pretty much equal, so you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

Wow I want to do the same thing but my S60 T5 was involved in a crash.

I want the same thing, good base for simple power/handling mods and I don't care what it looks like at all but RWD is a must and cheap is nice.

From what I have read I think I want an Estate with an M90 gearbox but which engine is stongest from factory? I have been reading a bit about the B204GT but people seem to say you don't need the heavy crank that is in that engine.

I am able to swap engines at home and fabricate basic parts if need be.

I apologise for thread jacking but I figured it was better than starting an almost identical thread.

Thanks for any advice.

 

Get a 960 facelift/V 90 I would probably.

 

I would think the cheapest and easiest to maintain with upgrade potential are the 1992-1995 Volvo 940 and 740 Turbo wagons. From a safety stand point I would buy a 1995-1998 960/V90 wagon as Volvo added high strength steel to front to better handle offset frontal collisions and side impact thorax bags are standard.

 

The 965/V90 is too heavy and expensive to maintain/repair.

The '90-'93 245 is a good deal if the owner has kept up the service and repair. Aftermarket go-fast stuff is extensive.

The 945 Turbo with factory upgraded cooling and R134a AC is the way to go but seldom found for sale in good shape. Rare would be one without AT.

George Dill

 

The 965/V90's are in the 3,500-3,600lb range. Not very heavy at all for the size of the vehicle. I've been maintaining 2 of these sedans since 1998 and they are not expensive to maintain IMO, In fact very inexpensive by todays measure, so I disagree with your statement. If they are not maintained and have a catastrophic failure, yes they are expensive to fix. (as in broken timing belt). No argument there.

DEWFPO

 

If either of the posters here are looking for a manual, you won't get one in N.A. in the 9xx series, and they're rare in the later 245s and 745s.

 

There aren't many manuals in any model of Volvo, why are people so lazy?

In regards to gearboxes what is needed to swap the m90 on to something with an M47 box as standard, is it just flywheel clutch plate and box or are the shifting mechanisms different etc etc?

Sorry for the questions, I will get stuck in to the research but I think a 240 wagon might be the way to go, there is so much room in the engine bay but at the same time I would love a factory turbo as I could mod it without needing to see an engineer.

 

I am now looking for 740 factory turbo wagons and I will buy a spare engine and gearbox fit them at a later date.