Thinking Volvo... need help.

[GS|works]

I have some cash for a new project. I'd like to build something euro and not wanting to build another BMW. I'm fairly convinced that I want a early to mid 90's Volvo. I'm not interested in performance as much as I'm interested in something dependable and decently inexpensive to upkeep.

Of course I plan to slam it and put wheels on it. I prefer the wagons. Questions: What model should I look for? Are there any common issues? What are decent suspension DD setups? Can anyone shine some light on this.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

[manbeard]

Look for a 240, 740, or 940. They are all pretty reliable, and super easy to work on. There are a couple companies that sell coilovers, but over on turbobricks, theres a write up on making your own. Do ittttt

[GS|works]

I'll check it out thanks for chiming in. I'm looking at a 95' 940t wagon atm. Also about to creep on your build thread.

[Nicolaus Pro]

I'd throw that age range back alittle. All those mid 90's volvos look like shit, IMO. Stick with something from the late 80s, early 90s.

[525iT_Feen]

I daily grind a 00 s70 turbo right now. I've seen two or three worldwide that I like (Matts being one of them). Its a very reliable car and a decent daily beater. I don't know about modding one though (I did consider it). As far as i'm concerned anything prior to 98 looks like a brick and is very hard to look good but it all depends on your budget.

[Chigga]

Its not cheap to mod a rwd brick properly, you need either lots of time and fabrication skills or simply money to get someone to make something for you, but at the end you have something unique.

[Nicolaus Pro]

Its not cheap to mod a rwd brick properly, you need either lots of time and fabrication skills or simply money to get someone to make something for you, but at the end you have something unique.

Properly is the keep word here

My cars were modded "improperly" (cut springs, the only money I spent was on tires/wheels/etc) But both of my cars were driven literally thousands of miles with no problems.

it's up to you

[exexpat]

I still think the 850 wagon is awesome and has very distinguished lines and European look. I kind of see it like a MkII VW, but bigger and generally faster with the T5. Because the world doesn't flock to these cars, you do need to get creative to modify them, but there is a bunch you can do and since there are about 6 cool 850s on the planet, you can do something unique.

[animal]

why is this in the showroom? what are you showing?

back to original post - i agree, 80's brick is the way to go..

[GS|works]

why is this in the showroom? what are you showing?

back to original post - i agree, 80's brick is the way to go..

Sorry I didn't know where to post it. NEWB status, ownz me atm.

pic added to OP.

[exexpat]

I have some cash for a new project. I'd like to build something euro and not wanting to build another BMW. I'm fairly convinced that I want a early to mid 90's Volvo. I'm not interested in performance as much as I'm interested in something dependable and decently inexpensive to upkeep.

Of course I plan to slam it and put wheels on it. I prefer the wagons. Questions: What model should I look for? Are there any common issues? What are decent suspension DD setups? Can anyone shine some light on this.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

I built that car.

It is a 1996 850 T-5 white on black. Needed moar low, but I built it in 2004 and we were more accepting of just lowering springs then.

More





Edit: also apropos because I just bought those wheels back after 6 years and 3+ owners

[GS|works]

I built that car.

It is a 1996 850 T-5 white on black. Needed moar low, but I built it in 2004 and we were more accepting of just lowering springs then.

More

I suppose that makes you the person I created this thread for then. I really like how you vinyled / painted the B and C pillars to give it an updated look. IMO something that should have been done factory. I planned to do just do the B pillar and leave the C body colored to give it a classic wagon appeal.

My plans are very simple: Volvo Wagon. nice low, comfortable, adjustable suspension. (trying to figure out the formula) 17" 2001 Jaguar xj8 wheels. (stripped & fully polished) Thule roof box and a dog gate for my four legged friend. Mission: Reliable Euro DD & parts hauler.

[gilber33]

I'm interested in something dependable and decently inexpensive to upkeep.

As far as 850s go, dependable, yes, decently inexpensive to maintain, not always the case. lol

My plans are very simple: Volvo Wagon. nice low, comfortable, adjustable suspension.

I'm not sure about older models like the 240 on what they're coilover options are, but as far as the 850s, keep in mind that there are currently no setups that will get you very low in the rear and will have to do something custom of some sort.

I know this is a sedan, but to give you an idea of what your 'going low' options are. These are homemade coilovers and IPD lowering springs with two coils cut in the rear. The ride was decent, little bouncy, and the fronts were extremely stiff.



Since then, it has gotten TA Teknix (or however the fuck you spell it) coilovers. The fronts ride awesome, however, the rears, like I said earlier, go as far as a lowering spring at best. The rears TA springs were swapped out with B5 Vogtland rear coilover springs and the drop is much less. And the overall ride is still very very good. Lot better than before. And now:





So this is what you'll be looking at as far as an 850 goes if that's the direction you go. Not sure about suspension options for 2/7/900 series.

[GS|works]

As far as 850s go, dependable, yes, decently inexpensive to maintain, not always the case. lol

Do explain.

Also thanks for your input. You do bring up another question. I see that your tires are stretched, are your fenders rolled or cut at all?

[Andersg]

I just mounted a set of 17x10" Futuras in the back of my 940 wagon with adaptors. Final ET17 I think... 225/45 Maxxis tire.