Replacing my 760 with something "newerish"

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M.R.S. - 21 Jan 2006 22:29 GMT

Hi all,

I've been toying with the idea of getting a replacement for my ageing '87
760. It runs well, still quite rust free (the rockers and doors are mint,
the only thing that is rusting is the roof!!!).

I've considered buying a newer Volvo. I like the 960/V90 Wagon, but I want
a car that's manual this time!! No more autos.

I like the (although kinda boring) styling of the V40, and LOVE the
V50/S40!!! (I'd like either one of the new 40 series cars!! hot! :)

How are the S40/V40 (early 40s)? Fun to drive? Easy to live with? Easy
on fuel? (turbo gasoline). I guess they require premium fuel because all
the ones I've seen are turbocharged.

I'm not really a fan of FWD, but if I have to, I'll live with it. Did I
mention I love the stylinbg of the new 40 series cars?!?! ;)

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James Sweet - 22 Jan 2006 01:51 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I'm not really a fan of FWD, but if I have to, I'll live with it. Did I
> mention I love the stylinbg of the new 40 series cars?!?! ;)

I met a guy not too long ago with a V70-R wagon which was a 5 speed
manual. If you're looking for a newer Volvo and want a stick, you should
check out one of those, it was a sweet car.

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Aawara Chowdhury - 22 Jan 2006 02:19 GMT

>> I've considered buying a newer Volvo. I like the 960/V90 Wagon, but I want
>> a car that's manual this time!! No more autos.
>
> I met a guy not too long ago with a V70-R wagon which was a 5 speed
> manual. If you're looking for a newer Volvo and want a stick, you should
> check out one of those, it was a sweet car.

Volvo's geartronic system used on the new S40, V50 (and upcoming C30) gives
the best of both worlds - at least I think so.

AC

Signature

In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice,
but nothing to choose from - Peter Ustinov.

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James Sweet - 22 Jan 2006 03:10 GMT

>>>I've considered buying a newer Volvo. I like the 960/V90 Wagon, but I want
>>>a car that's manual this time!! No more autos.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> AC

Bah, that's just an automatic that can be manually shifted. Has the
complexity, weight and torque converter mush of an auto with further
complexity of the manual shifting stuff, worst of both worlds IMO.

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Aawara Chowdhury - 22 Jan 2006 03:13 GMT

> Bah, that's just an automatic that can be manually shifted. Has the
> complexity, weight and torque converter mush of an auto with further
> complexity of the manual shifting stuff, worst of both worlds IMO.

You ever driven one?

AC

Signature

In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice,
but nothing to choose from - Peter Ustinov.

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M.R.S. - 22 Jan 2006 22:29 GMT

>> Bah, that's just an automatic that can be manually shifted. Has the
>> complexity, weight and torque converter mush of an auto with further
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> AC

I've driven many cars with "tip-tronic, shift-tronic, gear-tronic,
selec-tronic, sele-speed", whatever you call it... it's pretty lame.

I've raced cars (GT racing) for 8 years, and well... yeah, manual is MANUAL
(unless it's a sequential up/down selector setup, you can still "miss a
shift with it, or pick the wrong gear!!).

If I had that feature, I'd never ever use it, ever. Heck, I wonder why cars
have the PRNDL12 anyhow... just have PRND!! period.

I don't mind the 2001-2004 S40s, they look "ok".. I don't know how good
they are (reliability wise).

I CAN tell you, man... my 760 has been awesome from day 1! It was bought
new by us, and passed down in our family. It's now 19 years old, B280F,
never had a valve adjustment, original rad and hoses! (yeah, ticking time
bomb, I know).

Anyhow, I think the new cars are probably built quite well. I haven't seen
any rusty 850s around!! I'm also seeing a lot of 850s with SUPER high
mileage. I don't want an 850/S70/V70 though.. not really lovin' that car.

Otherwise, I might opt for a 960/V90 Wagon with auto.. use it as my tow
vehicle for my race car. (I do it with my 760! )

Cheers

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James Sweet - 23 Jan 2006 04:21 GMT

>>>Bah, that's just an automatic that can be manually shifted. Has the
>>>complexity, weight and torque converter mush of an auto with further
>>>complexity of the manual shifting stuff, worst of both worlds IMO.
>>
>>You ever driven one?

Only one, and after a few minutes I just stuck it in auto mode. I love
manual gearboxes, but I just couldn't see the point of the manually
shifted auto, whatever Audi calls theirs. Once you have the complexity,
weight, and torque converter lag of an automatic transmission, what's
the point of shifting it yourself?

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~^ beancounter ~^ - 23 Jan 2006 16:51 GMT

James...have you driven in any of
the "R" wagons yet?....If so, what
were your impressions?...thanx....

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James Sweet - 24 Jan 2006 03:30 GMT

> James...have you driven in any of
> the "R" wagons yet?....If so, what
> were your impressions?...thanx....

I wish.. I've been in one of them but I didn't think it'd be appropriate
to ask the guy if I could drive it.

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M.R.S. - 26 Jan 2006 02:48 GMT

>> James...have you driven in any of
>> the "R" wagons yet?....If so, what were your impressions?...thanx....
>
> I wish.. I've been in one of them but I didn't think it'd be appropriate
> to ask the guy if I could drive it.

However, Audi/VW does have a manumatic, dual clutch transmission. It has a
unique system, no torque converter. Acts JUST like a manual (internally),
but it is all shifted electronically with syncros and forks!! But it's
automatic!

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John Horner - 22 Jan 2006 06:38 GMT

> Volvo's geartronic system used on the new S40, V50 (and upcoming C30) gives
> the best of both worlds - at least I think so.
>
> AC

To each there own, but the so called auto-manuals I have driven are all
jokes. What is the point of a pseudo-manual transmission. You still
have the mush and energy loss of the torque converter.

Drive what you like, but every manual shift automatic I have tried has
been best simply left in automatic mode. I doubt that 1 in 100 of the
people who own such vehicles ever bother to "manually" select gears once
the initial novelty wears off.

John

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John Horner - 22 Jan 2006 06:35 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I've considered buying a newer Volvo. I like the 960/V90 Wagon, but I want
> a car that's manual this time!! No more autos.

How about a 940? I'm not sure if Volvo offered it in the US with a
manual tranny though.

> I like the (although kinda boring) styling of the V40, and LOVE the
> V50/S40!!! (I'd like either one of the new 40 series cars!! hot! :)
>
> How are the S40/V40 (early 40s)? Fun to drive? Easy to live with? Easy
> on fuel? (turbo gasoline). I guess they require premium fuel because all
> the ones I've seen are turbocharged.

IMO these vehicles are much less likely to give you the kind of long
term durability your 760 has delivered.

John

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James Sweet - 22 Jan 2006 06:55 GMT

> How about a 940? I'm not sure if Volvo offered it in the US with a
> manual tranny though.

Nope, that's why I didn't mention the 940. It is possible to convert one
though, should be doable with parts from a manual 740 though the manual
940s in Europe got the nicer M90 transmission.

>> I like the (although kinda boring) styling of the V40, and LOVE the
>> V50/S40!!! (I'd like either one of the new 40 series cars!! hot! :)
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> IMO these vehicles are much less likely to give you the kind of long
> term durability your 760 has delivered.

I'm not convinced of this. I prefer the older RWD cars but FWD Volvos
have been around for a while now and I've personally seen 850s with
nearly 300K on them, that's doing pretty well IMO. They're more complex
but still well made cars.

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Johan Plane - 25 Jan 2006 18:50 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> I'm not really a fan of FWD, but if I have to, I'll live with it. Did I
> mention I love the stylinbg of the new 40 series cars?!?! ;)

Is it only the stickshift you're after? Or is it also the RWD? Me myself, being
a Volvo owner for decades have always had the wagons, 145, 245, 265, 965, will
get either a Mercedes or BMW next time, since i *hate* FWD in wintery
conditions. With RWD one can at leat control the skids and slides a bit.

/ Johan

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