Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Looking for winter car (Volvo 240, Mercedes 300 Diesel)

I'll have to second this. My mom's Subaru Forester (yeah, a bit newer but...) can tread lightly over any snow conditions. She said one time she went up a steep hill in a big snowstorm to pick up my sister and thought nothing of it, then when she went down it again she saw a 4x4 SUV weaving all over the road trying to get up. That AWD system works, and Subarus appear to last forever. Only problem she's had was with the alarm system in the 2 years we've owned it.

Only problem is price, even early 90s models, since they depreciate slowly (but then again that's a good thing!)

Wow there is nothing like posting a thread and forgetting it for a week

I have done some more thinking about it, and I am leaning towards the Volvo. I would like the wagon because of the space/utility, and I just looking at the 240's motor bay, it appears to be a breeze to work on.

There is always the 351" Volvo factor after the 4-cyl gives up the ghost too!

Today though, I was out and about and it was amazing just how many MB diesels and 240s were on the road...I am up in NE, and no lie I saw about 10 300D/SD Mercs running around, and about as many 240s if not more.

I have thought about other/cheaper/newer alternatives. I am all set with more or less any Ford or Chevy product at this point in time, save for my SVT. I was thinking about maybe a Saab 900, but I am not sure if I see the same low operating cost happening for me there. The Subaru would be an option, but again I am not into rusty old rides, so may be a bit of a search.

I did however, find an intersting sport-utility alternative however...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1845778832

I think Officer Cartman was reffering to the Loyale, those things are ugly as sin but still run well. A justy would also be idea, although almost so small it's scary.

A Mazda 323 GTX(?) is an interestion option, AWD and turbo, of course finding one would be a problem but I don't think it would be too expensive.

The average life span of a volvo is 18 years.

-Pete

No question ... VOLVO all the way !! Great in the snow , easy to work on , will run forever & MUCH cheaper to maintain than the Mercedes .