Am I the only one who is confused when people scoff at my brick? I have an 83 245 with 56K miles. Cost me $3750 and I could have got it for less according to the prices people are paying for 90s models. Absolutely fantastic condition and yet people I know act as if there new SUVs that average 12 mpg and cost them $35K are somehow a better automobile. Of course, I can fix 90% of what goes wrong with it (but after a year and a half not a thing has gone wrong yet), it gets nearly 29 mpg, has more room than the ridiculous 2001 Land Rover Discovery I recently sold after it began to rust in several places, etc., etc. I'm putting some soundproofing in and I may have the driver's seat recovered and it will look like brand new inside. Somehow, their $600 car payments must have warped their brain. I guess that is the beauty of the old 240. Most of the world is too dumb to figure out how great they are, so you can pick them up cheap and laugh all the way to the bank. Sorry, just my two cents after someone poked fun at it this afternoon.

I just show people my odometer.



That usually shuts them up pretty quick.

However, most of my friends my age don't have cars, which makes it very easy to fire back at them.

My friend might go "Hey I like your car!" sarcastically or something to that extent.

I simply respond "Hey! I like your bus pass!" or "Hey! I like your shoes there!"

As for my friends with the tricked out hondas and toyotas, I just look at them and say "I dare you to play chicken with my car. We'll see who would have the last laugh."

Heh heh heh...

Bottom line about people that give you a hard time about driving a Volvo:

Fuck 'em!

Who needs it?

Heh heh heh...
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'

werd.
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*84 Volvo 240 DL, named Michelle*-259,000 on the odo, fastern' sheet! ~@ Kyote Customs- Sinkin' Sushi boats since 1999@~

I just explain that I own my car outright and would rather invest the $500 a month I would be paying to own an expensive new car.

Truth is more empowering than surface appearances. I'll have the last laugh, and I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

i usually start out by telling them about my 85 volvo with four wheel disc brakes, dual piston front calipers, side impact door beams, crumple zones, gas mileage, high quality parts, fuel inj, high mileage motors, trap door for tank pump, and on and on, stuff their cars didnt get until long after our cars did. and we buy them when their cars are ready for the crusher. they look at you funny when you tell them about the beauty you just picked up with only 175,000 miles. if they can shut me up they usually dont bring up the subject any more. then came my turbo which solved the only semi shortcoming in my opinion. ;~{}

"Stuff their cars didnt get until long after our cars did."

I know, you just want to grab some Detroit execs and yell "say it with me O-Ver-Head-Cam, aaalllll-wheeel-Discs. It seems bizzare that manufacters are still getting away with single cam pushrod V8's. (General Motors Holden I'm looking your direction) Somehow they think if they put an EFI setup and emmisions control on 1960's technology, it makes it mordern. It's no wonder Toyota and Honda are walking all over them, they've had efficiant twin OHC setups since the 80's. Detroit would sell you a side valve engine if you let them, just put air con and a CD player in the car and the public will be suckered.
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Drive it like you hate it

Those, that have to justify their large expenditures, always ridicule those who have minimal expenditures.

When really pushed about my antique car...I generally reply "Yes, she's an oldie, but worth her weight in gold." Followed with a huge grin. At that point the subject changes, or they simply walk away.

As posted...we have to keep the secret.

shhhh.

Twoforty

If you have to explain it, they cannot understand. Its almost like being members of a secret society...welcoming each other with the secret hand signal (now secret, once common, a friendly wave as we pass each other on the road).

Dont feel bad about someone making fun of your old volvo. I too have been asked--why do you drive and work on old volvos-hard to explain to a person who hasnt owned a good running volvo. Look at it this way--better less people get hooked like we are-leaves more meat on the bones at the boneyard.

I've had that same thought while scouring the boneyard. It's amazing the stuff I find. My favorite was getting a brand new dash without a crack in it for $20.