I bought my 245 SW as a multipurpose family work truck/car to replace my rusted-out Toyota 2WD truck. So far so good. I can carry kids safely, lumber on top with rack and carry plenty of tools in back (but not as many as a truck... even though weight load limits are about the same as the half ton truck. My Problem is that even before putting much weight in back the rear seems to sag. It has new shocks and the springs look clean and non rusty. Even empty the rear seems a little low. (I have only had it 3 monthes and it looked that way somewhat before... but it seemed to be the 'style'.. now I am not so sure?_)

I have put extra leafs on my old truck which also 'sagged' too and to excellent effect. I am sure the reputable spring shop in our area can do an upgrade to stronger coils.... but have other 245 owners noticed the same tendency for older SWs to 'sag' in the rear (some look it and some don't)???? Really, I only have about 200 lbs of gear in the back and that shouldn't effect THAT much.....) For example, looking in rearview mirror in tend to see the grills of cars behind me ... but not the top of their cars...

Also, both the CAR TALK brothers and my Volvo manual say it's okay to use Regular fuel (89 rating)... but when I complained to my Volvo mechanic about occasional "pinging" on going uphill, she 'enlightened' me to say that I should be using "premium" fuel at all times and in all Volvos??? .... even on a nonTurbo 240!!! And I am hearing from our correspondent in the UK prior on the list that I should perhaps be upgrading my fuel:

(Is it worth it????)

Also, did put some new sparkplugs in and that's all that could be found "wrong" with my engine. Still worried about a little noise in the front end of engine .. but both excellent mechanics in my experience with this car say No Worry!! The sparkplugs did make a difference. 160,000 miles and this car feels more powerful than that new GrandAm I rented which got the same "lousy" mileage (24mpg) and was half the weight of my "Brick" tank.