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Can I speed up my '83 240DL? and/or advice on a newer model, please. 200 1983

posted by  VolvoGirlNYC on  Mon Nov 15 13:24 CST 2004
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Hi all,

I posted the following on the introductions board a day or two ago, but no one has responded, so I thought this board might be more productive. Here goes:

I inherited my fiancee's 1983 240 DL sedan several years ago. His mother is the original owner, and it is in pretty good shape, with only 124,000miles on it. I really love that car, because it is so reliable and I feel very safe in it. My only real problem with it is that it is very slow accelerating, and really poor (slows from 75 to 55mph) going uphill. Other than that it is as solid as the proverbial "brick." I am by nature a speed demon, and going 55mph does not make me happy. I need to commute back and forth once a week to Western Maryland from NYC for several months beginning in January. I think driving the old 240DL up and down those Pennsylvania hills at 55mph might just drive me out of my mind, so I've pretty much decided to upgrade to a newer, more powerful Volvo.

I have read the comments on buying a used Volvo, but I am concerned about acceration and power. It seems that the 740T, post-'87 760, and the 940 are recommended, while the 960 and 850 models are probably not a great match for me -- strict maintanence shedules are not my cup of tea.

Any comments about what I might be able to expect speed wise from an early 90's turbo vs. the non-turbo models? I want to be able to go at least 85mph, with no perceptable slowdown going uphill. Is that just unrealistic? Also, is there a speed difference between wagons and sedans? I am inlined to go with a wagon, but not if it is going to slow me down significantly.

Most importantly, my budget is capped at $10,000. Should I blow the whole $10,000 and get the newest model that I can afford, or save some money and stick with a early 90's model? Or, even better, is there a reasonalbe way to "supercharge" my old brick so that I can keep her (and my $10,000)? Believe me, I have read the V-8 conversion board with envy, but I don't think I can swing that. I love my car, but I'm not that much of a gearhead. :)


Thank you!

Volvo Girl NYC






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