It's been a while since I last visited you guys on this board. Recently I was out in B.C. visiting Seattle Washington, Vancouver BC, as well as Victoria. I was amazed at how many VOlvos there were on my trip

My rental car was an 05 Toyota Echo. Great car for commuting as well as great fuel economy, but what a horrible turning radius!!!

I've been checking out a few VOlvo's locally. Most recently I checked out an 00 S80 T6, great car with lotsa power! but the downside to it was that it was just waaaay too plasticy and gimmicky for my licking.

I'd recently noticed that my 88 325is BMW has the same fuel consumption as an 88 Ford Mustang with the 302 5.0 liter engine. After considering a few options, I've thought about spending thousans less than a newer (post 95) Volvo, and instead consider a Volvo with a conversion already completed. Ichose this way since the conversion is pretty pricy esp since I'd have to get my mechanic to do it for me. I have considered a Turbocharged 740 or something, but I think I'd rather go NA since it seems to be a much more reliable means of power over the TUrbo.

So are there any problems wiht the 5.0 powertrain in the Volvo? I'm considering either a 700 or a 200...(or even a 900) but it must have auto as well as working a/c and cruise. If I overmaintain the car like I already do to my BMW, will the 302 last as long as a stock VOlvo motor considering I don't drive very hard BUT I still like extra power????

TIA!!!