Volvo wagon vs Honda wagon

[MF DOOM]

In a few weeks Ill be selling my ix and replacing it with a wagon of some sort. At this point im either thinking an old volvo 740 wagon or some sort of honda wagon. Looking to hear pros and cons from people who have first hand experience with them. The main things Im looking for are:

-Space/comfort.
-Reliability
-Fuel economy
-Reliability


I am a student and would like to stay away from anything thats going to leave me stranded or break down outside of my apartment. Ive already had to work on the e30 once this semester in -10 degree weather and would really like to avoid that.

What ive collected so far about the volvos is that a volvo four cyl will run poorly longer than most cars will run at all. Ive read that theyre extremely spacious but not the best on gas. Also saw to avoid any 6 cyl volvo but also that theyre pretty rare so it should really be an issue. Im leaning towards a volvo because its rwd and rwd is fun. Also read that the seats are super comfy.

The honda is a honda so that means cheap parts and reliable as they come. Fwd is boring... But from quite searches it seems coming across one of these in good condition will be easier than finding a nice vo. Also gets better mpgs.

Any thoughts/suggestions/stories are welcome.

[LateFan]

Volvo guy

4 cyl non-turbo Volvo will run for a long time. A tune up is simple and it should stay that way for a while.

Turbo will take more fiddling but not much. Way more grunt, however.

240 wagon, 740 wagon - you can sleep in the back with the seats folded. Don't know that any Honda can do that.

Yes, seats are very good. I could drive the Volvo all day. In my Audi A4, I get achy hamstrings in about 2 hours.

RWD FTW.

Never owned a Honda. Don't know that they have the long haul ability of an old iron Volvo. That said, you should still look for one that was taken care of, with some service records. They're still cheap. You see them out there, owned by one or two families forever, and now the kids are in college and they don't need it.

Try here as well…

http://www.ipdusa.com/classifieds.asp

A 240 wagon can be had up 'til 1993. There are some clean ones out there. I guess I'd rather have a 240 than a 740 of equal condition - I think the 240 was simpler and built better.

[LateFan]

Yeah, like this one on ipd…

8056 2014-10-28 CARS FOR SALE: VOLVO 240 Wagon
Seller's Price: $3,500 Location: Albany, CA Mileage: 243,272 miles Transmission: Automatic Exterior Color: Silver Interior Color: Black

We are the 2nd owners of this 1992 Volvo 240 Wagon. The 1st owners were family friends who bought it off the showroom floor of Smothers Volvo in Santa Rosa California. After serving as their family ride, it was handed down to the oldest daughter for college.

[Kershaw]

Volvos are bigger. And they're tanks. And 240s are rwd.

[mitchlikesbikes]

volvo wagons are cool. the civic wagovan was cool but way smaller than any volvo too.

[ravenlord89]

Volvo doesn't just make wagons. They make battlewagons. Prepared to do battle with smaller inferior cars and SUVs on the road who wish to run into you.

740 is RWD. Which is awesome.
850/V70 are FWD... but in Turbo/ T5 trim make north of 230hp. In T5-R trim they make close to 260hp. Either way they are insane fast for being a brick.

As for the seats, I can honestly say I have never sat in anything approaching the comfort for long distance travel that my 850 Turbo provides. Butt warming goodness coupled with arch support, and just amazing comfort. Buy one for the seats alone.

MPG.... well.... it is a turbocharged battlewagon. What do you think.

Also some Volvo's were built in my hometown... so there is that.

[mitchlikesbikes]

i plan on getting into a v70r as my non e30 daily when my cherokee dies.

300hp
awd
6spd
tons of space

yes please

[M-technik-3]

walking distance to my house

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4730903067.html

volvo 940 wagon

[Das Delfin]

Toyota Cressida wagon > Volvo 760 > Subaru Legacy > Ford Crown Vic wagon > anything else

My first car was a 740 and it was fun but underpowered, however the turbo may not have been functioning. Either way that car died in a fire, which I'm told isn't what normally happens to Volvo 740s. Either way my next car was a Subaru. An 850 is newer and seems better but it's really just terrible unless you get an R. Get a Saab 900 5 door hatchback if you want room but also want to be super super cool.

Whatever you get will be fine as long as it's had a good history, well taken care of, etc, and you do preventative maintenance during the warm months.

[abrokenframe]

I miss my 240! It was a single owner, mint, original everything for $2,900. Here's a pic of damage from getting hit at a standstill by a drunk driver going over 50:



Pushed me 45 feet into an intersection. That accident got me into my e30 though so bitter sweet.

The 240 was extremely slow to accelerate, stop, and turn. Wasn't an issue though. For some reason it's ok in a 240. Even though Volvo's are some of the most solid vehicles out there, they too are getting old and work will inevitably be needed. A newer Honda will probably give you less fuss.

I'd still pick the 240 though. A proper one is a beautiful thing. Classic!

Ryan

[AndrewBird]

E34 touring is obviously the answer here. ;-)

[BLACKCHARM88]

E34 touring is obviously the answer here. ;-)

That or an E39

[Stanley Rockafella]

If you like fixing little things that are constantly breaking when you should be studying, buy the Volvo

If you enjoy partying, having fun, being young, and don't have much scratch for repairs and stuff, get the Honduh.

Take it from someone who owned both while in university

[MF DOOM]

That or an E39

Current owner of an e39. Huge piece of shit. Would never buy one again. The e39 is the reason that im not even considering an e34.

If you like fixing little things that are constantly breaking when you should be studying, buy the Volvo

If you enjoy partying, having fun, being young, and don't have much scratch for repairs and stuff, get the Honduh.

Take it from someone who owned both while in university

Hmm... It would be nice own a vehicle that I didnt have to do anything to besides basic servicing. I think the fuel mileage from the handa might be enough to win me over.

[Andrew325is]

When I was a kid my mom had an '86 Volvo 240 DL wagon and later on she got a '93 Honda Accord Wagon EX. The Honda was nicer with more features (keyless entry, glass moonroof etc). The Volvo was more basic like an E30 but got the job done. I think the Volvo is the way to go if you have little kids or dogs and the Honda is the way to go if you want something nice and more modern feeling. From what I can tell the Accord Wagon went downhill in quality with the '94 model year, so look for a nice low mileage one owner '92 or '93 EX if you can find one.