So, I have always loved the boxy Volvo station wagons my wife's cavalier finally died and I got the green light to purchase one. I have heard from several different people that I won't be able to find parts for this car, or that at the very least it will be terribly difficult having to mail order stuff from Europe and dig through junk yards. Is this true or are they just naysayers? I really like the car but don't want it to be as hard to get parts for as my old military vehicles are.


Biggles

 

Naysayers.

True, Volvo is continually discontinuing production of parts, and stuff you can buy can be expensive, like all OEM stuff. Just go with TascaParts.com for good prices. Mechanics can be expensive as well, but these cars are easy to work on and you can replace the expendibles yourself. Spend the the money, go OEM suspension wise, and you should be set for a long time.
You can even get away with never replacing anything like majority of 240's owners, and still be rocking 300,000 miles later.
It goes both ways.

Have you taken a look at the yards in your area? Would be best to get a dirt cheap 240 for parts in addition to that 1992 wagon you are looking at, right?

 

Yeah, I'd thought about searching for a parts car as well. That Tascaparts site seems to have everything I could need. I'm not so worried about being unable to find parts for it now. Thanks!

 

What is the reason behind going oem suspension? I mean I certainly don't plan on lifting it or lowering it or anything. The one I'm looking at is stock with aftermarket swaybars but I'm just curious do the HD suspension components create other problems?

 

I see no reason whatever to stick with the OEM suspension unless you really like the way a stock RWD Volvo rides and handles...

 

I'm talking bushings, tie rods, ball joints, mounts, not necessarily shocks or springs or sway bar wise. Just the rubber stuff should be OEM.

 

I would respectfully disagree. There are all kinds of good reasons to use polyurethane instead of rubber bushings, although I seem to remember someone - I think it was Pierce - saying that certain brands are better than others and some are to be avoided entirely. The bushings on the rear of a 240 are such a bitch of a job that you will never want to do them more than once in your lifetime. So says the mechanic that actually did the job for me; I didn't want to do it all, after reading what was involved. I used IPD Poly bushings and am very glad I did; no problems (rough ride, squeaks, etc) whatever.

Having said that, if you decide to stick with rubber for reasons of economy - poly is expensive - then I would absolutely stick with the OEM stuff rather than the rotchahootchie -made in China/Mexico- house brand that you typically find at auto parts stores.