Ideas and Thoughts

[Stephen Edwin]

Buying something more economical and selling after the holiday sounds like a plan, especially if you can get a left hand drive car assuming you will be driving on the right? And you'll keep the mileage down on your Volvo ... kushtie.

[Velorum]

Originally Posted by radiomark

can you get European breakdown cover ok with an old car?

The last time I drove a 240 to France (2008) I had to pay a £120 supplement on my AA membership to cover breakdown and recovery. This would have been a lot cheaper but for the fact that the car was over 20 years old.

[rustytoba]

***In response to "doubt youll get much over 25mpg with a slushbox - does it have a lockup ?"***

Not too sure about that, I know its a AW71, I realy should look at its ID plate I supose.

Rusty

[rustytoba]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

4500 miles is a LOT. It's not unknown for people to buy something to do a big trip like that and sell it for the same price or higher when you get back. Careful buying might go someway to covering your petrol costs. Worth a thought.

It would make sense but I have a plan to do as close to 1000000miles as I can.

Rusty

[rustytoba]

Originally Posted by radiomark

Agree with this.4500 means you must be going abroad.can you get European breakdown cover ok with an old car?
or rent something more economical.

Yeah abroad: Glasgow, France, Andorra, Spain, Portugal, and back, a bit of a road trip.

European cover not really they tend to shy clear of anything that involves thought, but Volvo's don't break down they just need a rest from time to time.

I think the spirit of the adventure may be taking hold.

Rusty

[oman5]

I must admit, I was surprised how GOOD my 240 Torslanda is on fuel, nothing like as bad as I was expecting. something to do with not producing much in the way of power, probably.
It's normally around 30 mpg which is fine. thrashing it hardly seems worth the effort, it's never going to be a fast car.

[rusty244]

Originally Posted by rustytoba

***In response to "doubt youll get much over 25mpg with a slushbox - does it have a lockup ?"***

Not too sure about that, I know its a AW71, I realy should look at its ID plate I supose.

Rusty

If it's an AW71L it will have lockup I believe, otherwise not - I can't imagine it making a huge difference though.

Certainly with my AW70, top gear is pretty tall and works nicely for 70mph ish long runs. Even approaching 3 figure speeds, the rpm is relatively low which doesn't make for great acceleration but presumably helps with economy.

I know they aren't quite as fuel efficient as the manuals but the AW70/71 are lovely and smooth and totally indestructible by all accounts - more than can be said for many modern auto transmissions.

On regular Manchester-London trips without driving especially for economy I could often achieve very late 20s, getting on for 30 mpg in my 2.3 carb saloon.