Thunderbird VS Volvo 240

Okay, here's the deal. In the next few months, I'm going to need a car for cruising 200 miles of highway every week or so. As much as I love the 931, it has no interior, and a constant 90-100 DB on the highway isn't my idea of fun. So it comes down to one of two cars.

A late 80s Thunderbird TurboCoupe, or an early 80s Volvo 240 GLT.

I like the looks of the T-Bird a lot more, but it is 400 lbs heavier. The T-Bird has a turbo 2.3 liter SOHC 4 cylinder, and potential for about 300hp for street use.

The Volvo has a 2.1 liter(can be opened up to 2.6 liters) and potential for about 400hp as such.

Both would have highway gears, and be used mostly for long distance trips... opinions anyone?

well, for miles the t-bird is the best in my eyes. Its pure luxery, its 14sec stock *mid to low 14 that is* Its got great gas miles, sure its heavy but hey, your freeway flying, not drifting. But the turbo coupe is the highest model t-bird of the time, its got all the bells and wistles, its quite a cool ride. :bandit:

Get the TBird..........much nicer on the highway then a Volvo. :)

High miles turbo cars = smoke from exhaust :o

Only if you have a burnt out turbo... In the budget for either would be a brand spanking new Garrett T3(cheap, and still the best)...

I agree that the T-Bird is a great option, but so is the Volvo... it has quite a good ride, lots of power potential, leather seats, air, power everything...

why not a garret t3/t4? spool up fast like a t3 with the boost of a t4. i'm assuming price... but whats the difference in price for the new turbo's?

or jest get a stock t-bird and rally it sence it is a 14 sec car and shouldbe fine with high miles

I would go with the t-bird. Definetly the highway cruiser of the bunch, with good potential for performance.

Actually, the Volvo has a lower final drive, and the 931 beats either of them (5 speed, geared for 160mph)...

Actually, since to get either a T-Bird or a Volvo, I could rebuild the engine in the 931 or the Aerostar, I'm thinking about that.

The 931 is too rough for cruising, but a 4.0/5 speed auto in the Aerostar would be quite nice, and cost about $1500 to pull off... I don't think I could get a good car and make it highway worthy for $1500.

It's now sort of become a competition between the Thunderbird, and the Aerostar :spit:

THUNDERBIRD.

have you honestly ever riden in minians for long distances?

Unless you have some special one, then you never have...or you havent ridden in a nice t-bird of those years. Very plushy and you can get them for really cheep too. Usually....

If my memory serves me correct the Turbo Coupes came with a Garrett T3 stock, and a rebuilt one will cost you $700 or so. If I am correct I say go for the Thunderbird, I can't say enough good things about the T3 turbo or Garrett. The LeBaron had 152,000 miles on it when she got crunched and the turbo was still pumping a healthy average of 13 PSI. That was one awesome turbo.

All the turbocoupes I was looking at used an IHI turbo, and I want a Garrett... As you say, 130,000 miles on the original turbo! Keep feeding it mobil 1 and change the oil every 3000 miles, that turbo will be around to pass on to your kids :D

The aerostar is my shop van though, and it could really use the engine rebuild, new tires, and some suspension upgrading(lowering, adjustable shocks)...

The Aerostar really rides well on the highway! I'd much rather have the Thunderbird, but it's a matter of getting a new car, and sorting out all it's problems, or fixing one I have now...

I have found my future shop car though, a late 70s ranchero!

http://www.ranchero.org/incoming/newton2.jpg

It's got a 400M :)