I hope I'm not being ill-mannered, but this forum does say "General discussion of all types"  :wink:

My son has decided that VWs aren't for him, and is ready to sell his 69  Beetle.  Both of us have gotten interested in Volvo 122s (aka Volvo Amazon).  Well, at least it's a European car that starts with a "V"  :lol:

So: does anybody know of any good 122s up in the Chatt area?

Montysano

Gee, Zen, if I'd have known the situation, I would have written a big cheesy post extolling the obvious virtues of the Swedish steel over the German.  I'm a recreational pot-stirrer from way back. :lol:  :lol:  

Actually, my son is almost 18, definitely part of the neo-hippie jam-band culture, and he just knew that a VW was for him.  But, as I realized as I lay on the icy-cold concrete of my driveway Sunday, enjoying that brisk north wind, the only one twirling any wrenches is me   :evil:

So, the Amazon may be a decent compromise between function and coolness.  Or, it may be a dumb idea.  :oops:  IMHO, the 122 is a handsome car.  I've driven both VWs and Volvos over the years; both have their charms.  But my 200,000 mile well-maintained 240 has never left me by the side of the road.  Not once.  

And lemme tell ya......those Swedes know how to heat a car!  

I can not remember when I last saw a Volvo 122. I did work with a fellow at Southland VW years ago that had every known big block Chevys and 428 Fords. After all that he ended up driving a Volvo 122 that came off the used car lot that had 150,000 + miles on it . I think he paid about $250 for it. He often said it was all around the best car he had ever owned.
     I drive a not so well maintained '92 Volvo 240 wagon with 150,000 miles on it and its been just about bullet proof. Its just a big old under powered tank, but like you said its got a heater from hell and great A/C.
 I would love to own a P-1800 ("The Saint" Volvo).
     Don't get me wrong, I love old VWs ,I mean really old VWs. If it was built after 1974 I consider them as late models. What other car can you think of that every short or long trip is a challenge and great sport ? What other car can you think of thats had more things done to it ?  People fly them, float them , stretch them , make buggys out of them, air compressors, and run underground stuff at Disney World and even gold dreges in Alaska.
     As far as creature comfort, I'll take my old Volvo hands down. It does not burn a drop of oil and gets 32mpg on the road running 75-80mph/ with the air on. I look at the late model VWs with a jaundice eye considering the high manitance /cost they require. How about a $50.000 +
VW SUV that can deliver single digit fuel numbers if you
 take it out and play. Hmmmm !

I bet your son would sing a different tune if he ever drove the Ford 302 ci HO powered 240 GLE that I had the pleasure to sport around one day. I can't remember now who made the" bolt in" kit. They were perfect for the 240 that came with the infamous V-6 that " crapped" out at a early age. Wow ! talk about a "sleeper" :lol:

I bet your son would sing a different tune if he ever drove the Ford 302 ci HO powered 240 GLE that I had the pleasure to sport around one day.  :lol:

Yeah, Dave, that's the car for an 18 year old; I'm sure I can trust him to only drive in a sensible fashion!   :shock:

When I discussed a VW Camper with my wife (we used to have one), she said "Great idea, Doug.  Let's get our son a car with a bed in the back!"   :wink:

Without question , a VW is a whole lot more fun to zip around in than a Volvo wagon, but when its a long trip from point A to point B w/luggage, It will be the Volvo on call unless its a whole "Litter" of VWs where everyone is in the same amount of pain. :lol:  :lol:
   I wonder why its always Mothers that are worried about their sons in VW Sin Bins. Back in my youth, it was always the girl who borrowed her dads Nash Ambassador with the fold down front seats. Sigh !   Drive In, here we come!!!!!!   All the son had to explane was the silly look on his face when confronted by his Mom on his where- abouts and who he was with. Sons can get really creative at that point.  :lol:  :lol: Daughters were just chained to a post in the basement. :lol: