Ok, back up, real talk coming through...
I've been DDing my '90 245 for more than 3 years now and Its been great.
Bought it for $500, drive it with out doing much for about a year then I started dumping money into it. Mostly maintenance items, but splurged with adjustable torque rods, pan hard bar, 25mm sways front and rear. I've done everything myself; its very easily done with basic tools, parts are very cheap new or used.
imo its the best DD. Shit loads of cargo space (76 cubic ft) with the rear seats folded down and a shit ton more with my Yakima Loadmaster rack with extension. It handles very well (with just the sways, but it handled fine before them) and will handle much better once I lower it. Its good on gas, I average around 21mpg on my highway trips while doing close to 80 most of the time (would be much better with out the rack and manual which I plan on swapping soon enough. Some report up to 30mpg with a manual and hypermilling). The power is adequate, lets just put it that way. I plan on slapping on a tarbo once I finish refreshing my '92 wagon.
The '92 is the 5th wagon I've had in my possession. I've made a hefty profit on the others and still DD my first. I plan on cleaning up the '92 and flipping it as well; only bought it for $450 and then drove it 2hrs to my parents house.
Looks are subjective, but when you see it as it was designed, to be the most practical vehicle Volvo could make, it grows on you fast.
Turbobricks, Brickboard and the Bentley manual are all you need.
What else would you like to know?
