Manual or auto? *decision made for me*

[filthyjohn]

Right, many of you know my nice tidy vario:


Really clean and straight, 91 GL with the electrics and working seat heaters, 33,000miles, 6 gauge dash etc.
I've busted two propshafts and I fancy converting to manual, since I have all the parts I need lying around. I quite like the vario experience, but the economy's worse and the whole transmission's due for a service (primary/secondary oil+ belt change) now.

Do we think converting to manual will kill the resale value? I'll be looking to sell it when my other 2 are on the road. Maybe CVT puts some people off, but spoilt originality could deter others, and maybe insurance companies could get upset about it.

PLACE BETS NOW!

[SteveP]

I really like that 340 you've got.. tough decision!

If you could get the variomatic transmission working properly I'd vote for that - a nice late specced up 340 vario is quite a rarity. However, I know what you're saying about the fuel economy but if you're not keeping it.....

But... find out why its eating props first

[filthyjohn]

Get off the fence! You can buy it if you like, then it'll be your choice.

*EDIT* I see you voted.

[SteveP]

I really need to get off this site before I end up with another

[Chris_C]

I'd swap a manual box in the back, but then again I keep wanting to see what a vario is actually like. Was going to do a clutched vario (i.e. just swap the prop and box) on Fake, but people keep telling me I'll break things

[volvosneverdie]

aye up John,
At the end of the day its never going to be worth silly money anyway is it?
Cant see a munaul coversion making THAT much difference man. Maybe itll make a few strokey-chin volvo perverts furrow their brows in disaproval. But then again, so does driving sideways.

I say go manaul.

Put the MAN into manual dude.

party on.

[classicswede]

Personlay I would stick with the vario as its great fun and a lovely auto. From a selling point of veiw the 5 speed would probably be better but the hassle of conversion would not be worth it. Its not a quick job

[SteveP]

I think it may be a little confusing removing all of the CVT related gubbins too inside the engine bay. Plus the cvt system is really good when it's working having been in Pete's car.

[Duvel78]

My vote goes to... the variomatic of course!! Check the whole system, it's so nice when it works good. It would be a shame to convert that car to a manual gearbox.

[trabitom99]

The beardies may "furrow their brows in disapproval" but they're the ones who are prepared to spend the most money for a car in original good condition. So if it's the resale value you're concerned about, change the belts rather than the whole system 33000 miles, good equipment levels, and being one of the very last 300s could mean it has classic potential, but you'll probably have to wait for a bit till the prices rise significantly ...

Tom

[volvosneverdie]

Looks like im outvoted.

By better men with far greater technical expertise.

bullies.

and for the record, I do actually wear a full and lush beard

[trabitom99]

and for the record, I do actually wear a full and lush beard

that was noted at a recent Volvo annual meeting too, all the young chaps had blossoming facial hair, wheras the older gents were all clean-shaven

The term "beardie" needs to be redefined

Tom

[jtbo]

My take on this is that if car is original and good shape, it should be kept as it came from factory, mint factory spec car with low mileage can be surprisingly valuable if one finds right buyer.

Also I think history preservation point of view as I have got some odd virus

So I vote for rubber band drive

[volvosneverdie]

Im feeling a liiiiiiittle bit ganged up on now.

Is it too late to change my answer?

And pull all the stickers off my car?

im affraid I may have made some grave errors of judgement.

Good job I didnt spray it matt black in hindsight.

[jtbo]

Im feeling a liiiiiiittle bit ganged up on now.

Is it too late to change my answer?

And pull all the stickers off my car?

im affraid I may have made some grave errors of judgement.

Good job I didnt spray it matt black in hindsight.

Well, you are not yet an old fart that shakes his head when sees car with fart can and tasteless vinyls/graphics which add +7hp each