$2000 Challenge: Daily drivers–like this Volvo 242–are welcome, too

• Entrants: Dave and Jim Woodson
• Event year: 2003
• Budget spent: $1943

The beauty of the $2000 Challenge? You get to build what you want. Mild or wild, a ticking time bomb or a sensible daily.

After our 2003 event, Dave and Jim Woodson planned to use this 1984 Volvo 242 for day-to-day transportation. No crazy swaps, no junkyard turbo. Instead, …

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Adjusted for inflation, that $1943 Volvo 242 comes out to around $3300 in 2024 money.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that doesn't sound too unreasonable for a 242 nowadays.

I had a 242 ('old man beige' color) but I simply loved the car and installed an IPD suspension kit and Bilstein shocks, which transformed the car.  Was contemplating a V8 swap until I realized it wasn't my dream build, so I sold it to make room in my driveway. 5 cars is too much in an urban area...

But isn't a point of the $2000 Challenge to eschew sensible approaches...? 

I once test drove a Volvo 240. Looking back, should have bought it. :) 

David S. Wallens said:

I once test drove a Volvo 240. Looking back, should have bought it. :) 

Wanna try again?

https://augusta.craigslist.org/cto/d/gloverville-1989-volvo-for-project-or/7786576499.html

Or a wagon?
https://maine.craigslist.org/cto/d/litchfield-1978-volvo-245-dl-obo/7792615631.html
https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/d/hampton-volvo/7793049072.html

In reply to Mr_Asa :

Perhaps but, to be honest, not up for a project. A totally mint one, maybe. I have a friend who would totally dig a white wagon, ideally with a stick. Maybe we’ll go halfsies.