What project car? volvo 242 vs impreza gc8 wagon

Car adhd, just thinking out loud, actually planning project. I don't even know at this point. But here we go. I want to build a fun and unique street machine. Something I can take to meets, participate in road rallies (gumball type), and the occasional track day. Most important it needs to be a TRADITIONAL 3 pedal manual, and have enough room for my 1.5 yr old's baby seat, and cheap sub $2500.

I have been researching impreza GC8 (1993-2001) wagons for several months now. reading as much as I can about engine swaps, suspension and brake upgrades, and all other forms of modification wallet emptying degeneracy. I like that it's light, cheap, has 4 doors, awd, plenty of potential, huge parts and community support. I do not like the anemic stock 2.2l motors, and the wiring involved in any engine swap. All in all, it would probably make the best all around vehicle if I can drop in an engine (ej205 or ej255) that produces 300 awhp. Which nets around 9.5 to every hp.

During my daily (which really translates to hourly) perusal of cl I came across a running and decently sordid 1975 Volvo 242. A totally spartan vehicle equipped with a b20 and m41 4 speed manual. I have always liked these bricks on wheels. The simplicity of design and tank like durability are beautiful in the eye of this beer holder. I like that it's a classic, cheap, and relatively unique. I don't like that this example has rust holes in one front fender and around all wheel wells. according to the owner floors, trunk, and frame are solid and straight. When considering engine swaps the sky is the limit with these things. Volvo b230ft are the most common, but I've seen everything from ford 5.0, lsx to sr20det.

Now that my cards are on the table let me explain something. I have always been fascinated with engine swaps. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to attempt one. Could I accomplish one? Probably not, but I am willing and waiting for the opportunity to try.

As far as my 2 choices, what say you and why?

I know the 242 you're looking at, and it's definitely quite rusty, the interior is all mismatched and would be difficulty to sort, and paint is terrible. I would also probably avoid the 1975 model year as it has many unique parts that are nearly impossible to obtain at this point. If you are not doing an engine swap, be careful with 240 models from 1980-1987, as the engine wiring harnesses are known to crumble, and the non-biodegradable harnesses are now VERY scarce as well.

And seeing as you're in my neck of the woods and I'm currently scouring craigslist for a vintage Volvo, I have to recommend you keep looking for an Impreza.

Bastomatic, sound advice. Thanks. I am leaning towards the impreza. But I can't shake the volvos.

Oh don't get me wrong, they're great cars. Everyone should own a RWD Volvo at least once in their life.

I just traded away a really clean 78 242 2dr.

Ive also co-driven and worked on a friend's 2.2 impreza.

For an enthusiast car.. i think id prefer the impreza by a good margin. The volvo has the potential to be badass after you change EVERYTHING.

The impreza is a passable enthusiast car with very little done to it! Also, i think it's funny you're complaining about the 2.2 and then considering buying a 70s volvo.. they are SLOOOOW. A 2.2/auto impreza will stomp the crap out of a 4cyl/manual 75 volvo. And yeah, you could engine swap it, but you said yourself youve never done it, which means the chances of it being done are automatically pretty low. At least in a reasonable time frame that doesnt leave you driving the 70hp motor around or having the car taken apart with 0 hp for a fairly long time. You could be enjoying the better power/weight of the impreza that entire time. You might even decide it doesnt need a full swap.

The 78 volvo i just got rid of was a creampuff and i still got rid of it and i still say Impreza.

Swaps in that vintage of Impreza are not easy. The mechanical parts are lego, but the wiring is all wrong, so are looking at a hell of a splicing job or standalone ECU.

I agree with the avoid a 75 Volvo. Mechanically they are a one-year hold over from the 140 series cars and they are getting hard to find parts for since a lot of older cars have been crushed.

If you want a volvo go for a newer one - early 80's are best. I had two of them and sold them both becuase around here I found that everyone wanted a mint for parts. POS turbo engines that needed full rebuilds were $1000.