Just for kicks and giggles and because I was interested by comments in the post asking when to give up on a 240, I looked into the the CARS program - not that I plan on getting rid of mine. No way. But some casual vacation time dinner conversation also brought up the program...

General information is available here:

http://www.cars.gov

And you can see if your car qualifies here:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/CarsCat3OrOther.shtml

Looks as though vehicles must average a combined city/hwy MPG rating of 18 mpg or less.

My 1989 2.3 auto wagon - according to the site - averages 19 and is NOT eligible.

I tried about 9 other combinations of years and engine and none were "bad" enough to make the cut. Nothing older than a 1984 can qualify at all.

Final thoughts? Keep 'em all on the road!

The EPA fudged all of the old MPG numbers to be more comparable with the new system... this had the effect of sliding the old numbers down by 2-3 MPG.

Funny thing is that all of my Volvo's always got exactly the same mileage that the old numbers suggest... So the new numbers are bogus. It's moot though. I doubt there are many folks who own "eligible" Volvo's that wanna trade it in for a new econobox, which is what most folks are buying through the Clunkers program.

-Ryan



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Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars, GT Braces, Draco Wheels
1991 745 GL 300k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars

I did the same thing, just out of curiosity, and the only 240 that I found that qualified was an 1984 Turbo at 17 MPG. My 1987 245 with automatic comes in at 20 MPG. Still, my car has about 250,000. I drive mainly highway miles and get about 26 MPG. In the 8 years I've owned the car the most extensive and expensive repair I've done is to rebuild the front end. And I did that this year. Total parts cost over 8 years is about $1300. Have done all reapirs myself except replacing the alt. Got stuck and needed it done. So the CARS program would definitely not be worth it too me.

Charles
Houston, TX

I'm pretty sure that the only RWD Volvos which qualify are automatic transmission, turbocharged 740s/940s and the 960/V90/S90 cars.