Don't buy your daughter a 200 series Volvo!

I got a 1999 Buick Regal with just about 100k from a City of New York auction and gave it to my daughter to go to Penn State. Best thing I ever did.

I still have my 240s, but she never would've survived a 240. Remember these cars are now twenty to twenty-five years old. They are very very tired and they were designed back in the late 1960s for deployment in the early 1970s. The series has lasted so long because it was very popular at the time. But that time is gone. We are all living in the past, and we should recognize that. Do not expect the 240, which is quickly becoming a historic collector's item, to be daily transportation.

The Buick cost me $2000. A year later one like it came up at the same auction and sold for $4000! I've put in about $2000 in the car, but I'm still ahead of the game as it reaches 150k. It has air bags and is really solid.

Look for a GM W body like the Regal or the Chevrolet Impala. There are also equally good Ford products, such as the Gen 3 & 4 Taurus. They also have a club and site just like the Brickboard. Taurus' are a little more difficult to work on and both Jimmys and Fords are difficult to get parts for because the manufacturers are flushing parts from inventory for balance sheet reasons. However, Dormann and other off-shore parts producers are building a lot of exotic, but necessary parts, for these very popular domestic automobiles just as Scan Tech has been building parts for the 200.

The domestics ride a lot nicer are just as safe as the 240, perhaps even safer because the 2002 and later cars have six way air bags. The alternative is to look at a FWD Volvo like the S60, etc.

Also crash parts are less expensive and highly available from China based sources for 1990 - 2000 domestics. I suspect the same is true with the S60 and later model Volvos. I've also heard good things about the new mini-cooper when it comes to crash survivability. It beats the older Ford F150 pick up for passenger compartment survivability.

My first new car was a 1984 DL. I had to sell it when I moved to Birmingham-lots of stoplights on inclines made it a nightmare for a standard shift.

I recently came across a 1989 240, one owner, serviced by one mechanic in very clean shape. The seller was a gentleman and a scholar and we picked it up for a very fair price given that everything works and there is no major maintenance pending based on the mechanics records.

We are thrilled with "Sven" and I am having big time flashbacks to my beloved 240.

One thing to remember is that while newer cars may have air bags they also have computer controlled ignition systems that cost more to replace than the car is worth.

We have what has over the years, become a joke in our family, they groan "oh dad". As new drivers, my boys and I sat in their "new" 18 year old Volvo wagons [at the time] and I would ask "what is the most important safety device in the car". They would variously go through the list, brakes, tires etc. The answer was/is ...THE DRIVER. So no matter which set of wheels they end up with, remind them they are the biggest contributor to their own safety and the safety of other. It worked for our family - made it through teen driving years with no accidents in 1979 and 1988 245 wagons.

Get airbags. And definitely get ABS. ABS has saved my butt from 3 serious accidents: Driving like a fool and winding up in an orchard, a semi running a red light in the rain, and a driver turning left across 3 lanes from the right hand turn lane.

SIPS is a good idea, but I don't know if they had that in the 200s. I have a car with an M46 with the electric overdrive and I think it's an overcomplication. I'd much rather have an M47, despite their potential 5th gear issues because the M46 has guaranteed issues after a certain number of miles or years.

I'd also look for one with power mirrors and without a turbo. Turbos are lots of fun... and that's a safety issue with a new driver. Power mirrors let people adjust them easily and safely without reaching across a car or settling for less than good adjustments.

Good Luck!
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

Yup, 93-95 940 is a good choice. Dual airbags, SIPS (side impact protection system). No manual tranny though.

Or 92-93 240 with single airbag and ABS.

Not long after my daughter got her licence and became reasonably proficient on our minivan automatic, I taught her to drive the 1983 240 with the M46/OD. Those were some stressful outings! She drove it for some years, but when she moved to the SF Bay area I felt that the 940 was safer and traded cars with her. During a visit I discovered the problem with young women and automatics...they can TEXT WHILE DRIVING!

So - perhaps you can teach her on an automatic until she is reasonably skilled, then get her a std. A manual requires the driver to avoid distraction and be much more involved with the driving function.
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Bob: son's 81-GL, dtr's '94-940, my 83-DL, 89-745(V8) and 98-S90. Also 77-MGB and some old motorcycles.

For the inexperienced it's a lot easier to be a good driver with and automatic. just my 2 cents ...

I would buy a 93 or later 940. These years have side impact protection. My 18 year old niece, while driving a full size 1990 Mercedes with similar Side impact reinforcement, was hit by a pick up truck in the drivers door. Estimated speed was 45 mph. While they had to cut her out of the car. The only repercussion was that she had an excuse not to take high school gym class for a month.

Antilock brakes are a good idea for a new driver. Optional in 1991, standard 1992 and 1993.

But why not consider a 940? Same drivetrain as a 240. Handles more like a modern car, is extremely stable, and will also have a drivers airbag and antilock brakes. 1994 and 1995 will also have a front passenger airbag, and 1993-1995 have a redesigned unibody to significantly improve side-impact performance. Only drawback I see is that manual trannies are much more rare in the 940.

john

I would recommend a 91 or later due to the upgraded AC system (although still R12). If you want one with R134 (no conversion costs) on the AC, 93 is your only option unless the AC has already been converted. The 93 also has the B230L engine which is a B230F with oil squirters to cool the pistons... excellent for longevity and the near elimination of piston slap on cold start-up.

jorrell
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92 245 299.3K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!