I don't like camping, my dogs are pugs and I can't bring myself to part with my Vanagon Syncro because I might need the hauling capacity.

I guess I'm fortunate since I have both sedans and wagons. Granted, the 245 offers more utility, but if I come across a clean 5-spd sedan, I have trouble walking away from it.

Now that the kids are gone, I prefer the sedan for traveling, especially if we're going into the city - there's little that is more secure than a locked 240 trunk lid.

I'll say it again, whatever flavor, the 240 is a high-mark in automotive design. It is tough and honest. And while the clueless might laugh at it's appearance, it is stately and timeless to my eyes.

Rich (near Pittsburgh)

My wagon is far and away the better car. But sedans have their place - for us the grocery getter and kid hauler for short around-town trips. If I had a choice, all of the 240s we own would be wagons, but it can be hard to find good ones as they are often beat to heck, or folks like us just hold on to them and just don't let them come up for sale often. And if you're looking for a late model stick shift wagon ... even harder to find, and they sell at such a premium. The sedans are better for affordability because there are so many more of them out there, so they can be purchased for considerably less.

To build upon Rich's comment and change it slightly

"The 240 WAGON is one of the GREATEST automotive designs of all time."
--
1992 Volvo 240 & 1998 Volvo C70

Hi Harry,

I wholly agree with RicoS' Volvo 240 automobile series sentiment to the letter.

The 240 - A fad with the hipsters, who lack the ability to care for it and the (oh SO stupidly) drifters. Both of these groups accelerate the Volvo 240 drive for the junkyard.

You do not mention the model year of your Volvo 850 series.

The 1991 Volvo 240 is a good year. Well documented, and you will find excellent support right here on your fave brickboard.com and elsewhere on the web.

The same is true of your Volvo 850.

Take a look at the 700/-900/90 FAQ. Some relates to your 240. On the FAQ page deal with OBD, you can relate the Bosch Motronic engine control OBD codes for the fuel injection ECU and the ignition ECU, I think.

Yet as for comparing your 850 and 240 ... well, very simple. In a proposal documentation suite I'm charged with producing requires that I work with the business analyst and risk manager to draft a risk mitigation plan for the program effort.

You own these two Volvo automobiles. So, a risk versus rewards assessment of these two Volvo automobile may help you.

If you look at what it would take to get either vehicle to Stage 0, meaning all is fixed up to be about as good or reliable or mechanically restored as can be when it was new or near new.

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/stage-0.html

You could post here on the brickboard RWD forum listing what your 240 needs and how much in parts and, as you need, mechanic labor, for such repairs.

Post such a list on the AWD brickboard forum.

Thread responses may include older auto ownership strategies, diagnostic, repair, and better pricing on parts.

For example, you may want to run the OBD codes on both cars. Unless the 240 battery is dead as you say it does not run at all. While the OBD on the 240 is less accurate, it can help you in your diagnosis and assessment in deciding whether you keep one, both, or the other.

I'm in the same boat. I have no useful garage. I own three 240s. What am I to do. Other than move while in perpetuating temporary contractor heck.

(I got six rear wheel bearings and they be thirsty for some NLGI-2 bearing grease.)

Questions?

cheers,

Saturday Brickboard MacDuffed.