I've been driving 240 wagons for the last 8 years (79 model for 3 then an 83 up until now)but I'm getting the urge to update.Great cars. I was looking at an 850 sedan and an 850 wagon at a local car lot and they look good but I don't know a thing about compering the different models. How do they compere. Do you think I'd be wiser to stick with a plan to buy an early 90's 240. I'd prefer a 240 but they're getting rare around here and I want to stick with Volvo.

If you like the diy aspects of the 240, why not expand your considerations to something at least similar. The 740's and 940's have the same engine/tranny combo and some report that they are even easier to work. I've never even been in a 940, but I can say I have driven several 760 turbos (still the 4 cylinder but loaded) and I like the way they drive. I have also driven 850's and I prefer the 740/60's, except for the 850R I drove, no station wagon should be able to do that!. I like the handling of all of the above but the seating position is hire on the RWD cars which I like coming from pickups and SUVs. The turning radius on the TWD is significantly tighter. Turning radius is not a big deal to some, but for those of us who miss there turns a fair bit, U-turns are daily occurence. Good luck!

Ken
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Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon (not so rusty anymore) 'rustbucket'

It really depends on what you want in a car. 850's are definitely quicker, more comfortable, probably safer, and better equipped. Having said that, they are also more expensive to maintain, more difficult to work on, and probably not as long-lived. And, they have the rare, but real problem of timing belt breakage which can cost you $3500 in about two seconds. 240's are slow, old tech cars, but they look good, are very predictable, and cheap to own, assuming you do some DIY and make use of the hundreds of Volvo grave yards around the country, as well as all the ".com" Volvo parts availability. And, 240's are cool. 240's are RWD. 240's are bullet-proof. 240's are the most functional car ever built. Volvo built its reputation on the 240 -- for good reason. I would take a late model, well-maintained 240, any day. Others may feel differently.

I'm on my 2nd 245, and wife drives a '97 855. Young son also has a 244. Wife and I each put on 25k a year.

The 855 has better occupant safety features; saved my son's life when we were t-boned in the first 855 by a blue-hair in a Subaru. Definitely more creature comforts, and definitely faster. The engine-trans combination is superb. However, with the 240's you know you're driving something... tactile and other sensory inputs are more pronounced. Comparing wagons, the 240 holds more.

Maintenance-wise, the 850 is less DIY-friendly, but ther havee been no major problems. We had 85k on the first one; it was replaced with another '97 with 50k, which is now at 120k. SO I guess we have a combined 850 experience of 155k.

I'm happy to drive either car... but if they gave me a choice between a 2003 245 with a manual trans and a 2003 850, I'd pick the 245!

I would've said the same thing. But it's a given considering this a 240 forum.

Wagons are definitely more practical for hauling stuff. If you are a fix-it type, wagons are preferable. The 245 has more volume.