Hello, I'm new to 240's. (I own an '89 744t) I spyed a 240DL at a price I don't think I can pass up; $884! I don't know the year, but it looks to be a mid-late 80's model. Is there anything inparticular I should really watch/plan for? The interior looks great as well as the exterior. At first glance I couldn't see any rust. Underneath, I didn't see any oily spots on the engine or tranny. The seller was not about so I didn't see much more. I'm looking to buy really soon. Any advice would be great. Thanks!!

(btw, If i do buy it, you'll probably here a lot from me in the future)

Let the owner let you drive it on the freeway... see how it goes then
--
Michael 'Street'... one AZ '85 244DL 185K miles

Personally, for $884, I'd be sure that it runs... after that, you're doing all right. Some people here get great deals, but one of those people is not me. There are things to watch for. Wiring harness rot, floor rot, rust, etc.

I say, if the thing runs OK for that price, it is worth some money. I base everything off of $200/month, because that is the CHEAPEST way you can drive anything, new/used/or rental. If you do better than that, you win. A mere $2500/year to drive a car is pretty good. If you do better than that, you are a serious winner. I watched a dealer take BIDS on a 350k 240DL (1987). He had offers of well over a thousand, for a 'well used' 240. And he turned it down because he needed the body parts. Whatever.

As much as I hate the stupid phrase "Just my two cents", that is exactly what it is. I think, if the car isn't a piece of crap, you're doing OK. In fact, my brother bought a piece of crap 1987 245 in 1999, for $1400. I mean, the thing was really a chunk, with 175k and it hadn't seen the maintenance it should have at that mileage. To_date, he has spent about $1000 on maintenance that varies. Brakes, converter (to pass emissions), oil changes, etc. I did his T-belt and engine mounts, front seals, etc., for nothing. Basically he has less than $2400 into his car, and he got five years out of it. And he is still wondering how to get his 'money' out of the car. I always say, he has gotten his money's worth out of the car. The first time, the second time, the third time, etc. That car owes him NOTHING.

My mother finally parted with her 1990 240, with MAYBE 130k on the clock. It is one of the most lightly used 240s in the world, and she gave it to him. New blower motor, good service, good everything. I could've gotten her good money for that car, being as it was so clean. Now he can get ten more years from it (with only 130k, he's doing pretty well). And he's selling his POS 1987. And the !@#$% thing STILL runs like a million bucks!

Why did I tell you this? I don't know. I type fast.
--
Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

Thanks for the advice! I tend to agree. My philosohy is "as long as it runs good and gets me to where I'm going". The fact that volvos are awesome cars that have extremely long lives and I think they look nice is just a bonus.

I'll post back after I find some more out about the car. thanks again.

240's are Awesome but can't be neglected. I've had 5 and everyone has been a good car. However, they need to be well maintained and watched over because there are some quirks and trouble spots. If you do your own work as I do, you can learn about these on this board and take care of them with only a modest outlay for parts. I've found 240 parts to be very affordable on the internet. I've now bought a 940 for my wife and I'm having to learn a whole new layout. I'm having fun!

I know what you mean. Moving from a 744t to a 240 is somewhat a changing of gears. I've soaked up all I can about 740's and ignored the info on 240's. So, if I do get this car, then it will be like starting over. I'm really excited about it. Then again, I've found another 740 now. This one is an '87 GLE. Aaarrrgh! decisions, decisions!