For the last 20 years or so there has always been a Volvo 240 in my life. Prior to that it was always a 122, but that's another story.
Less than a week ago I drove the 10 miles back from work around 11:30 PM and parked the '93 245 in my designated spot in the back of my apartment. I set out my trash and recycling so was near the car for another 10 minutes or so. Then I went inside and was visually blocked off from the car and that area. I started playing around on my computer and soon after heard a yell. I thought 'oh well, it's those folks who work at the restaurant across the street messing around' as they cleaned and closed the place.
When a fire truck pulled up to the front of the apartment I knew something was up and went to the back. The front of the Volvo was in flames and the wind was pushing those flames toward the house I live in. I went out but as soon as I opened the door I was directed by a fireman to go out the front immediately. So I collected my cat and went out the front. By the time I got out to the sidewalk the fire department had smashed in all the front windows and the windshield of my most favorite of the five or six 240s I have owned. And the exterior part of decking and stairs of the house were also burning but were safely put out. So by all accounts I (and other tenants of the house) were very lucky.
The extent of the damage to the car is total and the shell is awaiting a salvage companys' attention. Everything in the engine bay that could burn, did. Plus the dash area is totally burned or melted.
The point of my recounting this drama is to let you know about how the fire started, and urge you to check the fuel lines, etc. on your cars. The fire cheif says it seems to have started in the cabin, but one of the resteraunt guys told me it started under the front of the drivers side exterior.
So regretfully I am done with 240s.
Today I am going to look at a Subaru, which is the state car of Alaska and will probably suit me here in the winter state of Maine.
I will miss that smooth riding 245 though.