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.