I have a 1988 Volvo 240 DL, that I love. I wish I could buy a new version of the same car only with cupholders. LOL In thinking about something that I would like for the future, I have come to like the look of the s60 R models with AWD, but I'm wondering how I would like the car mechanically compared to my beloved 240. Would I be able to do any of my own maintance to the car? Is the AWD a maintace headace? How about safty? It seems like manual gear boxes are few and far between, how are they doing in these newer cars? How about the tiptronic. Has anyone got at least to 200k on these newer model volvo's? (atleast AWD)? If so, has any major componets been replaced? Is AWD a Good solution for someone who would very much miss his rear wheel drive car. I drove a Camry once and really did not like the feal of it.

Thank you very much and Happy Bricking.

940 = 240 with better safety, bigger and better sorted - electronics not too bad...get the manual with the m46 and you will feel right at home maintance wise, but the car is nicer than the 240 to drive...

850 = totally different car, but ok...DONT buy an auto before 94/95 (the 93's have a particularly checkered history...) mainteance wise actually not to bad so far for me...oil changes are EASIER than a 940/740/240 cos the filter is nice and easy to get to...

cant spreak of later models, but the laterthe more electronics, after 95 the 850 went form OBD1 to OBD2 which means you need areader to pull the codes...

if you do lots of your own work and like RWD i would buy a late model 940 with the b230ft engine....and then spend the money you save over a late model sorting it, or having it sorted...

my experience ive based upon...(cars i have known intermately!)

71 144 Delux, b20 m46 i believe (cant remember for sure!) killed by rust (eventually) more miles on it than would be decent to mention!

91 744 b230e, 250k+ miles m46 (got maried from this one!)

88 745 b230e, 180k miles m46 (killed by engine corrosion...change that antifreeze!)

92 945t, b230ft, 145k miles, m46 (serious oil usage problem...but I WILL overcome - or die trying!) - the most fun to drive of the lot! - and will swallow a wardrobe!

95 854 2.5 20 valve auto, 65k miles, goes, stops, dead comfy! my everyday car now..change the auto box fluid often!

89 245 b200e m45,150k miles too new to the family to tell you much but seems ok (note fill/drain plugs on the box are a B&*^&D to get out!)and being an E that flametrap is a SOB! (compaired to the ft)

If you want to replace your 240 (why?! If it runs and in good shape - keep it), get a late model (like 1993) 940. You'll get the familiar mechanicals and many of the 240's design problems are solved (easy heater blower replacement :)). My wife used to have a 240 that we both loved. She got into an accident in it (walked away along with our two kids) and it was totalled. We replaced it with a '93 940 wagon and are very happy with it. Not a speed demon by any stretch (actually quite a bit slower than a 240 because of extra weight), but a great car! And all that room! Ours has a third seat, which makes it that much more useful.

I am happy with my '98 S70 (non-AWD), but the newer generation of Volvo's don't have that distinct Volvo feel IMHO. They are very nice, perhaps even nicer than the '98 in terms of road noise and handling, but they are rather generic. I know I will get a lot of flack for this, but the current generation of Volvos are not that different from any other luxury brand (Lexus, etc.). It is not a bad thing necessarily, just the way the market forces are acting. Again, I liked driving them, but I also liked driving a Lexus. I feel the 850-based cars (up to 2001, I believe) were the last ones with the unique feel to them.

Good luck.
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Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual - his, '93 945 - hers,

I can't shed much light on the latest versions, but we have a '98 trouble free AWD (78k) as well as the list below my signature. In general, I think that AWD makes the cars somewhat duller in response - it is more muted. With the XC versions, they are also less responsive in absolute terms as well due to softening up suspensions, raising overall height and center of gravity, and running tall sidewall tires. Straight front wheel drive avoids much of this, although it is still not as light and nimble and tossable as the classic RWD in a well balanced model. My 850 turbo wagon is actually quite nimble, short turning radius, some front torque steer, but on the whole, a ball to drive versus XC. Newer Volvo's seem to have given up the nice tight turning radius, but the sportier models still give lots of good feel for the driver. My sister in law has a 2002 S60 T5 with 5 speed manual and she loves it. I don't think so much of the action of the 5-speed or the clutch action compared to say my BMW 325, but otherwise it is a very nice ride. Note: no Camry that I have experienced comes anywhere close to the driving responses of any recent Volvo, so you really need to go and drive a few.

From a mechanical viewpoint, these new cars bear no relation to your 240. Everything is crammed together and hard to reach due to front drive packaging. Also, my impression is that the newer the model, the less substance there is in things such as material thickness and durability (interiors, plastics, paint depth, etc.). Even my 850 has more durable interior trim than the V70, despite being essentially the same car. On the other hand, some of the routine maintenance chores are actually easier, and come less often. I would say that DIY maintenance is still viable for a variety of expected chores, but not as much as in 240 unless you invest in special electronics and tools. DIY'ing will allow you to deal with the various minor gremlins that seem to bug lots of the newer cars, and should make overall ownership much more satisfactory than for those owners who have to go to the dealer for each bad switch, etc. If you read these boards, it seems that quite a lot of the "issues" can be delt with pretty easily and cheaply (cheaper?) by a handy owner. There may also be a trend of early teething problems but getting more trouble free as they age (compared to others).

Anyway, that's my subjective thoughts on teh subject ;-)


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Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (171k), '93 965 (147k), '95 855T (60k), '98 V70XC (78k). Past Volvo's: '85 744 (256k), '86 245 (165k), '86 245 (195k), '88 745 (208k).