Edmunds gives a range of $4972-5307 for the '93 240DL but $5683-6383 for the '93 850. I wouldn't touch a '93 850 with tweezers, BTW, because of the propensity of Volvo to use first-year buyers as unpaid test drivers and the multitude of unique parts.

Even so, I just conducted an admittedly un-scientific study utilizing a search of ads using cars.com for '93 240s and '93 850s and came up with 20 hits for 100.000 plus mile '93 850s for sale nationally but only 6 hits for '93 240s.

I still like my car, notwithstanding the electronics allegedly subcontracted to FIAT and the wiring harnesses taped together by disabled people and the general observation that I've not owned a car that was more trouble than my V70 in the last 20 years.

Even so, I wouldn't consider a 240, but that's just me. I think they're woefully underpowered. I barely fit into one.

I like the handling, the power, the better ergonomics, the fit/finish, the ABS, the rustproofing and all the airbags of the 850-SVC70.

200,000 miles for a well maintained B5244 or B5234T? Sure.

300,000? I dunno. The block is aluminum. But there are piles of (relatively) cheap B5244s and B5234s at the recyclers.

If you like 240s and you're familiar with 240s and you don't trust the newer designs, then by all means find a nice low mileage 240. You'll be happier.

-Punxsutawney Phil

'98 V70T5 5-speed, 103,000 mi., sport suspension, Mobil-1 (still uses zero oil between changes), iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Dunlop SP 5000s, Valentine-1