I purchased my 87 244 about a year ago with the intention of restoring it nicely over time.

However, we have a new baby and now have realized there simply isn't time to continue tinkering with it, or space to park it since we also acquired new baby transport vehicle.

Need some informed opinions about a reasonable asking price. Here is a description of the car:

White 244 DL (repaint by previous owner looks fine), no rust to speak of.
Running fantastic (NO sputtering, smooth accel-NO issues here at all) after the following service performed by good shop:

Replaced wheels with a set of the Volvo classic alloys--in perfect condition.
Replaced AMM, fuel filter, pinions seal, rear shocks, upper control rod bushings, trailing arm bushings, front struts and mounts, rear main seal, transmission mounts, clutch kit, pilot bearing, remachine flywheel, midshaft bearing and support, oil trap stuff, brake junction block, new instrument panel/guage cluster with working speedo and odo, new rear tires, new front spoiler and bumper in great shape and BLACK not faded. Battery--7year wty is only 1 month old.

The interior is charcoal and is naturally a little tired, but no real damage. Tail light assemblies are old. Windshield seal needs re-installing--no real damage yet, but should be addressed.

Electric locks work, though trunk lock sticks sometimes. A/C not working. Glove box door latch needs relacing.

Bottom line is that the car runs unbelievably well for it's age--the engine is clean, body looks fine, just needs some other typical replacements for it's age.

Will answer any additional questions, but would like some opinions as to what I should ask for the car.

Thanks, gentlemen.

I am replying to my own post in order to clarify my question...

I am just not sure how all the work I have had done should affect the asking price.

Don't expect to recoup a huge amount of the expenditure, but a lot of this stuff has to be worth something to anyone interested in the car.

It's not a subject that the "valuation" resources addresses. That's why I am asking for some opinions.

E.g., if a beat car that barely runs and has some big mechanical issues can be had for $500, then after overhauling the items I list in my original post, would it be reasonable to ask $1500? I understand that "it's worth what anyone will pay," but I was hoping for a glint of comraderie here on sizing up my situation.

Thanks again for any comments.

Wayne Swygert
Columbia SC

Ignore the post below. That guy is being a dick, this type of question is totally appropriate and comes up several times a week.

I see that you are in SC. I think the region of the country you are in has a massive impact on what a 240 is worth. It may be my Yankee elitism coming out, but I can't imagine that your local market for old Volvos is that strong. I'd advise a listing on eBay with an emphasis on the fact that the car is from the south w/ no rust issues and see what happens.
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Jonathan Knauer - 94 945Ti - fun!

If you can sell the car north of you, even just as far as Maryland, the rust free will be a big selling point to people. I imagine in SC rust free is the standard, but up here its exciting. And emphasize the maintence records. You'll never get what you've put into it, but knowing its well maintained will increase its appeal.

agree, volvos do quite well on ebay. knowledgeable volvoists won't pay a lot, but casually aware car buyers who shop ebay seem to like 240s.

the other good point is about markets; there aren't any rust-free examples that can be seen frequently in the East, so non-ebay ads simply shout "overpriced" to most when seeking more than $300 for a 15-25 year old car.

there isn't anything unusual about a 240 that runs great, but the work you have done can return value if many people can assess it. locally you are unlikely to find anyone who knows about even 10% of the work you did. good luck.
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Stef (81 245 B21A SU M46 3.91) 327000km my volvo pages

I apologize if it seems that I am "circumventing" the classified section. Guess I am a little green on the proceedures.

It seems fair to ask what the car's worth before listing it, we discuss valuation on here all the time.
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Drive it like you hate it