Guys (and gals),

My '86 240 is getting long in the tooth. Quite possibly the best car I have owned with a view to reliability, but I am at 280,5xx now and I would be surprised if the engine goes more than 350K. That would give me another 4 years with the car, which would be great. Only problem is that I am getting "bored" after driving the same car every day for 17 years!

I have put some money into the car, but not an exorbitant amount:
-Steering Rack (225K)
-A few sets of tie-rod ends and ball joints, every 75-80K or so.
-Radiator (150K)
-Water pumps (80K, 180K, 250K)
-Trailing arm/panhard rod/torque rod bushings (175K)
-Alternator (150K)
-Clutch (original at 180K!)
-Overdrive rebuild (180K with clutch job, it had symptoms starting around 160K)
-Center carrier support/bearing (150K)
-Cat converter (3 since 1990, cheap aftermarket crap)
-Cat-back exhaust (x2)
-Wiring harness (2001)
-Air mass meter (x2 since '90)
-Fuel pump mounted under the back seat (>200K)
-Blower motor (2002)

A few miscellaneous things. Overall, I would say that the frequency of repairs has been above average for an old car and given the fact that I have gone almost 300K on the original engine and transmission (and starter!), I can hardly complain.

I am looking at replacing the car with possibly a VW Golf TDI. From what I have heard, VW has rectified the build quality issues that plagued their assembly plant in Mexico, and the new TDI's are supposed to be very reliable. They also deliver 42 city and 49 highway with a stick, and 170 ft.-lbs. from 1900 RPM. Oh, and a five-star crash test rating. Resale value is very good, it's common to see '00 and '01 models with 120K miles going for $8-$10K.

Sounds very tempting to me. The 240 is a bigger car, but I don't have many passengers, no kids, and do not have a need to haul around a lot of cargo.

I would still keep the Volvo and drive it until it blew up (which could be several years, LOL). The VW would be my new commuter car/daily driver.

What think yee of the Brickboard?

Thanks in advance for all opinions/feedback/bashing. :-)

I HAD A 1992 JETTA AND IT WAS TYHE BIGGEST PIECE OF CRAP I EVER OWNED. NEWER JETTAS ARE EVEN WORSE MY FRIEND HAD A 2004 JETTA AND SOLD IT LAST YEAR. AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THE ENGINE WENT BAD AFTER CONSERVATIVE DRIVING AND DEALER MAINTAINENCE. THE OIL PUMP WENT BAD AND WAS NOTICED AND REPLACED. SENSORS FAILED CONSTANTLY DEALERSHIP COULDENT FUIGURE IT OUT. WHAT A PEICE OF CRAP, I WILL GO TO HELL BEFORE I BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN (EXCEPT FOR AIRCOOLED ONES)

my daughter and son in law went the vw the route for one of their cars the other being a 240 i gave them all tweaked to run right. the vw was new. the 240 was 8 years old at the time of my gift. and the 240 still ran better and was more reliable than the NEW vw.

expect to pay "much much more" from the get go to keep your vw on the road.

hello all
i like the look of the VW.
some friends have bought them, but parts just seem to be poor and some fall off in your hands.
too bad.
i guess if one could procure a old bug then maybe?
good luck
mike

George:

The TDI is not a bad choice. If you are looking for a semi-sporty 2 door, consider holding on until early next year and go for the C30. C30, TDI, or whatever else, don't be surprised if your 240 outlives them!

jorrell
--
92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

George,
I too have an '86 sedan that I bought for my daughter's first car that had 180K on it when I bought it. It's mine now and just turned over 366K 2 days ago still on the original engine and transmission. It's had less things done to it than yours, but having the a/c retrofitted 4 yrs ago. I was also looking at the Rabbit, but found out that the diesel version won't come out until the 2009 model year (fall 2008) and will include the Jetta and other models in diesel form. Hope this helps some.
--
'86 sedan with 366K miles with original engine and automatic transmission

Are you looking at the hatchback version. Is the TDI a deisel version. I think it is an excellent idea. According to Top Gear (Jermey) the VW GTI was the one of tghe best car he has driven especially in the tight hilly roads.
Regards
Gopesh

"Are you looking at the hatchback version. Is the TDI a deisel version."

Yeah, I am looking at the 4-door Golf, which is a hatch. The TDI is a turbocharged direct injection diesel. 1.9L with the injectors mounted in the head, an air flow meter, an oxy sensor, and a catalyst. I believe that it is a variant on Bosch Motronic. Has a Garrett intercooled turbo that has an interesting feature...instead of a wastegate, the vanes of the turbo can be rotated so that the exhaust gasses bypass the turbine at high rpm's. This is controlled by the ECU. At low rpm's the turbo spools up to full boost at only 1900RPM!

The sucker makes 110hp and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque. More powerful than a 240 and 50% better fuel economy.

"According to Top Gear (Jermey) the VW GTI was the one of tghe best car he has driven especially in the tight hilly roads."

Does Top Gear have any articles or reviews on this car that one can find on the 'net?

Thanks.

This man is motivated.

A quote "Monthly magazine from the team at BBCs Top Gear programme. Very broad audience and highly entertaining. Includes reports from the one and only Jeremy Clarkston."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xygRpztT5Jo
Remember, this is a GTI. "Makes a very fat, very middle aged man feel, young again!"

http://www.topgear.com/drives/E8/A1/

Tom

"Overall, I would say that the frequency of repairs has been above average..."

I meant to say, BELOW average... :-)

Nice car great handling, go for a GTI just don't expect the VW's longevity, repair frequency and cost to be anywhere near your 240. Dan

I once owned a gas 1990 Jetta for five years. Volkswagens are popular cars considering their reliability issues. My Jetta cost a small fortune to maintain and left me stranded numerous times. It was a nice car to drive but don't miss it.