Indeed. The value is in performing the repair yourself.

Suffering the crappy for-profit mechanic services at up to 140$ an hour will suck the ownership value out of owning a ten year old or older Volvo 240.

That stated, and I'll say I have been told I'm a massively superior and honest mechanic to well practiced and aged ASE and factory certified (I have auto mechanic no certifications) mechanics. (I disagree as to me being good, I won't do this crap for money anymore, as shops are so dishonest, so I've helped like hundreds of folks for free.)

You may be able to get away with a used car. Subaru autos rate quite well.

Any car with 50k miles will begin to require some serious service. Timing belts and belt tensioners. The AWD system, all CV joints on the front and rear axle shafts, and other matters require fresh lube. All fluids or not. Some sensors. Brake pads, and so on. I'm unsure. Newer disposals and consumables may endure longer. Check the Subaru owner manual.

Bushings, like motor mounts, strut mounts, and such, may become suspect at 100-150k. Inner tie and outer tie rods. I have not much feel for it. The materials may have improved and certainly the design of bushings. The steel and other alloys are about the same. Maybe not such the cause for reverence as the crystalline structure Nordic and Germanic steel has, yet Subarus or any quality Japanese vehicle may last as long as your Volvo. Some American brand model offerings seem to be able to acquire many, many miles very quickly, and with oil changes and such, seem to last as long as a RWD Volvo or early FWD/AWD Volvo.

I agree in that it is somewhat expensive to buy the parts and the time (expensive) to replace the parts requiring car downtime and hopefully the wife or a family member has a car you can use for work and such.

While durable, the Volvo 240, 700, 900, heck, all RWD Volvos are a very dated design and components, like the 240 strut mounts, that are very dated and, if using after market, dangerously problematic.

I work more on these three late model (1990, 1991, 1992) Volvo 240s that I own than I drive them. I hope to be able to commute a reasonable distance in them so they heat up entirely, ejecting moisture in the oil and exhaust, and allowing them a cool down while at work, to repeat after work, so I can realize some return on the investment (ROI). That stated, I'd rather be able to walk to or bike to work daily and leave the Volvo 240 in the garage for weekend jaunts and roadtrips. The automobile not as necessity yet as a nostalgic luxury and convenience.

With a recent Subaru or other light n' easy model like the Ford Focus or some such, you may be able to find a three year owld model for cheap with low miles, and be able to find some value after a year or so running.

RWD or older FWD/AWD Volvo ownership require a mandatory fortitude, willingness, and expectation not all will work out all right no matter how well you care for it. I could dump another 500$ or so in each to replace the minor offenses that may cause failure while 1000 miles away on the I-5.

It comes down to the decision of risk and willingness. Do you fight the neglect the Volvo suffered from prior owners, and the entropy and decay that levies downward on your Volvo 240 more so than a 2009 Subaru, Ford Focus, or VW Beetle?

How much fight do you have and how much time are you willing to fight the forces that press down on your RWD Volvo.

For me, it cases me real emotional pain to see these cars so neglected. Each one I own has been horrible so, yet the engines have not needed replacement or rebuild save for one 1979 245 DL like 25 years ago. I was influenced heavily into these cars. And I continue on, yet I have no family nor dependents, so there you go.

If your wife says you can have a hobby that keeps you nearby and your mind sharp, and your hands cut up and stained, smelling of grease and oil for days, caring for that 1995 940 can help you.

If you need not the risk of an older car that needs some manner of care in perpetuity, well, that 2009 Toyota may be alright. Or make it a 2013.

Let's face it: Automobiles are simply a bad investment you do not recoup.

You can realize some manner of value not buying new, yet with low miles and some care for awhile, until the big something breaks.

Or you can be like so many Volvo 240 owners with 300,000+ miles and nary a care in the world for it. Many do exist. I encounter them. I can't understand it, yet that is how it goes.

End of written rambling soliloquy.

Comments?

cheers,

dudded.
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Dud.