Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 2/2005 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Do the math 200 1989

Although I do not agree with all the math here there is almost no way to justify a new car financially.

Depending on where you live, the difference in insurance can finance half your repairs.

Average new car payment is about $425/month. Do you really spend that on your brick.

The average fuel economy is about 6 mpg better than a non-turbo 240. For a 12-15K miles/year family, that is about $500-$700 you have saved with a newer car per year.

Were I live, the TAXES for a new car purchase will finance a year of maint plus a new set of tires.

All these things being said, if you look at specific features offered on new cars and their reliability, some are hard to argue:

A 240 is dependable (if properly maintained) but it will never approach current new car reliability of just change the oil and go for the first 100K miles.

Only the 1991-1993 have good AC.

None are quiet without additional work.

"Infotainment" or even just bluetooth integration is DIY.

You are never getting a heated steering wheel. Even heated mirrors are rare and rarely operational (I require three feature on all car here in the north: Heated seats, heated mirrors, cruise)

You will never get memory electric seats.

You only get a max of one airbag.

Of course in a new car you never get:

Simple maint processes
A decent tow rating
20 plus years of parts commonality for used parts
10 plus years of searchable support on a website like this
Small wheel, big tires so you have plenty of sidewall meat for the potholes that can qualify a craters
With certain exceptions, the phenomenal outward visibility






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New 2 a new car or the old brick? [200][1989]
posted by  anthony2  on Fri May 17 22:33 CST 2013 >


<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.