Hi all,
First time here...great site!
Need some advice. Am getting rid of my Jeep Wrangler and want a Volvo. Had one in collge ('82 240) and loved it. Did most repairs myself, so can handle that. Everytime I get on the road in Atlanta, I fear for my life, want something REALLY safe. (that means a Volvo in my opinion).
Not looking for brand new...can't afford, but am looking around the $5,000 price range.
Since I am familiar with the 240's, wanted advice on newer ones.('85 and newer??) Also, any input into the 740's, 850's, 960's, since I am considering this also. Oh...and am interested in a wagon.

Let me know opinions about models, safety, reliability and probs. on any and all. Thanks in advance!

Could this question be any more broad ranging??

Wow...keep those opinions coming. It's giving me alot to think about. So far, lots of votes for newer 240's. My only concern is this...in Atlanta...I need to be able to "jump" out in traffic. Will I be O.K. in a regular 240 ('90 - 93) or should I focus on the 740/940 turbo (wagon/sedan). Do they make a 240 ('90 - '93) Turbo?. I know...more probs. with the turbo, but is it worth it???

How easy is it to work on the turbo models, not including the turbo itself.

Also, from what I can tell, I need to make sure I get the "bullet proof" B230 engine. Nothing but rave reviews about these engines so far. Is that the same engine in the 740/940?? including turbo versions.

Sorry for all the questions, being a newbie here ya know. Just trying to do my homework before I make a decision.


Thanks for all the help so far...I'm learning alot.

Bud

I'm on my third car. My very first was a 1987 240DL sedan that I recently sold for $1,500. It was in immaculate condition (especially for a car with 250,000 miles) and ran really well. That car will easily make it to 300k with proper maintenance.

The second was an '87 240 wagon that I owned at the same time as the sedan, the wagon now belongs to my older sister. I LOVE the wagons. They're a slight bit slower than the sedans, but a little tweaking will wake them up some.

My new car is a 1990 240DL sedan. I looked at all kinds of cars, kind of wanted something a little different. After driving a LOT of other cars (70's BMW 2002s, old Diesel Benz, etc.) I just couldn't resist this 1990 240 sedan for sale with only 60,000 miles. These cars are so well built, and they just ooze quality. It's amazing. I LOVE my car. I can drive it anywhere an ocean won't prohibit at a moment's notice without much worry. My car was $7,800...right at Blue Book. A little high, but WAY better than any $8,000 Civic.

$5,000 will get you a great newer 240. My mom had a 740 for a while and really missed the 240 she had previously (that was my first 240...thanks, Mom!) The interior just seemed cheap compared to the 240, and I think they have more problems. The 740s are great cars, but they're not 240s.

For city-type driving, the engine is great. There's lots of torque down low to get you scooting. Just don't expect it to KEEP pushing like a V6 or V8...the B230s run out of steam up steep inclines. There were no turbo 240s after 1985.

I highly recommend a 90+ 240. In my opinion, they're the best used car deal out there for the money. For $5,000 you can get a wagon with seat heaters, and other nice luxury touches, that'll run forever and them some.

Good luck!

My seal of approval goes to the 91-93 wagons of both 240 and 740/940 variety.

In my humble opinion, the 91-93 240 was the best since it had been refined a lot over the years with the little details. The air conditioning is more effective and cheaper to maintain in the later ones. That's nice in GA heat. The 91 is available with ABS brakes, and the 92-93 come standard, I believe.

The 90 and up had a driver's airbag.

Flush mount glass is a little bit quieter (91-93, tailgates only started in 90).
--
Chris Herbst, near Chicago, IL. 93 940, 91 240, 90 240, 88 740, 87 240

You should be able to get a cherry car for that money. Like all the other people have said, try going 1990 and newer. If you can, get a turbo, a little more maintanance, but more performance too. I like the 740 myself, but watch out for the 16valve motor. Its pretty durable, but if you don't change the belts religiously, it can bend the valves up. Mainly, 240, 740 and 940 all have their querks. Replacing the heater on a 240 is a b*tch, and the fusebox design isn't all that good either.
However, they all have that bullet proof B230 engine.

I agree w/dlot ... have some patience. The good thing is that your in Atlanta and you will have a bigger selection. Also, many cars in the southeast are less likely to have rust problems. I just bought a '91 245SE from a dealer here in Alabama for $5,000. It was a one owner w/110,000 leather, alloys, 3rd seat, all records. It did have some scraps and small dents but very well maintained. When I was looking, most of the cars I was interested in were in Atlanta. You might want to check with Chris Volvo or Dyer & Dyer. Sometimes they will buy cars from their customers or have a consignment program. That way you can get a car and know it's history.

Good Luck!!!

I agree with the things everyone else has mentioned. I would also recommend a 240 from 89-93. 90-93 will get you an airbag, if you like that, and also the rear hatch has slicker looking glass that is flush mounted. 91-93 will also get you the flush mounted windshield as well.

The 740 would probably cost a little more money to buy than a 240, but IMHO, you get a little more comfortable car. However, it seems like many of the parts for the 740 cost a little more than for the 240.

Both are good choices.

Good luck!
Greg

I'm personally into the 240s. I recommend an 89 or newer 240. Especially a
five speed. The autos are good but take away to much from the car for myself.
The 89 and newer cars have more sound deadening, a new ignition system and
are highly resistant to rust. My mother has a 90 wagon and it's been the
best car she's ever had. Still easy to work on, even for big repairs. The most
important thing is to have some patience. Take your time and look around, buy the car with good karma. The five speeds aren't all that common but they are worth the extra searching you may have to do to find one. Wish you well.
Dave 82 242ti 263k mi.

$5,000? Holy cow. That would be nice. But if were me (but I am a bit strange), I would buy a couple of old 240s and fix them up real nice. Real nice. Just a passing thought . . .


--Joe H.C.
--
1977 244, IPD anti-sway bars, Minneapolis, MN

Bud:

You should be able to find a great 240 or 740 for that price, and maybe still have some change left over to do minor repairs or mods to make you happier with the car. It's also possible you could find a 940 in that price range, but somewhat less likely. I mention the 240, 740, and 940 together because they all have the famed B230 engine (post-1985, anyway), which most will agree is extremely durable and, for the most part, easy to maintain.

Since you're still familiarizing yourself with all things Volvo, be sure to have your possible candidates checked out by a Volvo-savvy mechanic before you buy, just to be sure you're not buying more headaches than you're willing to deal with.

Well-maintained Volvos are some of the most durable vehicles on the planet, in addition to being safe. Before I bought my first brick, I thought 100,000 miles was high mileage. Ha!

Best of luck in your search.

My advice would be to look for a 90's 240. Or at least 88 or newer. That way you will avoid bad wiring, you'll have the sentimentality, and it will still be in decent shape. The 740 and 940 is mechanically the same as the 240, so working on them won't be a problem. The 850 is not user friendly and neither is the in-line six of the 960.

Rene
--
1988 745 GLE B230F M46. Toronto. 370000Km. Suspension upgraded and lowered (B23FT ready for installation). 1982 242 GLT project (B23ET LPT to be included) Also in charge of GF's 1986 244

You should be able to get a slick 245 with lots of life left in it for $5000 or less. The newer the better.

240 240 240
I can not recomend the 240 enough mate
go for the bomb proof 90-93 models
I have a 90 740 and a 92 240
the 240 is a much more well built car you really can not go wrong