Okay, I'm really really excited. The wife (who loves her '89 Civic) and I went to look at a 91 244 today. She likes the looks enough that I think I can persuade her to unload the Honda death trap before we have our second kid. We will have an all-Volvo driveway and I can stop paying the damn mechanic to work on the Honda.

Here's the details, asking price is $3900, I'm going to try to get it for $3500 Please give me your estimate as to the value of this car

91 244 white.
137K
AW71 (thats the overdrive auto right?)
leather seats
sunroof
New Mexico car, zero rust, body is very straight, paint and interior good.

I know how to determine the condition of the mechanicals, we haven't test driven it yet but I'm basing my price on the assumption that it doesn't need anything major. If you know of anything specific to this model year I should look for, do tell.

Did I mention that I was excited?


--
82 intercooled turbowagon 235K

I bought a 91 240 in December of 2000 with 115k miles on it. The body is almost like new...NO RUST...NONE. Undercarriage has original undercoating..no rust. Everything works..it will do 90 mph all day, no problems. I paid $3900 in Dec 2000, and the tires had another 20k on them. I now have 165k miles.

Since purchase, I put in $1000 for parts, I installed myself, almost all preventative..the car has NEVER failed me. Parts include;

front rotors, front wheel bearings and seals, radiator, radiator hoses, all belts, water pump, timing belt and tensioner, tranny mount, motor mounts, O2 sensor, rear shocks, front struts, front brake lines, brake pads all around, brake hardware, rebuilt all wheel cylinders, all bushings (use urethane whenever possible), outer tie rod ends, ball joints, wire grids for seats, plugs, distributor cap, ignition wires, flame trap, carrier bearing and rubber housing, replaced all universal joints, tranny filter and oil, antifreeze, exhaust and hangars from cat back, fuel filter, four michelin xone tires, CD player and speakers.

the way I explained it to my family was that buying the volvo instead of a new car saved me a $550/month car payment plus another $50/month for collision insurance, thats $600 per month for 22 months, or $13,200, so far.

It paid for two kids tuition, books and expenses at junior college for two years.

Without knowing where you are - regional markets vary - sounds like a good price to me. For leverage you can tell them that at this mileage, all shocks, struts and bushings will need to be replaced, timing belt & tensioner, and major brake job (unless any of those are documentabky taken care of). I did all that on the kid's '91 244 this summer, and dropped about $750 on parts. But overall, if you can get it for $3500 AND get rid of the Honda, I congratulate you!

Hi Bob!

I know just how you feel! I am excited for you too! I'm not sure where you're located, but here in California a 91 240 in the condition you described would fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $3000 - $4000+. But it really varies depending on the seller or location of city. Just as a reference, I recently purchased an 89 245 for $2000. It was originally advertised for $2350 (if I recall), but I ended up getting it for $2000--that was the seller's cut-off point. I was fine with that. The car is white with beige vinyl interior, has about 178k, power sunroof (no leaks), heated seats, power windows, and it's in awesome condition. The car is mechanically sound and runs splendidly. I'm not sure if I got a deal or not, but I think I did. I usually like to ask the seller why he (or she) is selling the car. The seller was frank and said he just needs the money. Sometimes you can get a good deal if the seller just needs money. Patience and a bit of luck is important in car shopping. If you really want that car and feel that the asking price is fair as it is, get it soon before someone else does! But don't rush yourself though. You'd be surprise how many people want a 240 despite the popular belief that the general public finds that car to be aesthetically challenged! Volvos are sexy!

AW70 automatic on naturally aspirated versions.

It is basically a 240GL, except they didn't offer a "GL" in 1991. That car would fetch way over four grand up here. I'd say the asking price is very fair, and your offer is reasonable. If it is TRULY a needs nothing car, then the price is excellent. Assume it'll need a few things here and there, and consider the price to be decent even in light of that. Esp with leather and sunroof. If it has ABS brakes, that's a big plus.

--
1992 940 wagon, low miles
as well as others.

"Volvo only driveway" :)

Check out IPD. They have a "VOLVO PARKING ONLY" sign.

mormit
85 245DL, 02 S40

volvo, yes, yes, get it. If it sounds and feels right, get. My last two volvo's I bought were at night time. I just drove them, and could feel how well they were maintained. Checked for leaks and the coolant. I bonded with them instantly, never did have any problems.

On a side note, I must confess, that my mom's Accord just broke the timing belt, and I can't be happier.

240 sunroofs are very rare, the price is about fair. Begin with a $3000 offer!

240 sunroofs are rare? Geez. Have mine please. I would LOVE to find a 240 Turbo sedan with no sunroof (rather, I'd love to have a wagon as well but those are just as hard to find). Unfortunately I'm a bit attached to mine at the moment.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

AW70. The AW71 was a turbo only tranny. They both have overdrive.

I would think that to be a fair asking price. I have been shopping myself for while. If it was a 245 I was going to tell you he was ripping you off and then ask you for his phone number. ;) (I'm shopping for a 245) Good luck with it.

This may be a silly related question! But what are 244 and 245 models? I own a 240 wagon but have never seen a volvo with 245 or 244 number on the body.

Vin

As I understand it:
200 is the model
the middle number is the engine cylinders
the last number is the doors

242 - Two Doors and four-cylinder engine
244 - Four Door and four-cylinder engine
245 - Five Doors (Station Wagon) and four-cylinder engine

262 - Two door with a six-cylinder engine
265 - Wagon with a six.

gl - higher trim level
dl - lower trim level

Add a "T" for turbo

Thus a 240GLT - Has No doors but has a four cylinder engine with a turbo. ;)

Don't worry every brickster had to learn it somewhere too.

And if you own a wagon you own a 245.

I heard IPD sells a kit to install doors on the 240..

Bob, That sounds like a kick-a$$ deal especially for one with leather seats and sunroof. I have a sunroof, but no leather!! I would have loved to have leather. The 91 came standard with driver's-side airbag. I don't care much for the color white, but with these options and low miles, it's sounds like an excellent deal.
As you are familar with Volvo's, these will keep on running. The b230f is still a timing belt which will need replacement every 60k. Take it for a test drive and check it all out.

Good luck,
SM
--
90 BMW 325is, 98 BMW 528i, 90 Volvo 240DL