My poor old 240 has bitten the dust. Time to replace it with either a 240 or 740 wagon. I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me. I'm in SE Connecticut, looking for a better condition automatic wagon, by the way. Oh, has anyone dealt with Kenmore Auto in Brookline, MA? They have a large inventory of Volvos and I'd consider the drive if they are reputable and trustworthy. Thanks!

Brookline? Should be spelled Br$$$kline.
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Br$$$kline --- I hear that. Daughter is going to BU Law School. No I don't have that kind of money. She earned a great scholarship, and the rest is from from Uncle Sam and State of MA. (Yes -- They want it all back.) It is amazing how much money a 23 year old kid without a job can borrow.

Still looking for a shop in that area to send her to if the '87 740 needs some help. Any experience out in that area? Is Kenmore sales only or 'sales and service'?

Dan

Word on the street is that Swanson Auto Service is really good. Go to www.volvospeed.com, click on Dealerships, click on Mass. and a bunch of ratings for Mass Volvo shops will pop up. My sister, a Boston local, recommended Swanson, and others say it's a good shop. Check them out.

Thanks for the tip. This sounds like the kind of place that I am looking for and it is less than two miles from where she is living. I'll have her check it out before an emergency comes up.

Dan

I live in RI and just purchased a 1990 240 Wagon in Ct. Been to Kenmore's sister site in Hanson, Ma. He had a 1993 240 Cl that I really liked but it was an auto and $3000 more. He tends to be kinda pricey but he definitely knows his Volvo's. Brookline is in Boston so that makes the prices even higher. What's up with your dead Volvo year problem etc? I have acces to a flatbed and will drive to save the right Volvo from the scrap heap. Have you tried traderonline.com?

Where Shall I start... She's a '90 240 sedan with 222,000 miles. Wife bought her new right out of college. Her dad told me she did nothing to it until it just stopped running after a year or so. No oil changes, tune ups, NOTHING! The fact that it has run this long is testament to the 240's durability. Auto tranny is dead (I think)- been slipping for months and now has putrid odor and no reverse. Driver's power window falls out of its track (mechanism is all bent out of shape) so often I have had to drive it without the door liner for 2 years. Can't justify the $500 or so dollars to fix the window. Muffler rotted off long ago. Windshield is pitted to the point that driving into the sun is downright scary. Windshield seal above driver is failing and it rains and snows in the car when driving. Radio crapped out. Clunks from front end when turning around in the driveway. The tires are good for another year! Third spark plug back is cross threaded in hole. Front passenger seat mounting bolts fell out- my 3 year old grabbed it from his rear seat and I watched as the front seat rotated back and down into his lap! AC gave up long ago. Tranny drips. Reverse lights won't work even though fuses and bulbs are good. Blows tail and turn signal bulbs regularly. Cap to coolant reservoir turned brittle and was broken by Expressway during last oil change. Basically I'm sick of the lack of comfort/convenience and it's time to stop the madness. Maybe we can talk once I find a replacement.

I drove 240s most of my adult life. Just got a 745, and I must say I'm rather disappointed. So I went and got another 245. The 745 mostly just sits now.

I agree completely with you. We have a fleet of 240s and one 740. I prefer the 240s in all regards (except for the lock-up tranny).
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I'm in total agreement. Despite a series of endless minor faults on my 245 the ultra reliable 745 16 valver I replaced it with was a rather uninspiring motor car. The 245 was brim full of character in comparison and when she was running well and the sun came out I could never resist a smile. I've gone into a total timewarp and have a 145 for fun (now tucked up for the winter) and a B*W for transport. Despite only having done about 200 miles in the 140 i'm in heaven again.
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Still no weapons of mass destruction, except those possessed by Uncle Sam.