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I own a 1988 240 GL. That's the way it is badged. In the numbering system used up to 1983 the car would be a 244. 2 for 200 series. 4 for 4 cylinders (there have been 6's) and 4 for the number of doors. Thus a 245 would be a station wagon.
Brickboarders often use the 3-digit system regardless of the actual badging on the car because it is a well-known system. My car is a 240 4-door sedan, or a 244.
The 242, (200 series, 4 cylinder, 2 doors) was last built as a 1984 model year. The VIN last 6 digits for the 1984 year began with 237370. If the car you are looking at is indeed a 2-door, I don't see how it can be a 1988 model.
Many parts have a date indicator. A 1988 should have - on original parts - dates of either 1987 or 1988. A newer number indicates a replaced part.
Look at all the glass for a year. Look at the colored lenses on the tail lights for a circular mark. In the center of it is a 2-digit year number. the outer ring shows the month. Again, the year should be 87 or 88.
The VIN has information coded in it. There are no separations. though I wll show some to allow explanations. There are 17 digits total.
YV1AX88 YV1=Mfg code, A=240 series, X=3 point safety belts, 88=B230F engine
4 for 4 doors
X is a check digit
H is for actual year of manufacture, where H=1987, J=1988
1 = Mfg plant. 0=Kalmar/Sweden, 1=Torslanda/Sweden, 3=Volvo Europe, 4=Canada
The next 6 digits are the serial number chassis number.
1986 models start at:
4 doors: 145710
5 doors: 660780
1987 models start at:
4 doors: 215300
5 doors: 718700
1988 models start at :
4 doors: 278400
5 doors: 766600
So for yor Volvo to be a 1988 4-door sedan made in Sweded the VIN should be
YV1AX884XJ1278400 with few variations for your specific car.
How good is the 1988 car? I have found it to be very good. I bought mine with 95000 miles. The odometer quit at 110000 miles (CHECK the one you are looking at, this is a very common failure) and I estimate the car to have 160,000 miles now.
The PO had all the service work done at a dealer, and I got all the records. You can ask a dealer service department to input the VIN and see if any service records can be found.
In 1998 I paid $4300 for it. This month we took it on a 3600 mile vacation trip, and experienced NO problems of any consequence. Details are in a post from me in the OPINIONS forum.
A great many things on a Volvo 240 can be easily repaired by a do-it-yourselfer. Parts are widely available, as are shop and service manuals and advice.
The major failing that should be a NO for you is rust. While it can be repaired, it is a major job. There are a number of places to check. For rust checks, post back if the car meets your other requirements.
Good Luck,
Bob
:>)
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