What's a fair price (I'm the buyer here :>) and anything else I should look for?

I'm in California. The car was drive cross country from Massachussets. I saw the car, but didn't get the opportunity to test drive it.

white 240 DL wagon
181,783 miles
automatic with overdrive (overdrive doesn't work)
roof rack (cheap factory type)
leather interior, very very torn driver's seat
brake pedal has no signs of wear
no leaks apparent inside
power locks
passed smog 3 months ago
He originally asked $1700. No buyers for 3 months. Had mechanic's inspection by one buyer that revealed overdrive doesn't work; seller says car never had overdrive but I saw the little black button on the shifter knob that tells me an overdrive exists
selling because he doesn't need a car anymore (takes bus to work)

problems:
overdrive doesn't work
driver's door handle doesn't work from outside
AC doesn't work
wagon rear latch springs are broken
needs new struts in front
rust on the differential and front muffler
brakes 5% in front, 60% in rear
"valve cover leak"
needs "tune up"
dashboard lights don't work
gas cap cover missing (the square metal flap that covers the fuel cap)
driver's door trim is bent

So, what price should I offer? Anything else to be wary of?

I'd pass, too many late model 245s for just a bit more in a heck of a lot better shape. I'd say he's off by about $1000 on that one.
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California (San Diego area)
'84-245 200K+
'84-245T 190K+
'88-240 190K+
'01 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10K
www.volvo2.homestead.com (Opens new window)

I'm in California as well, and just a couple months ago bought an 81 245 for $1100. I'm the third owner, 160K, alloy wheels, have all receipts from when it was purchased new at Turner Volvo (was the local dealer). Asking price of the car you describe is absolutely too much.

Good luck.

Scott in Auburn, CA

These guys are all correct. Here in Maine, that heap might still fetch about $500 or so- But out in California, I'd expect a LOT more, especially for that price. And no test drive?! Forget it.

Matt

From Massachusetts? Rust, rust, rust in all the usual hidden places.

Of course it has OD.

It's almost a parts car.

Offer $200 and expect to invest $2000 into it, or more, to bring it up to spec, NOT including rust repair. Otherwise buy it for $200 and part it out.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I just sold and 89 wagon with no rust with 180,000 miles on it for $1500. Everything worked including ac. I would not buy the car you were looking for anything over $500. All the small things that do not work on this car could be costly to have repaired even if you do it yourself. It sounds like this car will just nickel and dime you.My advice would be to be patient and wait to find one that has been maintained they are out there. Good luck! mike w

hi there. sounds a little high. 2 months ago. i got a 87 245 wagon.paid 300.00$ for her.(makes her sound cheap). needs work, motor good. im up to 600.00$ and not done.still need exaust system, front rotors, struts and shocks. with the 300.00$ i put in that includes turbo sway bars and a set of virgo rims both from the junkyard.inner and outer tie rods.tune up. serious engine cleaning. fix tranny line leak,change all fluids, repack wheel bearings.and a lot of little interior parts for good looks.so with the shocks struts springs ill be around 1,000.00$ and i hope that will be good for a while. i paid 600.00$ for my 85 244. with 139,000. and im up to 2100.00$ and still needs rear springs. paid 1300.00 for my 86 244. and im up to 1900.00$ it had 103,000 miles and it is my best one. so plan on putting some money in just about any automobile thats 15 to 20 years old.

Hello. I would not buy the car it is overprised for the amount of work it needs and if I bought it I would only pay $200 dollars for it and use it as a parts car. I am in the UK and I saw a 1988 volvo 740 gle it had covered 130,000 miles and looked very nice with 8 months Mot which you have done every year in the uk. Had dog guard, towbar and the usual gle spec. It needed a new exhaust box and the price was £100 uk pounds. I would of bought it if I had the space for two cars and would of used it for spares.

A relative had a 1988/9 volvo 240 GLT estate and it was a one owner from new with volvo service history and looked really nice with good silver paintwork, no rust and alloy wheels. It only lasted 13 months after purchase and the engine blew up in France. It had covered 180,000 miles when it died. It cost £700 UK pounds.

I would look round for a nicer car in better condition. James.

Run, don't walk.

240's are rust-prone, and it's from where?

89's are problematic (I own one, or is it the other way around?).

Buy a local car, with a known history. Befriend a local Volvo shop and get them to help you find a decent one.

well here is my opinion.

1989 was what I think the worst year for the 240. I have seen too many bad problems come from the 1989 year on this board over the past year, things like car just wont start (new computer), or stranded....for example.

With the problems you discribed above, I wouldn't buy it unless I got if for a steal, like $200.

But really I would just save my $$$ and buy a better one. I got a 1988 244, very minimal rust, good interior and great engine shape black one owner in minneapolis for only $1200 over a year ago and it only had 153K when I got it.

Chuck

don't buy it.

the description says nothing of oil seal leaks and suspension issues. it doesn't sound like it was maintained and history is everything when you're dealing with cars of this vintage. unless you're inclined to do the work yourself, and depending on whether you like to have stuff like switches, windows, heater fans, hood release cables, defrost, seats, etc. work like they are supposed to, you're probably looking at between $1500-2000 to get it running right. plus, coming from massachusetts it'll have rust issues, most likely.

i'd run, but that's just my opinion.

i'f you were to make an offer, $500.