I have had two previous 240's. A great '85 244 GLT, ran like a dream. Wife totaled it. Next was '89 244 GL, a super dream of a car. Wife totaled it. Now she is in a '96 960 super nice car. Only praying she will not total it also. I am tired of knowing my insurance agent so intimately. The Volvo mechanic I bought the 950 from warned me against buying a '90-'92 240 because of problems. But he did not say what problems. I have been looking for another really nice 240 and would like the later years if possible. But do not want to buy someone else's headache as I have enough of my own keeping my wife in cars...What about he Volvo 4cyl with 16 valves?
Any and all comments are welcomed and appreciated...
Thanks, Walt

If you want a really nice 240, I am divesting myself of two...a 93 Classic 244 5 speed (90K) and a 93 Classic 245 automatic (79K).

What are you asking? Thanks Dan
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85 245 M46 190K, 92 245 A70 117K

$7500 for either one, and I will drive the car to your house. Such a deal.

I've got a '90 245 5 speed with 284,xxx miles. When I bought it 4 1/2 years ago with 199,xxx miles, I took it to my mechanic who specializes in imports to get his opinion. His comment was, "If you don't buy it, I'm gonna buy it!"

The only things I've had to do on has been 2 timing belts, a brake job on the front and replaced to original clutch at 281,xxx miles. Other improvements were a new stereo, tinted windows, new shocks and rebuilt drivers seat.

Over all, the cost of ownership has been very minimal and I love the cheap insurnance on the 245.

Ed
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'90 245DL, 5 speed, 284,xxx miles

The manual 5 speed tranny's had more problems than the earlier 4sp+OD, but I think that change took place around 87 or 88.
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744-16v,745-16v,242Turbo.245DLT

I'd grab it. At least you won't battle rust, the wiring harness, and the ac system from hell. Good luck.
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1985 244GL - St. Joseph, Missouri

Actually, the 90 models still had the old style a/c system.
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.

no reason i can think of. i started with 240s in the dealer in 75. go for it. good luck, chuck.

The problems with the 90-92 240's are such that your mechanic would not make as much money from you. Seriously, the 91-93 are the best of the breed. ABS was optional in '91 and standard after; 91-93 all have driver's air bag, and improved A/C system. I have a '91 with 110k and a '92 with 170K and they are well-behaved cars.

The 16-valve engine was allegedly a bit more of a headache, and the production run wasn't long enough (2-3 years) so parts are a little scarce. One guy I knew took care of his (from new) and never had a problem, but I personally would shy away from a 16-valve. It's an interference engine, so if you lose a timing belt things can get expen$ive fa$t.

To be honest, there is something to be said for the lack of ABS and
air bags in earlier models - less to go wrong. But, then again,
the 90-93s came with other goodies like an A/C system that actually
works, built-in diagnostics in the ECU, much better windshield and
rear glass mounting, etc.. At least in the US, the only cars that
came with the 16-valve engine were some 1990s 7-series and 9-series
cars. No 240s had it instaled as original equipment. Some of the
92-93 automatic 240s had the AW71L transmission with a locking torque
converter which gave slightly improved freeway mileage. I'd say that
the 90-93 models were actually some of the best 240s produced, if
you don't mind a slight bit more complexity than the earlier cars.
.
-b.

There is no good reason to avoid a 90-92 240 or a 93. Aside from the bad 561 ECU, they're as reliable as about any 240, they don't have the wiring problems of some of the earlier cars, and the 92-93 models have the benefit of ABS. 93s came with R134 air conditioning as well.
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.

I would say he is uninformed on the subject of Volvo 240's. Of all the 240's from 88-93 the only one that has some issues is the 89 if it is equipped with the 561 ECU. No particular reason to avoid the 90-92's.

Randy

There are plenty of 90-91 240s (at least) that came with the bad (pink sticker) 561 ECUs. My 91 came with one.

I'm not saying that it's a good reason to stay away from them at all, just an observation based on my experience.
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.

Maybe he is looking for one and doesn't want you to steal it away from him? The most refined 240s are the 92 and 93 years. I have a 92 and it is just fine. Dan
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85 245 M46 190K, 92 245 A70 117K