So it's now 2011 and I still find myself infatuated with the 200 series Volvo. They're practical, stylish, efficient, reliable, durable, dependable, safe and easy to work on. When I am driving, I always keep a lookout for a 240 on the road..I guess you could say it's kind of my thing..Perhaps it's because of all of the good memories I've had driving one.

So I've had eight 240s in eight years and I've loved every single one I've had. When my fiancee and I moved out here to Las Vegas, I was supposed to take her '91 244 and we were going to get another car for her. However due primarily to the fact these people out here don't take care of their cars and because I couldn't find another 240, we ended up purchasing a 1976 Plymouth Valiant with a Slant Six and she kept the 240. Man I loved driving that Valiant at first. I thought it was awesome I was driving an antique! However I was apprehensive about driving a car with a carburetor, but I was up to the challenge...After all I've been working on cars for the past 13 years I was planning on keeping this car for decades to come.

Fast forward to February - I now have a herniated disk and my severe fibromyalgia isn't getting any better. I've needed to replace the master cylinder, front brake pads, rotors and rear drum brakes for months now. Since I'm getting married in a few weeks, I can't afford to pay someone to fix it for me. (Plus car shops out here charge ridiculous amounts of money to fix things.) And I am too weak now to do this stuff myself...Oh of course the car gets about 10MPG because the NEW carburetor STILL needs work because I need to tweak "This and that".

I had an epiphany a few days ago while working - "Get rid of this damned car and get another 240. Save your money, continue driving this car because it's always going to run and drive, buy a 240 and then sell this Valiant." Yes the allure of having an antique car is appealing, until reality hits. I'm 26, and no I'm not a normal 26 year old. I have serious medical conditions that prohibit me from fixing THIS and fixing THAT every other day, and I'm glad. I don't want to have to get under the hood of my car every week to tweak the carburetor or this or that. I know 240s like the back of my hand, I love how they drive, I love..well...everything about them. When I'm driving my fiancee's 240, I don't have to worry about a vehicle that stops, handles and accelerates like a damned oil tanker. I know that even in my current physical condition, I can do a complete brake job on a 240 in less than 30 minutes because everything is THERE and it MAKES SENSE. I despise drum brakes and I vowed to NEVER own a car with drum brakes, yet I suckered myself into owning this Plymouth. Yeah maybe for the average person, replacing drum brakes is easy. But when your hands are as weak as mine, NO...Not happening. Not to mention I TRUST driving a 240 cross country...Think about it : Would you trust driving a 1976 Volvo 240 or a 1976 Plymouth Valiant cross country? I'd take the Volvo.



My ex introduced me to these cars in 2003 and to be honest, it was the only good thing that ever came of that relationship. These cars make sense. The only PITA part to replace on a 240 is the blower motor. They run, they stop, they drive, they save your life, they get you to point A to point B.

So I will be saving $400 a month until I have about $2000 saved up to buy another 240 that has a PERSONALITY and will be dumping this bore of a car. I hope to have one by August. God it can't come soon enough!!!

I'm SO looking forward to coming back!
-Eric

P.S. - I'm looking for a 1976-1985 240. So if you or anyone you know in the Las Vegas area has one (Even in Los Angeles.) , PLEASE let me know!