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Oh yes, a true believer indeed.
When I finally "had" to get rid of my 1976 in 1999 due to rust, I liked it more after 23 years than when I purchased it in 1976 , and I really liked it a lot then (also purchased new). I did not want to part with it in 1999, just had to. I still miss the sound of that growly b21 engine with the manual transmission. I think that if you got a manual transmission in 1976 you could not get power steering -- mine certainly didn't have it. In that car, parallel parking with the manual steering is something the driver had to sit up straight for, get the sleeves pulled back, and get mentally psyched up for, all with a view of reducing the risk of tearing a muscle you see. I don't parallel parking in that car could have been done after one had consumed a heavy, rich meal; I know I would never try it.
So, I've had two new ones. What's it like getting a new car, already aware you intend to keep it forever? About the only thing I can think of is it is more expensive! For that price "you" do know all miles put on the car were put on by "you", but these iron age beasts can take a lot of abuse from previous owners until a select few fall into the hands of we caring owners who frequent the brickboard.
You're right, the7/9 and even 8 series didn't sway me (though I did own a used 780 for about 8 or 9 years). For me, the 240 represents something approaching perfect design balance, having just the right compromise among various design issues, including handling (in town and on the highway), durability, safety, comfort, spaciousness and fuel economy. I'd much rather have a rear drive than a front drive, such as in the 8 series (even though snows are pretty much required in winter).
I find interesting also that Volvo did keep making some improvements in the 240 right up 'till the end, such as putting R134a refrigerant in the 93s. Not sure when they put the power side mirrors in, just know that they are not on the 1990 240 but are on the 1993 240. I hope Volvo wasn't using a bunch of leftover, slightly "off" parts in the last month of production!
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