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So I went to look at a "new" 240 today. Normally, I don't expect much here in upstate New York, but the craigslist add looked promising. The photos showed a black sedan, decent looking exterior, 160k, and 5 speed- add said very good condtion. Asking price was $1700. I figured it was worth the 1/2 hour drive to take a look.
The good: the body on the car was decent- no major issues, only missing one piece of trim. Not a show car, but solid with minimal rust. The cloth interior looked decent. The car started ok, and the engine ran fine although it was in need of a tune up. Quick check with a voltmeter showed the charging system was working ok. Good glass, good lights (no cracked lenses, etc.)
The bad: I could let the clutch out almost all the way before it would engage- severely in need of adjustment or more likely close to totally gone. SRS light was on. Power steering did not work. One power window motor was broken. Radio showed EEE, owner did not know the code. Rear brakes were shot, system needed to be bled. The belly pan on the car was missing, and the engine bay was a horrific, road sprayed and rusted mess. It needed suspension work, front and rear (shocks/struts, bushings, strut mounts, probably tie rods and ball joints). The car had been taken off the road for over a year and judging by the condensation in the oil, was in desperate need of an oil change. Front tires were totally shot. The exhaust was shot. The car wandered all over the road, horendous clunking/squeaking front and rear- I didn't even bother taking it above 45 mph. Whining center support bearing. Brake light out. Missing door pockets.
I got back in my rusted, but mechanically excellent at 322,000 miles, '92 wagon, and drove home. It felt like a new car.
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'92 240 wagon, 306k, '90 240 sedan 243k
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