What you test drove was an average example of a 91 240. Good miles, but has been owned by someone who either can't afford to keep it up, or refuses to keep it up.

Ticking valves, pulls to one side, probably neither is a big deal.

In the case of premium used cars (Volvo would be one) a well maintained example will pull a good dollar. Of course, if you want that car, you will have to pay for it. No surprises here. But the one you reported on didn't sound like much to talk about, especially a non-ABS car.

Although a lot of the problems might have been minor or rather inexpensive, you could've ended up with another two grand in the thing in short order. If you had a good idea that it needed only a front end alignment or new tires, or that the A/C had a simple problem (are they ever?) then you might have been in a good position to pay a little more knowing you didn't have much to work on. However, what if you were into it for another two grand before you got done? Then $5200? And for $5200, you'd be sitting in a similar car with everything working, and perhaps even a year newer.

This is the tough question about setting up used cars for sale. The owner might have put $500 or $600 into it, and gotten the first $4500 that came down the road. And then he'd be to the good because a) he'd be $800 ahead of where you guys dropped off, and b) the thing would be out of his driveway and he'd be holding the cash.

The dealer I was working for, sold a 93 240. I remember it well. X-alloys, good tires, working A/C, heated seats, power mirrors, and all the other 93 stuff. 5-speed. 150k, one owner. Cloth interior. One little dent in the trunk. New balljoints and tie rod ends, fresh alignment by us. Also oil change.

They put it on blow out special for $3995. It lasted ONE day. And rightfully so. It was a $5500 car all day long.

You CAN run across the great deals from time to time. Sometimes dealers have some nice stuff for good prices. Keep looking and you'll find the one that you want. In fact, you could even commission a dealer to pick one up for you, with certain options, less than x miles, etc. Unless they're a friend, they'll want a deposit which is reasonable. A lot of dealers have good wholesale connections and can pull cars out of MANY regional auctions. It reduces some of the time and effort spent looking for a specific car. But that method is not for nitpickers, as you can't actually CREATE a car, you have only the pool of existing ones to pick from. You know what I'm getting at.

Good luck.
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1992 940 wagon, low miles
as well as others.