Many many years ago my parents had a 240 DL I believe it was, late 70's from what I remember. Nice car. Now, I am in need of a very reliable car for my courier business. I will be making anywhere from 20-50 stops a day. Very hard on ignition switches, lights, brakes etc...etc...etc...A wgn would be fine, a sedan is fine...just needs to be an automatic, preferably cruise as I put on about 200-250 miles a day, power windows and of course FWD. I have read quite a bunch on the web about reliability in a general sense for these cars but would like to hear from folks who actually own them. Also, need to keep the price under 3k...thus the reliability factor again as I don't want to be replacing brakes or axles or timing belts/chains anytime soon.

Any thoughts for me and or recommendations? I need to move on this as quick as possible as my DD just put on 3k miles in less than a month.

thanks!

 

Don't want to rain on your parade but I would not expect a $3000 Volvo to travel 36K a year w/o problems. Unfortunately, I can't think of a $3000 anything that will fit that bill. Heck, 3 thou will get you a 15 year old Volvo with over 200,000 miles. Now if it was well maintained it may have another 200,000 m iles in it- but it will need constant repair, lots minor, some major. A figure I've seen around here is 1-2 thousand a year. That's what mine runs so I would think it's accurate.

 

I have seen a lot of Honda's used as courier cars. If it were me, I would probably try a 940 or '90 - '93 240. They have 4 cylinders and can take a beating. Mid '90's 850's have a lot of little issues that would probably drive you nuts.

 

Ok, will look for a 940 or 240. To make things even more complicated I had forgotten that I guess I need a wagon as i have to have a rear window wiper for here in Seattle

 

Is that the Law for couirers?

 

Unless it's a law, I'd try Rain-X. It's great stuff fir keeping rain off glass.

 

It's not a law but for the most part i have had on my cars a rear window wiper since 1980