Heya guys

I am looking at getting a 1981 Volvo 240 Wagon.. It's a little rough looking, but the engine is great. No leaks, clean, drives really well. The guy who is selling it is a Volvo fanatic and restores them. He is asking $1,600 for this one, which seems steep to me, but I can't find anything on prices for it. It needs a new ignition switch and the temp/fuel gauge aren't working. He said if I wanted to fix those myself he would go down to $1,400 and seems pretty firm. So, I guess I need to know, is this a good price? It has 226k miles. I was thinking $800 or so for a car that old, and I'm just looking for an occasional driver. I mean, it seems like a really great car, but I'm not sure! Any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Kat

 

Not really. You said it looks rough, which is really important to me, so I would pass. With know problems, you're only bound to have more too. Even though the mileage is not a big concern, I would not pay that price from what you described and the mileage. I'm sure a better deal is in the future, just keep looking.

 

Thanks. I kind of figured. I offered him $700 and he got offended. He said he would sell it to someone for full asking price.. I said well, there's a sucker born every minute. He also had a 93 blue 240 wagon and he wanted 5k! He said that a dealer offered him $3,600 and then I realized this guy was just a nut.

 

I could see a 240 wagon in very cherry shape, both interior, exterior and mechanically, going for $5000 in a market like the SFBA.

 

Yeah, some crazy bids do go on eBay... And as always, the value is in the eye of the beholder so, 240's are worth pocket change to some (my friends namely) and a whole lot more to others. I also think that some of the people who value 240's really high actually do research on the car, know they are sturdy and reliable cars and that there is a decent crowd of people who cherish them, thus they jack up the price and don't truly love Volvo's and all the things about the one they are selling. Like I said, keep looking and you will come across a good one eventually I'm sure.