Hi there! I'm new to this forum. I'm looking for a little advice. I'm thinking of purchasing an 86 240 dl standard. It only has 78000 miles and the odometer works. It was never driven in the winter, and was Rusty Jones'd in 1986. It is a blue sedan in perfect condition. It is part of an estate where the original owner died in February at the age of 90. He was a very meticulous person. It was his baby! Anyway, the kids are firm on $5000.00. Am I crazy to purchase this vehicle or is it a good buy??

Thanks,

Dan

 

With that little bit of use it's gonna need some work probably. Any service records?

If not... all the fluids need changed...brake...power steering...coolant...motor oil.

Timing belt should be replaced.

Those years of the volvos are known to have problems with deteriorating engine wire harness. Has it been replaced?

Can you diy the work? If so it might be a good deal but they'd have to budge a little on price.

If you can't diy the work... well your crazy.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I can do most work myself. I have all service records and they are complete. All wiring is sound.

 

what part of the country did it live in? was it garaged?
for that kind of money everything would have to work, that means everything a/c,blower fan and on and on. as someone else said all the fluids would have to be changed. all the rubber bits would need changing , timing belt water pump, drive belts,maybe tires too. the wiring is a risk down the road no matter what condition it is in now. a manual trans may be an attraction for some, but a deal breaker for others. some people don't drive stick...so it cuts out some potential buyers.
bottom line if i were to go after this one, i would try to beat them down $1k in order to cover all the maintenance needed.

 

Hi, Rochester ny is the region. Everything works. It was garaged everyday of its life. It was never driven in the winter and was covered and garaged in the winter. It has low miles but was driven every year. I know the water pump has a already been replaced. All manufacturer maintenance was completed. I've already told the son that I would pay the 5000 because he would not come down because his father in law was a maintenance nut to the nth degree. I do believe him because his father in law was a customer or ours (home remodeling business) and he was a stickler. Listening to you guys though is giving me buyers remorse. I have to go with my gut, that this is a good purchase.

 

If you can diy you'll be fine. If you can't' you've got a fairly simple car to learn on ( for the most part).

Basic hand tools will handle most everything. Lots of info on the web for repair/maintenance needs.

When that guy next to you at the red light waves at you to roll down your window... and yells at ya "nice Volvo" .... you'll feel better.

And trust me... it'll happen... likely more than once.

 

well good luck with it! it does help a lot that being in rochester it was not taken out on salty roads during the winter. hope the man kept some records for you to refer to. if the water pump was done then likely the timing belt was also... so you won't have to worry about that for a while. low mileage 240's are getting very hard to find and you can see what they can cost at auction on bringatrailer.com. the wagons are getting some hefty prices these days if they are nice!

 

Thanks guys for the feedback! I really do appreciate it. I just sold (2 days ago) my 1993 Ford f150 that I bought for 1400 and sold for 3000. I drove it for 2 years and replaced many parts that increased the value. It sold in one day. So even though I'm paying 5000 for the 240, it's really like I'm only paying 2000. At least that's what I keep telling myself, lol! I look forward to owning this car for all that it is. As far as rolling the window down to hear, "nice Volvo", I hope they are on the drivers side, because its hard to reach to the passenger side to roll down the non-powered window!! If you like, I will post more pics and info when it is in my possession. I'm picking it up Tuesday afternoon. Enjoy your labor day!

 

first trip to dinner and lost a hub cap. Can't find it. Will wheel covers from 89 fit if 14" rim?

 

Yes - the rims for the '89 are the same size so it should fit.