I have an opportunity to buy a 1986 240 wagon with 85,000 miles on it. 5 speed, always garaged, 2 owners. Any hints, tips or suggestions for what I should be looking for when I test drive? Should I have a compression test done?

 

#1. Check the wire harness. The wire harness on the 86 240's is one of the worst...make sure it's not falling apart, has any cut wires or taped up with electrical tape.

#2. Test the heater blower motor and make sure it is not noisy...one of the most labor intensive jobs on a 240

#3 Check for rear main seal leak

#4 Check for rust especially the under carriage

#5 Check the clutch and make sure your overdrive is working properly (New clutches are EXPENSIVE)...I HIGHLY recommend an automatic much less maintenance



If you do not know cars bring it to a Volvo mechanic and have them do a full pre-buyers inspection. This will insure there is nothing MAJOR wrong with the car. But be prepared to have a minimum of $1000-$2000 worth of recommended repairs(It's a 25 yo car!) Doesn't mean it's a bad car. Good luck!

 

thank you for this informative list. I will bring it with me to my mechanic. Is there anything else you'd look at?

 

Sure if I am doing a full buyer's inspection for a client, I check just about every aspect of the vehicle. With that being said, a safety inspection is typically enough along with the other items I mentioned. The safety will cover brakes, suspension, mounts, fluids, leaks etc. Is he/she a Volvo mechanic? Familliar with 240's? If not, I HIGHLY recommend bringing it to someone that is. Also, do not be so concerned with how many owners, records or how many miles are on it. These are the 3 most common mistakes buyers make. The current condition of the vehicle is all that matters and what work needs to be done now. But once again I will warn you, I would highly recommend an automatic over a stick and I would find an 87 or 88 unless that wire harness has been replaced, looks perfect or you are willing to spend $1500 getting it replaced...Good luck!

 

I think that mostly depends on the driver. If you are good at stick, the manual will not ever give you a problem. My car has 225k on the original clutch. The most we've spent on it was a new overdrive relay. It's been driven by everyone in my family and me and my two brothers learned to drive in it. If you don't burn your clutch, it will last a long time. If you're not good at matching gears, then I would go for an auto.

 

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225k on original clutch? That's incredible! I'd have to see it to believe it...very uncommon usually 100-125k is pushing it....