Hello fellow enthusiasts, I've been searching for a late year Volvo 245 for about 4 years now, as I've always liked the lines of the wagons, and fell in love with my brother's as a young child. I want a car I can put a lot of miles on (~12-14k annually) and feel fairly comfortable doing most small/regular maintenance projects myself. I'm familiar with rusty old European cars (specifically an 87 mk2 Jetta) as well as high mileage European cars (a 231k mi v6 4motion Passat wagon). It should be noted that both cars were purchased new by my parents and meticulously maintained, making my experience easier than some. I'm currently torn between two options for a 245.

One is a 92 aw70 car from my home in the northeast with 140k miles, and has some rocker panel rust as well as a sizable rust spot under the rearmost window (by the cargo area). I find the rust scary but the low mileage in combination with one of the cleanest interiors I've seen is fairly appealing. The other plus is that the car is only a few miles from my home. The seller is asking 6k, I'd be prepared to offer 3-4.

The other is a 93 m47 car with just shy of 320k miles from California. It's the color combo I want most (blue on blue) and the stick is a HUGE plus. The car is rust free and has only spent a few years in the northeast. It has some quirks, like a shake over 60 mph (wheel balance? bushings?) and the high mileage is frankly pretty scary. The seller is asking a hair under 5k, I think I'd be willing to offer around 3-4k for this car as well.

My goal is to have a car I can A) trust to make the 2000 mile round trip between Maine and Indiana twice annually until I finish school and return to New England full-time. B) do a lot of commuting during the summer for work, and be used for adventures (camping trips, hikes, carrying kayaks etc.) on weekends, both at home and around the midwest. And C) take me on a 7k mile ski trip this winter with a close friend. I'd appreciate any advice, including suggestions for other vehicles to look for. I care some about fuel economy and reliability, as well as price of parts, and I only really have interest in European cars (especially but not limited to classics). Wagons are strongly preferred and I'd like to spend as little as possible, preferably under 6-7k. This car ultimately will serve keep miles off of my beloved Golf Alltrack for the next few years while I have a need to do more driving (don't worry, whatever it is, it'll be fluid filmed, washed regularly, and maintained thoroughly). I appreciate your time

 

Both of the cars you are looking at are overpriced. I am on the west coast so rust is a no-go for me, and there are a lot more to choose from out here. High miles are high miles, I don't care if it's a 240 and "goes forever", few takers for a 300k+ miles!

Hard to judge sight unseen but both of these cars are worth a grand, tops, and even then. I'd keep looking, there are better choices out there. $3-4k should buy you a decent, rust free 240 with a couple of hundred thousand miles, keep in mind that most 240 have had a bad odometer at one time or another...

 

to compare

https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/ct...381277709.html


https://maine.craigslist.org/cto/d/c...369855225.html

 

wow that white one went quick and appears the one in maine did as well. can't wait on the good ones....