I am considering buying an '86 240 with tons of miles (probably around 240k miles) for $1500 (USD). It has been well-maintained and the owner has the service records for the past 10 yrs. A friend of mine is also selling his '99 v70 for $3500 (USD). It has 150k miles and has also been well-maintained. Which is the better buy? All I care about is reliability and cost (including cost of maintenance and repair).

 

Well, My family owns many volvos since we own a cab company with over 100 cars and we mainly have volvos. My uncle and my dad have told me several times that the 240, the 740 and the 940 are probably the best volvo models ever made. They are the most reliable, safest, and the easiest to do work on (of the ones they have owned). I have heard that the newer volvos are not as reliable as the older ones, although they are really good cars since they are Volvo but the older ones seem to be incredibly more reliable. Don't think that I'm talking bad about the newer models (v-series, s-series, etc.), they are also very reliable cars but again from what I have heard the older volvos are almost bulletproof.
Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

There is no cheaper and more relaiable car than the 240 and 740 and 940,its true.Buy the 240

 

The 240's are great, simple, reliable and easy to work on cars, but they have a few minuses when compared to the newer Volvos. Their A/C systems are rather weak, and their interiors lack refinement and creature comforts.

 

If you plan on doing maintenance yourself = 240

Look for rust.

 

Here's a pic of a V70, 83 240, 90 740 and way in the back...an 81 240.

All are just about to run on Texas Motor Speedway. All 4 cars made 4 laps in excess of 100 mph while the V70 and 740 ran considerably faster on the final lap. My point is, both were wonderful cars when new but time can exact a heavy toll. 13 years or 26 years? It's all about the maintenance. I agree...if you plan on doing the majority of the work yourself, the 240 is a dream. The V70 is considerably more difficult to work on. Either car will demand repair in the first year, count on it. I have to side with the 240...if for no other reason than I don't care for wrong wheel drive.

 

lol, WWD. End of story for me. 240!!!!!!

 

While I totally agree with all of the above, I did notice that this post originated in 2008.
I'm guessing that RP made his/her decision (hopefully the right one) years ago...

 

I never realize that the thread was from 2008 until you mentioned it.

 

Yeah, that's what the weird forum order will do for ya!