I am looking at buying a 1987 volvo 240 dl. it has 200,000 miles on it and the dealer is asking $1100 for it. now typically I would say absolutely not but everywhere I read volvo's last so much longer than 200,000 miles so I guess I just need some advice on whether this is worth the asking price? it is a manual transmission. the interior and exterior are in great condition and all doors including hatch back work fine. I am taking it for a test drive tomorrow. now if it seems to run good and strong should I buy? is it true volvo's last even in the high miles? I am looking for something that will allow me to travel about 400 miles a couple times during the semesters. I am just a college kid and I only have about $1100 to spend on a car so I thought a volvo might be the best bang for the buck since they have such a great reputation. ok anything would be great. thanks so much!

 

$1100 sounds o.k. for that car. Volvos do last very long so if shes in good shape you should be good for a while. Make sure that you don't have any oil leaks as they indicate poor maintence of the pcv system. Keep in mind that the car is 20 years old, chances are that it will need something when you buy it so anything you can take off the price is a plus. Good luck.

 

I agree with the previous post. I would rather see it go for 900 but it is true about the long life of Volvo's. I have a 90 dl wagon that I got for 1000, knowing that it needed a muffler. So far I have spent some money on it but less than 100 a month, including toys for it. I figure that if I had to buy even a used car my monthly payments would be more. I am very pleased with my car. If you have a mechanic(al) friend who can look it over for you, it would help, unless you are mechanical yourself. One of the main reasons I bought my car was that I am only the third owner and the previous two were compulsive people who did excellent maintenance and she had all her papers to prove it. Good luck.

 

Seeing as how it's a manual I would jump on it. I own a manual 91 240 and love it. Be sure the clutch isn't on its way out because that was a $750 job. I had new (not rebuilt) clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, flywheel turned, new rear main seal, and shifter bushings installed for that price. Not a bad deal in my opinion but just keep that in mind. Cheaper then having an automatic rebuilt so you're better off with a manual anyhow....

 

It's the best deal in the car world for a $1.100! Especially with a manual trans, a little TLC, and a common sense mechanic this thing can go a helluva long way past 200K! Just make sure the car has not been neglected with a lot of deffered maintenance.