I have owned a 940 for many years now and I am somewhat familiar with them. I am thinking about getting a 240 in the near future and know about the common issues with them and mechanically they are very similar to the 740's and 940's. I am aware of the biodegradable wiring found in the earlier ones 1981-1986/87. That is why I would be looking for one between 1988-1993. Of those years are there any years that are better than the others. Is there one year that tops all of the other years. Thanks.

 

At this point I doubt that after 30 years of use any 240 year production could be called a bad one. Much more important is how the car lived and who owned and loved it or hated it--POD (previous owner disease) is what I avoid, i.e, a car with bad after market mods and sloppy care which is usually pretty obvious. Of course rust is a given to stay away from. The latest year, 1993, would logically be the best but after all the years, bigger factors come into play.

 

I don't think there are any "best year" for the 240. However I do prefer the cars that have the LH2.4 fuel injection - which pretty much is 89-93. This is mainly because I only owned models with this version of the FI and I have spare parts laying around. I would avoid anything with the LH3.1 - mainly because the availability of parts.

'91 and later have the shift interlock (must press brake pedal to put into gear)
Anti-lock brakes started in '91 which has different rear-end and speedometer
Air bag for driver started in '90

 

Thanks guys. I also read that 1993 was the only year with an R134a A/C but I guess many of the other years have bee converted by now.

 

Well, yes, ALL cars sold in the US use R134 starting in 1993.

 

For what its worth, mid run 1993, they made some fairly significant electrical harness changes, these updated cars have a fuse holder at the battery with (I think) 4 big block fuses for main systems like EFI, ABS. Kind of a strange EC to make midway through the last-ever model year of a long running car.

 

I have had an 87 for many years. I now own an 86. My suggestion is look at the condition of the body and interior as a start. I had replaced in my 87 the harness, fan blower motor. I now need to do it in my 86. Ifbyou can do them yourself, well worth the investment.even at this age, they are worth restoring as long as they are sound and in condition as described by the other replies.

 

i'm partial to '91 and '92 vintages...

 

Silvermine, what do you prefer about the '91 and '92 over the other years.

 

78 GT's are pretty nice.

 

They sure are nice and different but unfortunately they are hard to find, especially in good shape since they are over 30 years old, and they cost more.

 

indeed, the really early 240's are very cool and retro. I love the old flathood single round light version, especially with the factory in-the-grill fogs.. but I'd skip most of the 80s entirely, they had crappy eco-junk wiring issues, and stuff. body-wise everything after about 1986 is pretty damn the same thing, engine-wise 1989+ has the better LH2.4, and those are more reliable after 90 or 91, which leaves you with 91-93-ish, as being the best candidates. and also the newest cars.

good luck finding the wetdream of a low mileage garage queen that was maintained by a trust fund as a family asset.

frankly, other than those early flatnose 240s, I like the 940 wagons much better.

 

I have actually seen a few of those for sale but their asking prices are out there.

 

but if you start thinking about the costs of what a restore-to-that-sort-of-condition for your basic $1000 car like our old 1987 ratvo' would be, those high prices aren't that insane. the catch-22 is, what you're left with is a volvo. its not a Porsche, or some rare french-italian 1920s roadster, or whatever, its a Volvo. Safe boring practical transportation with a northern European flare.

 

i have owned them!

i think they got the some bugs worked out of the earlier ones. i have found them reliable and they have really good factory undercoating.
my previous volvos were '68 and '69 sedan/wagon.. not really 240s and a loong time ago but i still remember the brake/carb problems etc with them although the cloth seats in the '69 wagon were divine!

 

I have a 85 Turbo w/ Kjet and a 90 DL. The quality difference of the two Engine wiring harnesses is unbelievable. If you are looking for a daily driver I suggest the later years.

The 1993 motor has oil squirting jets so motors are sought after. I think the 93 came with power and heated mirrors as standard plus what was noted above. I don't see too many 93's for sale so may be tough to find one. Another note is the 90 - 93 has the ability to provide fault codes. If you are a DIY'er then the later 240's have plenty of cars at the wrecking yards.

On looks - I prefer the old school four headlights. However, the headlights on the 90's cars can be easily cleaned up with the 3M lens cleaner products.

 

I like the 89-93 240s. .mainly because of the injection system, bigger connecting rods oil squirters in the 93s... But, I thing the best strongest engines were 83,84 b23s