I would try and find as new a 240 as possible, if you're really set on 240 vs 940. 1990-1993 ideally. these have the best fuel injection system, they don't have the wiring issues the 82-87 had

the 940's have the same engines, transmissions etc, with better ventilation and air conditioning, quieter chassis, improved suspension, and IMHO, more comfortable seats. they also have better speaker mounting positions, and bigger brakes.

 

I bought mine from U-Pull-and-Pick Junk yard in West Palm beach Florida, That was 3 years ago. The car was sitting in the used car sale sction, a 1993 240 wagon white in color. I wasn't really looking to buy a car, but the car was calling me, kinda like saying "the're gonna crush me" " buy me". So I did, total of $1,300.00, pick up the title a week later, then drove the car home, it had 90% good interior, rear seat apparently never used, rear floor compartment was never opened like new. Then I ran a carfax, I am the second owner! the PO had his maitenace done at Volvo, they had stickers all over the A/C eveaporator with service date, and original Manual with service book. Timing belt had been recently done by volvo at 74 k miles, the odometer was broken so I was trying to calculate the mileage and by the service book and miles peryear calculation I estimated it to have 90k miles. It was the find of the year for me, the car never gave me any major problems, just the usual serpentine belt broken, brake light stop working and that was it so far. I have the car lowered, with 17" wheels, and dark tint + redone sound system. It is my DD now as my BMW E30 is my wekend car (currently under construction ) DONT BE DESPERATE TO BUY A CAR, HAVE PATIENCE AND THE CAR WILL FIND YOU.

 

there's no serpentine belt on any 'red block' volvo motor (all 240/740/940). there's multiple V belts for alternator, a/c, water pump, etc, and there's the timing belt for the camshaft.

 

I'm not sure if you are still in the process of deciding, but I'll add to it. My folks bought my 240 new while my dad was stationed in Germany in 1991. Was supposed to do Sweden pickup, but not sure why we didn't. In 24 years it has been a solid car. I have had it for about 7 years and best can guess close to 200k on it. Yeah some quirks here and there, but overall quality car that will last forever. Just say the car was underwater from the hood down from a freak storm. It of course died right in the roadway. Had a wrecker enroute, but 15 minutes later cranked right up and had no problems since. That was about 4 years ago. Also very easy to work on. Love the car and I feel totally safe in it.

 

You're right, v-belts.

 

Words to live by. I am definitely going to buy one, when I find the right one. Right now, while my search continues, it looks like the search won't intensify to its full magnitude until the summer when the semester is over and I can dedicate more time to it.

I think the search will be narrowed to 1990-1993 240's, for the improved fuel injection, wiring and OBD system. I was considering a 940 for a while, but I like the look of the 240 too much.

Fun story: I was walking to my car the other day and walked by a burgundy 240 sedan with it's bumper being held on with bungee cords. The owner casually walked up and reached into the fallen open window on the driver's side rear door and unlocked it by hand. He proceeded to open the door and reach forward to open the driver's door from the inside. He executed this maneuver with lightning speed, which leads me to believe he's been doing it that way for a while now...

 

Are red blocks interference motors? If so, how disastrous a repair is it to replace the valves and whatnot?

 

I don't believe any of the 240s have an interference engine. The 16v red block engines are interference but I think those were only available in the 740 / 940.

 

*american* model 240's, with the B21F, B23F, B230F engines are non-interference, unless the head and/or block has been shaved too much. European B2xxE engines may be slight interference by virtue of being higher compression.

 

I'll wait to see you on a 240 wagon this summer, just because the wagons are so cool.

 

I'm rather with you on that one. I get complements about my 240 all the time. I mean, I always liked it, but total strangers tell me how much they love my car. Seldom got such comments when I drove the 740 around. The 200 have a laid back sort of class that doesn't try to be modern.

To be clear, I don't dislike the 700/900s. They have a roomier interior and are technologically newer. But I like old things. Shoot, if I had it my way, I would be driving around a Volvo Amazon...