hi, i've been searching for 3 months and finally found two clean 240s and am trying to decide between them. one is an 1987 240dL sedan (170k/rust-free/owned by a mechanic), the second is a canadien 1980 242dL with 50k(sic) and very little rust. (both are manual). the situation with 87 is pretty straight-forward, i could pick it up next weekend cash in hand. the situation with the 242, the one i'm really infatuated with, is a little different (friend of a friend of a friend). the guy seems solid and knows a reasonable amount about the car. i'm just not sure what a fair price is. he told me to make an offer. i'm a little wary of internet appraisals and my budget is around $4000. any advice would be very much appreciated. also, can anyone confirm that the B21A engine in the 242 is non-interference? i'm pretty sure it is. thanks.

 

242 all the way! $4000 for an almost brand new car, BUT how much is a little rust?

Anyway....the 87 would probably sell for $2000, and the 242, depending on the rust, maybe $4000.

I believe it is non-interference

 

I like the '87 for the LH-Jetronic and no rust.

Post back with a pic.

 

I'm sure your guy is solid, but the friend of a friend sale is always tricky. Just because they have some kind of personal relationship with the seller, buyers tend to get lulled into not doing due diligence, (ie car fax, run the vin with the dealer and have a mechanical inspection) especially when viewed through the lens of infatuation.
Sometimes the seller is just unaware of the car's history and sometimes people lose all ethics when selling a car.

As far as price, I've found the higher price for top condition, low mileage cars can actually be cheaper in the long run..

My only concern is when did Volvo stop using the biodegradeable wiring.

 

thanks everyone,
i appreciate all the feedback. i will drilling both sellers thoroughly before considering buying either car: repair records, carfax, vin & dealership verifications. i sober up pretty good, infatuation-wise, if a sale seems sketchy. this is the first of i've heard of volvo biogegrabeable wiring. i assume this is in regards to the '80 242?