I realise the difference between the 240, 245 and 242 but What is the difference between a 240 and a 244?
I am interested in these models as I am interested in buying one for my first car.

thankyou..

 

The 240 is the serise number. 240 includes all the 242, 244, 245...
244 is just what they call the 4 door model with 4 cylinder motor. 242 is the 2 door model, and 245 is the wagon.
There is a few special verison out there as well as the 260series.

 

well put

 

Ah OK thank you guys so much.. I now understand. I love volvos and am going to buy a 240 or 244 sedan for my first car. very excited.

 

Here's a link that explains the chronology. For a while, they completely dropped the 240 designation altogether...then broght it back as 240 for everything.
http://www.swedishbricks.net/ModelFAQ/140240model.html

 

Yeah, the last number is just how many doors.
wagon = 5
sedan = 4
etc