I am looking at a 1990 volvo 240 (not sure if dl or gl) to replace my old '84.

The 1990 is in really good shape - the body and under the hood look spectacular. Took it out for a drive, and it sounds great (perhaps maybe needs a new muffler.) The air conditioning even works. But no visible body/engine issues.

It has 130k miles on it - the only issue I have found with it is that the odometer does not work - I got a report from carfax to verify that it actually is 130k, which it is, but what kind of work would be involved in fixing the odometer? Purely electrical and wiring?

It's priced at $2000, but I am thinking I could bargain down some.

Any thoughts?

 

$2k sounds a bit expensive for an old Volvo that needs some exhaust work. There are probably other things it needs as well.

Maybe its just that I am cheap but I generally wouldn't pay much more than $1000 for a 240 of that vintage. I currently have a '90 I got for $1k and a '91 I got for $475. Both hada slight amount of rust but ran well when I bought them. The '91 needed more work (lots but I had a donor car).

Check around on Craigslist. You should get an idea from there what old volvos are going for in your area. I live in the Chicago area so it may be different where you are.

Good luck...

 

So, WHEN did it have 130K? Obviously unless the odo just stopped working the Carfax shows that mileage like always, no? The odo is fixable, it is internal electric problem, a shop can do it for under a $100. As far as value, $2k should buy you a nice 240, and what that means is sorta personal... No accidents, no rust, good maintenance, no big repairs due soon (rear main, suspension, head gasket, etc.)

 

The odometer failure may be electrical but often it is a plastic drive gear that has bio-degraded. They can be purchased for $20. As for price, that is up to the buyer. Nice 240's have actually been going up in value. I bought my 89 in 2004 for $50...but it needed tires and a transmission service. Often they are given away as the owner doesn't have a clue as to how to service them. Currently, 240's are anywhere from 17 to 35 years old. As much as I love them, there is definitely an internal price point for me. I weigh price versus cost. I know the car is going to cost me money...how much is the issue. Although all my Volvos are definitely not stock, the first order of business for me is to get them to stage zero...mechanically as new. I do not buy cars with body damage. Everything else is negotiable depending on price. Still, 2 weeks after buying my $50 Volvo I drove it from Dallas to Minneapolis and back. They are wonderful cars but are now so old I wouldn't buy one if I could not do the service myself.

 

Great! Thanks for all the good advice.

I was thinking that 2k was probably a little high too - like you said, you can usually find an owner that will just give it away.

The draw to it is that, as I said before, there are really no issues other than the odometer, and it is in impeccable condition, as far as I can tell. But down the road, who knows?

Carfax showed that it was a little under 130k about a year ago. Realistically, someone could have put another 10,000 miles on or more, but it also notes that it was "for sale" at that point, so I am assuming it's been sitting in the lot since.

Thanks all again for you help!

 

Sitting on a lot??? They must have picked that up for $500. Don't let the cool ac fool you. It could have a leaking evaperator and was serviced before you test drove it. Mine leaks 12oz per month. I'm about to replace my evaporator, major on taking. See what their bottom dollar is. You may be able to get a decent turbo 850 for that price.