I have a 1982 244 DL and my wife pretty much thinks I'm having an affair with it.

It seems like everyday there is something to tweak/fix/mess around with on my car and I have to say that no matter what the issue is (car simply not starting, overdrive not working, taillights acting up, door handles breaking, etc etc etc.) I feel a great sense of satisfaction everytime I complete one of these little projects.

In other words, there is a reason why the people who own these vehicles seem to know so much about them, so cheers to fellow 240 owners and here's to the next little inconvenience!

 

haha well said, im very new to the car and volvos in general i was mostly a VW fan but thought id buy a 86' 244 DL and for some reason i just love tweaking little thing son it hha not to sound weird....by far my favorite car to look at and work on! you are not alone hahah

 

I don't know about an obsession, but after 20+ years, one has three options. Fix it yourself, pay way too much to have a shop do it or scrap it.

 

I agree with swiftjustice. I'm on my 5th 240 now and from about 130k miles to 200k miles on my current one I did very little and it really didn't need much. At 200k miles I replaced all the rubber bits in the suspension as well as dampers, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc...and through all this I really feel a new bond with the car. I like working on it more and want to keep it in nice condition. My wife's car is a Volvo S60 and I really can't stand it. Not made to the same level of durability and is much more expensive to maintain. Makes me appreciate the 240 all the more and want to keep it going as long as possible.

Steve
88' 240DL

 

People like working on them because they are relatively easy, they are designed to come apart AND go back together unlike many other cars which just seem to blow apart, the quality is pretty decent, and there is a good supply of parts available... And Volvo owners are on the frugal side which is an additional big factor. Then there is a certain "personality" which is hard to define but Europeans cars seem to have it while the Japanese for one, don't... I think Toyota makes a fine car but it has no personality... it is hard to love, unlike a Volvo.

 

Volvo kept the RWD longer because it's a better design for your shade tree mechanic. It's not as tight. My parents have a manual Honda Element. It's reliable, but it's like driving a lawnmower. I agree with Lev.

I admit to having some sort of love obsession with my Volvo.