One of my first exposures to automobile mechanics was through the Hoover tractor (a Model T to tractor conversion) my dad ran in the fields behind our house in North Carolina. He bought it so my brother could drive a car at the age of 12. In Sweden there is still a tradition of young people owning cars and trucks converted to EPA tractors which they can drive at 16 (because they are considered farm vehicles).

My childhood experience is what gave me the idea of using a 240 as a farm vehicle. Most farmers have pickups and unless you can afford a Toyota you have to settle for something like a gas guzzling f150. The smaller American made trucks are junk. The bigger ones are better but not so nice to drive.

I vastly prefer my reliable comfortable sturdy 240. Goats in the back aren't an issue with my home made pet barrier, a Duluth rear seat cover, and over that a plastic tub style children's sled. For hay and heavy loads my 4x7 utility trailer is mostly fine. Roof racks are great for lumber.

My neighborhood folks need to get educated about the true meaning of the "sustainability" that they are fond of discussing when not driving their SUVs.

 

So you lost a $1,000? Hopefully the experience you gained will pay off in some way... That seller made off like a bandit...

 

I'm thinking of writing a detailed review of my experience with AA Volvo. Would you?

 

I am glad you brought up farm vehicles because that what these 240's always remind me of, something agricultural.

Nothing wrong with an old car and you should have simply told your neighbors where to go when they complained about your car.

Now that said there is nothing wrong with buying a used 240 if you go in eyes wide open. I admit when I bought mine I bought it with a quick look and a even quicker test drive. the engine ran and the car moved in gear and it stopped(always a plus) and that was that. $1000 later it was mine BUT I had automotive training and work on my own cars and this car was a winter beater/Home Depot type car. It was not my regular car(I also own a 2012 Scion XB) and with me being handy with tools, any repairs needed are cheap and done by me. So I was not as concerned if it was not 100% road worthy yet because when I factored in everything(including the scrap value for the old winter beater, the car cost me $600. I have $200 put in so far since November(iPod ready radio, plugs,wires etc)

So just be careful next time.

Oh and for your farm work, a 240 wagon would be good. The goats would love the room.

Here the cargo hold on my 1990 240



Here is what my car looks like



It's oldness pisses one of the neighbors off royally but there is nothing she can do as the State of MD regulates road worthiness of cars and truck and not the home owners association OR neighbors and it passed all MD's tests(including a smog test last month)

Good luck

 

My neighbors hate me too but screw em. I like my paid off cars vs. their $400 SUV payments or stupid leases.

I did get "classic" plates for my 240 so it looks classy lol. But I have an '85 Benz diesel in the side yard, a '06 minivan that doesn't have a straight piece of body on it (wife loves to run into stuff and claim it wasn't her). My '01 Accord with 248K on it, that my wife ran into a guard rail a couple months ago (thanks dear). And '84 F150 that is 3 different colors because the guy that I bought it off of for $600 wanted to hand paint it and quit after he painted the hood white, the front fenders black and kept the doors and bed the original blue, but it's got a new clutch, and doesn't leak oil.

I am a bit wary or private sellers but I also got my Volvo at auction for $800 so I definitely was going in blind, but it had a free Haynes book on the back seat!!! lol