I was looking through craigers and found a 87 240 auto for sale. $350, just had a ton of recent work down. All new exhaust from headers back, Rotors, pads, lines. Front control arms, and water pump and valve cover gasket, only needs rear left control arm. It only has 175k on it and seems to be in real good shape, the guy says its drives pretty well. How comparable is that to my 91 944t in ideas of ride? I know its slower, but im looking for something that can hold more junk and the 20k less miles is a plus too. Oh and i bough my 944 for 350, i think its a sign..

 

I don't think you can go wrong for $350. You could make that on parts in the car alone.

 

+1..No doubt. Good price these days. My only question would be...after doing all that work, why are they selling now? I'd be certain to give it a good look over and test drive. For sure you can easily get your money back and then some but it would be nice to actually get a daily driver out of the deal! Ride differences? Totally different. Less American. 240's really respond well to suspension mods...lowering springs, firmer shocks, hd sway bars. IMO, the fanciest 240 feels more Spartan than a standard trim 740. 9's are better appointed than 7's so keep that in mind. Still...240's (and 140's) are what got Volvo firmly entrenched in the US market. You haven't owned a Volvo until you've owned a 240. That's all just my opinion, though...

 

Im excited for it. Im gonna call the guy tonight. I had the same question in mind about all the work but now selling, unfortunately tho in Maine people dont want old volvos, we have a suprising amount of them laying around trying to be sold. I wish it was a 5 speed but ill take it. The miles are terrible either. Are the parts in general cheaper than my 944? or is it all relative to age and what not.

 

Meh...most parts are about the same. The longer you own a Volvo, the more sources you find and cheaper too. Frankly, I am increasingly liking the 240's more and more. I started w/ a 245, then a 740 and a 760, then a 144 and now another 242. I like the styling of the 240 because it's timeless...to me. The 7's and 9's look very 80's to me, the 850/S70's look 90's...but the 240's just.....are! A little dated...but sooo recognizable, easy to work on, easy to diagnose and bullet proof. Being a Maine car...LOOK UNDER THE CAR FOR RUST! It may be ready to break in half!

 

Once you own a 240, you will become the guy with The Volvo. Even people who don't care about cars will notice it and put the two of you together. Everyone always just randomly asks me "how's the Volvo?" Great stories for years to come will be in your future, that's for sure.

 

Yup...to everyone at Starbuck's I am simply The Volvo Guy...

 

Besides the fact of a manual tranny being more fun - to some than a auto, reliability wise? where do the two stand? I want an manual, but seems like they are harder to find in good shape.