I have the opportunity to buy either a 1987 240 DL or a 1990 740 GLE. I haven't seen either, just going on sellers' descriptions.

The 240:
Automatic. Only 50000 miles, no rust, no service issues, AC works. $5800.

The 740: $1500. Wagon. Standard. 356k km, engine was replaced by a B230F that now has 256k km on it. Very little rust. Headliner collapsed and was removed, I'm being quoted $400 to replace it by the seller's garage. ABS out, pump works but likely needs new hub "rings". Steering is tight. Serviced regularly, receipts for past 10 years. All electrics work, newer brakes and a new T-belt in 2012. AC doesn't work but it is just a leak; the garage puts in new coolant every spring and it works again.

Also included:
M46 that shifts well with newer clutch
iPd bars
iPd/Cherry Turbo strut brace
VOLVO steel dog guard and liner
Hydras with v. good Yokos (205/55-16)
Steelies with Yokos i20 snows with VOLVO wheel disks (185/65-15)
(4) VOLVO mudguards
DIN radio adaptor and Alpine tuner/CD/iPod player

What do you think?

240- I like the styling; interior is clean; nothing wrong, apparently; really low mileage. I don't know if I have to change the wiring harness soon due to biodegradeable French sheathing.

What I don't like: too good to be true? Also, that it is an automatic, I prefer manual. What do you think of the price?

740- I like that it's a wagon, that the owner has apparently been meticulous in keeping it in good condition, it's standard tranny, probably will not rust as much as the 240 in the long run, cheaper. Also like that the newer engine was already swapped in.

I don't like the AC issue nor the headliner issue: I have a feeling it will cost more-- the garage outsources to someone who does interiors and I understand the 740 needs non-standard 1/8 inch foam, not 1/4 inch. And obviously, there's more mileage on it.

Thanks!

 

240...SKEPTICAL UNLESS PAPERS CAN BE FURNISHED DOCUMENTING OWNER...AND ALL THE OTHER PAPERS THAT CAN HELP YOU DETERMINE IF IT IS WHAT IT IS....TRY A 6.99 VIN CHECK...IT'S ONLY 6.99 AND BEFORE YOU BUY THE REPORT IT TELLS YOU IF THERE IS HISTORY OR HAS BEEN ABSENT. VINCHECK.COM OR NET OR ORG...SOMETHING. without pictures it is hard to make a decision
IF IT DOES CHECK OUT TO 85% TRUE....OFFER $4700

740
you know what to expect with this one.
liner and about 1000 bucks on replacing parts yourself to bring it to a very reliable state.
time working on it BUT IT IS A WAGON....MY PREFERENCE. IF YOU BUY THE WAGON...DO WORK ELSE WHERE....!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE SELLING YOU A COW TO MILK...KEEP TELLING THEM YOU WILL DO THE WORK OR YOU GOT SOMEONE ELSE.....

 

volvo 240 DL

 

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The 240 does look in decent shape but $5000+ is way too much for a 26 year old car. Mileage is not too much of a concern on these engines as they last a long time. The price of the 740 is more in line with what these cars are selling for where I live (chicago area).

As analogies stated, do a VIN check.

 

well I just sold my 240 to get a 740 wagon and I don't regret it one bit. I prefer the ride for freeway cruising and you cant beat the wagon in practicality, I can get 4 regular sized humans comfortably as well as two greyhounds in the back! also the sunroof is massive!

 

I'm strongly considering the 740 at this point due to the above reasons as well-- it sounds like the owner did a good job in disclosing all the details and, at $1500 plus a bit of work, should be worth the 150k km (at least) that it should be able to still put on...

The AC is not working, but they just recharged it every year. With the sun roof, I can buy some diverters that push the airflow down... I don't even think I'm going to try to repair the AC if I go for it.

The 240 sounds great, but I'm thinking to the future with this buy...

Thanks guys!

 

I had the AC done on my 240. All new everything. It was around $1000. I told my self when I bought the car, Oh well... no air conditioning. I'll get along fine. It is super nice to have it though.

 

our 240 hasn't had AC in 15+ years, but we live on the central california coast where temps are usually in the 60s/70s and rarely above 80.

 

The 240 I just sold had perfectly functioning AC and with tan cloth interior it didn't really heat up too much and cooled down quickly. The 740 has no AC and a black leather interior which heats up quickly! The summer has not been brutal yet! hoping all it needs is a recharge but if not then I will just have another car with no AC.

 

I'd not be surprised if a 20+ year old AC system had some minor leaks, usually easily repaired (a few new seals, a hose or two).

 

the 240 looks very nice.....except the bottom molding tells me something and the steering pump has visible caked on oil/dirt as if it was in 200 thousand mile car....everything is clean and lovely otherwise.

 

well,t hat engine on the red one looked heavily detailed, and I quite frankly don't trust detailed engines, I'd rather see them the way they were naturally.

 

$5800 just seems like a lot to me. Under 3$k is what I would think a perfect 240, but that's just what I think. Those black plastic parts were all hit with armor all or tire shine. I agree with pierce, all the detailed work can hide problems on an old car, just like a new set of tires on a car with a bent frame. When buying old cars, history matters. It's likely that it's in that great of shape too, but asking $5800 for it is unreal.

I like the 740 a lot. First it's a stick. That's getting really hard to find. Second it's got an M46 transmission with it. That's getting even harder to find. The wagon in a stick combo is yet rarer. Also I found 700 series cars much easier to get in and out of when compared to 200 series cars. With the sway bars and Hydras you can carve up the streets while hauling around a dresser in the back. The spare transmission and the very rare Volvo mudflaps interest me the most.

On the other hand, if you have the funds, a 240 that nice looking is hard to come by these days.

 

I'm a 240 guy, but 5k+ is outrageous unless it is 100% immaculate. There are some beautiful. Old 242s, gts, turbos, even late model 240s on eBay in better shape than that one that MIGHT sell for 4500-5000 on a good day. Id go wth the 740 on this one, you know what you're getting.