Hi everyone. I'm new to the Volvo forums. I'm thinking about purchasing a 92' 240 for my daily commute to work (~30 miles each way). The car I am looking at has ~115k miles with an automatic transmission. I currently own a 09' BMW 328i and want a second car to avoid racking up miles on my BMW.

My question is, since I really don't know much about these cars, what are the "weak points" I should watch out for that would leave me stranded? Thanks in advance...

 

anything 1990 and newer is pretty well sorted out, as long as its been decently maintained. obviously, as with any 20 year old car, maintenance neglect can expose all the usual weak points of any older car (radiator, hoses, sludged up transmission, alternators, tired/loose suspension components, etc etc). the redbrick engine itself is a total tank, they go 300-400k miles without needing anything more than routine service as long as they are reasonably maintained.

if there's any weak spot, its probably the air conditioning

 

Those transmissions are also very reliable.

 

indeed, as long as the ATF has been flushed a few times over the 20 years

 

Thank you both for the input!