Hi, this is my first post, and this would be my first Volvo purchase.

I was wondering if the selling price for this vehicle matches it's value if it would be in fair condition.

1987 Volvo 240 DL, $2,950 - Cars.com

Thank you.

 

Don't be afraid to speak up, just want some input on this one...

 

that seems way high unless that car is really really cherry, and has been very well maintained.

a lot of it depends on where you are, too. sellers in places like SF places ask a premium. cars.com tends to mostly have dealer cars, and they tend to charge twice as much as private sales.

I recently bought a 91 740 turbo wagon for $1200, had a few known issues but lots of goodness too (most of the stuff that wears out in the engine had already been replaced, all the hoses were fairly new, etc).

 

Yeah, It would have to be in really good condition for that price and include accessories like an armrest and floor mats to make it worth while. Even if it has a good record, expect some work in the near future (as with any car really.) It may be worth it if it was a 93' or 92' but still. Buying one from a private seller would be best, and make sure you know a little about the 200 series in general. If you can make good conversation about the car with them, they generally liked the car and actually maintained it. Don't rush into buying one.

 

those dark metallic colors like that blue are extremely prone to the clearcoat peeling off on the tops of things. the stealer probably hid this in the photos with a whole lotta wax, they are really good at waxing.

mid 80s volvos were very prone to electrical gremlins caused by biodegradable wiring (early RoHS stuff). Likely candidates for service based purely on age are all rubber hoses. the radiator. the heater core and heater fan. the A/C is unlikely to work (even new, the 87 had anemic A/C). I'm probably forgetting stuff.

 

Ask the dude where the flame trap is. If he don't know, walk away...

 

Thanks for the input guys! I agree, it is a bit high. I think $2000 would be fair, and it'd be pushing it. I'm gonna give him a call over the phone and see if I can talk him down. I shall update tomorrow!

 

A voice of reason here...this is a 24 year old car. I'd walk away personally. Unless it was garage kept with a pristine interior...then it would be worth 1500-1800 to me. The mechanical stuff can be repaired but interior parts and upholstery are NLA new. Junk yards now are no longer a good source for new seats as they too are 20+ years old. Keep it in mind. When people start babbling about Volvo motors just being broke in at 150k, I tend to leave. That all depends on how many owners, drivers and scheduled maintenance done on a timely basis.

 

^ Agreed, I bought my '92 740 turbo for $500 with a blown HG caused by an overheat but otherwise is interior and paint was in great shape and no rust anywhere on the car. Dash is perfect, no cracked plastic, stuff like that. It's been (and still is) a labor of love and if it hadn't been a turbo I probably would have said no even at that price.

2k seems WAY too high! Any pics?

 

Here's some pics. The interior looks like it's in really great shape. Has 98k miles.

Vehicle Photo: 1987 Volvo 240 DL

 

I'd go with the value quoted in a previous post so if it's running perfect no more than $1500. $1000 would be more like it.

 

Spend the $80-$150 and get an independent inspection done by a Volvo mechanic preferably someone that knows 240's pretty well. 87 is a great year for the 240 it is one of the last years that does not have the OBD1 system which began in 89 (means you can still set and adjust your own idle,do distributor timing, no crank angle sensor and the wire harness problems that the 86 had are mostly cured. Also parts for this year to replace are much cheaper than the 89-93 and ECU's rarely go bad. I think it is a fair price for the miles 98K(very low!) if it does not need too much work. But be prepared and do not get scared because THEY ALL NEED WORK! So unless you know how to do the work yourself be expect a minimum of $1000-$2500 worth of work needed. If you get an inspection where it only needs $1000 or less worth of repairs then you steal it and run! But an independent inspection will giuve you 2 things. #1 piece of mind that you are not buying a car with some serious problems or damage #2 a way to negotiate price with the seller. It's really a win/win. However with that said the 240's are very popular right now and the demand is HIGH I just sold a 92 245 Classic with 150k for $3750 and the guy is paying for shipping to California. I actually probably could have sold it for $5-$6k. Point being a car is worth only what someone will pay and right now nice 240's are getting good money and 98k is NOTHING! Very hard to find a 240 with an actual 98K on it anymore. Make sure the mechanic checks compression, tranny and overdrive, heater fan motor, wire harness and for rear main seal leaks. These are really going to be your most costly repairs everything else is just normal maintenance i.e. timing belt, front seals, drive belts, tune parts, brakes, suspension(which 240's are prone to go thru bushings like crazy) etc etc etc. If this car truly has 98k and it checks out you can have a reliable car for another 20+ years with very little maintenance and the 240's are only going up in value not down so when you go to sell it you will sell it for more than you bought it for if you keep it nice. You cannot listen to guys spending $500 for a car with a blown head gasket. That is not a deal that is someone dumoing iff their junk to someone that can fix it cause they cannot do it, do not want to do it or cannot afford to pay a mechanic like myself $1200-$1500 for the job done right. So see if the seller will let you do a pre-buyers inspection. If they say no then you walk cause obviously they are hiding something. If they say yes then you probably have a decent car and you schedule the appointment and cross your fingers that it does not need any MAJOR repairs. Then after you get the report back from your trusted Volvo mechanic you negotiate a fair price for the car so it is a win/win and everyones happy and you have a fine Volvo with only 98K that you can be proud of and brag about Good luck I hope you get it!!! Di not waste time cause someone else will scoop it up...trust me.

 

Please if you can find me a Volvo 240 with 98k for $1000 in good running condition and good cosmetic condition I will take 10!! I will pay for a flat bed to pick them all up and bring them to me....I guess in my neck of the woods that's unheard of!

 

The driver's door looks replaced to me.

 

It's probably going to need new belts etc but I haven't talked to the guy about any of that yet. I'm gonna give him a call tomorrow, see if I can talk him down a bit, and then decide on checking the car out.

 

What makes you think that? I'll ask about it...

 

looks slightly different color, and hte lower trim piece looks new.

 

You guys are right.

I'll call him tomorrow and ask if it was in an accident.

 

this car is at a dealer. they will deny any knowledge, and try to baffle you with bull$#!+

 

You have to look with your own eyes and make an intelligent decision. Drive it and drive others like it so you can see the differences. no big deal if a door has been replaced just make sure it doesn't have any major frame damage or that someone welded frame etc together...yes dealers cannot be trusted so that's why you have to be the investigator and based on your findings decide to buy or not. That is why you also need take it to an independent Volvo specialist that will be your advocate and make sure you are getting a safe reliable car. But don't let a replaced door sway you unless you are looking to collect the dang car and not drive it but the last time I checked the Volvo 240 is no 67 Stingray...ya know what I mean?