240
Hi everyone,
I'm after a 240 wagon - not too fussed on condition, although that would influence what price I'd pay (anywhere between about $500 and $2500 depending on condition).
It needs to be a manaul, and I'd like one from 1986 or newer (to get the B230F rather than B230E, and I also like the front end of the newer ones more).
I'm in Canberra but one in Sydney, Brisbane or Adelaide may work out (Perth and Melbourne aren't options though).
I've had a decent look on all the classifieds websites but haven't found anything that meets all those criteria (except this one:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-cbd/other-parts-accessories/volvo-240-gl-estate-wagon-7-seater/1071293322 which has sold - was it someone on here who bought it?).
It's not urgent, I've got a few months to find one, but I thought I'd post this in case someone has one they need to relocate at some point or has seen one for sale that I've missed.
Thanks.
egads (she/her)
Welcome! I will try and post any I see in the radar section and tag you!
240
I've found one locally that isn't quite what I want - it's an automatic, but I may be able to get it quite cheaply. However, the ad says that the heater is noisy - from what I've read, this means that the blower motor needs to be replaced, which is a BIG job. Is this true? If it's something that's not all that difficult then I'd consider giving it a go myself, but I've only ever done simple jobs on cars like oil changes, brakes, radiator etc, so would a heater motor be too big a job for me?
Basically, should I consider buying the car or give it a miss? The only reason I'm considering it is because it is local so I wouldn't have to travel to buy it.
Thanks.
lasercowboy
Yes - replacing the blower motor is by far the worst job on these cars. Most people will tell you it's more difficult and tedious than replacing a gearbox or engine.
There is a great pictorial write-up here:
cleanflametrap.com/fan.html for a left-hand drive. It will give you an idea of the magnitude of the job. Not mechanically demanding or particularly costly for parts, but takes a full day.
240
I just read that write-up actually. From that it looks like the problem is more that it's time consuming, than requiring mechanical skill - which may be all right for me as I would have the opportunity just to work on it slowly over a few weeks.
I thought it might be a good learning experience, to get better at working on cars - or would I just end up getting frustrated and wanting to push the car off a cliff?
lasercowboy
You're quite right - it's not mechanically challenging, just tedious The important part is keeping track of wires (have a good multimeter handy) and screws/fasteners. Because it's very easy to get to the end with a handful of bits left over!
That said, it is a good chance to have a rootle around, replace anything else (including the bulbs in the dash panel, etc.) en route that needs doing (or will soon).
I would say that it's not a cold weather job! So if you've got a heated garage you'll be fine.
240
That's the bit I'm worried about - keeping track of everything and not ending up with bits left over!
But I haven't even bought the car at the moment, so I shouldn't be worrying too much.
240
Didn't end up getting the one I mentioned before - turned out it just had too many otehr small problems.
So if anyone has one or knows of one for sale I could potentially be interested. Cheers
lasercowboy
240
Just saw that actually! A shame it's auto. I might still see if I can go and have a look at it though, since I'm in canberra.
If I got hold of a manual tranny and a clutch, how much do you think it would cost to get it converted from auto to manual? (I don't think I'd try doing it myself.)
lasercowboy
$1200 is a good budget for the changeover including most of the bits.
you will need to find the flywheel and front propshaft section though, as they are flipping rare these days. I'm going through the same agonising process!
@iceton1975 would be a good person to ask for the gory details.
240
Thanks for that.
What proportion of 240s in Australia were sold as manuals? Most of the ones I've seen for sale seem to be autos.
lasercowboy
yeah the manuals are pretty rare here. the earlier 4 speed/overdrive M46 boxes a bit less so - but not sure on the stats - anyone want to jump in with some wisdom? :)
240
I wonder why that is. To be honest I've never actually driven a 240 but from what I gather, the manuals are quite a bit better to drive. Is that true? How much difference really would it make - would I be missing out on a lot with an auto?
Also with the one in Canberra that you found earlier - the ad isn't really all that useful but from what's there, do you think the $2000 asking price is reasonable? If I look at it I can obviously come back here and ask after that but I thought I'd see what your first impressions were.
(It says it needs a new front left headlight - I'm not sure if that means the glass or whole headlight assembly but either way, how hard is that to source fairly cheaply?)
GingerNinja
240;54252 wroteI wonder why that is. To be honest I've never actually driven a 240 but from what I gather, the manuals are quite a bit better to drive. Is that true? How much difference really would it make - would I be missing out on a lot with an auto?)
When I first bought my 240 it had a B230F with an auto gearbox. It was slow as balls... painfully boring to drive. I swapped in a W55 gearbox after the auto box shit itself and I was much happier. The car was only a little bit faster but it was a lot more fun to drive.
240
A W55 gearbox? What car is that from? I thought the 240s only came with M46 and M47 manual gearboxes...
BradC
I've had 5 manual 244's (and a manual 144) and I've moved to an auto 740. The manuals were always more fun. Much, much more fun. It's going to take a _lot_ of work to make the Auto anywhere near as much fun as a manual.
It's much easier and far less work to bounce a manual off redline between gear changes, and that's what it takes to make a N/A redblock fun.
Ex850R
240;54267 wroteA W55 gearbox? What car is that from? I thought the 240s only came with M46 and M47 manual gearboxes...
Toyota W55 and higher are a great box.
Vee_Que
The best fun you can have with a na redblock is to turbo it if you don't intend to spend big money to make it rev properly with good internals.
lasercowboy
Echoing the thoughts of previous responders -- the manuals are very "instant", surprisingly torquey and a good fun drive.
You have a great deal more control of the back end in the wet/should you get into bother on roundabouts/tight bends, and the fuel economy falls in the range of better to much better, depending how you drive!
If you plan to drive in town/traffic a lot, then there are obvious advantages to a slushbox, but otherwise manual is the driver's car, IMHO.
