Volvo 240

roderickvonvolvo

Trying to source a 240 sedan ,preferably manual.One idea I have is getting hold of a high mileage and,consequently cheaper vehicle with good body and paint.I am assuming that I would soon need a complete overhaul of all systems engine,transmission,cooling,brakes,suspension etc.My question is how many dollars would I pay?Worst case?.I would give the job to a good mechanic eg Lupica.I enjoy driving and talking about Volvos but not crazy about working on them. Any ideas.Unfair question like how long is a piece of string but getting desperate.My current 850 has provided sterling service-but ,in my declining years I want to go back to a boxy RWD.Thanks

Slowbrick

Hey Swede,
Welcome.

Ok so you are looking for a 240. Which style were you looking for? You have the early with the round/square lights and flat bonnets. I'm talking about the 75 - 82 model years. Then you have the mid life ones with the coffin bonnets from 83 - 85 and finally you have the late end of life ones from 86 - 93.

The early ones will have Kjet or in some cases carbs. These are the most common ones to have a manual although most will be a 4 speed. Kjet is good when it works but does require proper troubleshooting and skill to work on it when it doesnt work.

The mid life ones will also be K-jet. The body style changed slightly as did the interior. These can be good cars, my dad had an 85. These will come with the 4 speed + OD manual gearboxes. Parts for these are easier to find than the early cars when it come to the body and interior as they share alot of parts with the later cars.

Then you have the late model 240. This one will have full electronic injection and the most bells and whistles. These cars however do lack the character of the early cars but they are quite easy to work on and the parts are plentiful.

You just need to decide which type you want and then we can make recommendations from there. If you decide it doesnt matter than you have a larger selection.

What to pay you ask? In recent times it would seem that the prices are on the rise. For a rough example that needs work you can expect to pay ~$300 - $500. This is a rough example though that would not be driveable without sinking in $$$. Between $1k and $2k will get you a nice car that you can drive home. It wont be perfect but it will be nice. Anything over that and you begin to step into the territory of where the seller is trying to get back what they spent on the car. $2k is the sweet point for most 240's that you will find in the classifieds. If you are patient and keep your ear to the ground there are deals to be had. I didnt pay a cent for my 240 and neither did my girlfriend for hers.

If you have any further questions just ask and tell Joe I said hi.

240

I haven't owned a Volvo for very long but maybe I can help you a bit...
I think what Slowbrick said in regards to price is right. As an example, I bought a 92 240 sedan (auto) for $1750. Technically nothing needed doing to it - it came with RWC and was ready for use as a daily driver. I decided I could make it better though, just by giving it a decent service - filters, leads, distributor, etc. Wouldn't have cost me much more than $200 for all the parts. If you get a mechanic to do it obviously it will cost more. Basically though, 240s are pretty good cars so there is a good chance that you wouldn't actually have to get a complete overhaul of the mechanical stuff done, just a decent service.
If you get a high mileage car - I wouldn't let that bother you. It all depends on how the car's been looked after. Mine has 400,000 km on it and drives perfectly.

Also - where are you?

Here are some I've found on Gumtree:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/banks/cars-vans-utes/1985-volvo-s40-sedan/1092045333
I have actually spoken to the owner of this one and if you're happy with the earlier (82-85) style front, K-jet and auto, then it would be a great car. Because it's an old car you'd probably need to get a couple of maintenance types things done but I'm pretty sure it'd serve you well. It was owned by an elderly man who owned it from new. Also has Virgo wheels which look nice.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/currumbin-valley/cars-vans-utes/1988-volvo-2-sedan/1093305587
Another auto but it has the later styling, LH fuel injection and is pretty cheap. Doesn't look too bad.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-gambier/cars-vans-utes/eoi-volvo-240gl-/1093268156
A bit older, and would probably need a few hundred $ put into it, but it's a manual which is good (manuals are hard to find).

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/warrawong/cars-vans-utes/volvo-240-manual/1093184133
Another manual, but you'd probably want to reserve around $1000 to get it nice.
Has what I think is the best looking front end (bonnet/grille).

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/osborne/cars-vans-utes/volvo-240-gl-240/1093045537
Manual which is good, and I don't think you'd need to spend much. If you're happy with an older one, would be a good buy.