30 Years Owned: 1991 Volvo 240
One of the most instantly recognizable classics from the 90s-era class of cars is the Volvo 240. Used by everyone from teachers to accountants to senior citizens to students, it is associated with being a dependable (if not slightly boring) machine that will be as loyal to you as a well-trained golden retriever. Speaking of golden, this tan 240 is a few shades off from our four-legged friends, but it has apparently been a wonderful companion to an older owner of 30 years. Find it here on eBay with an asking price of $13,995 and the option to submit a best offer.
The fact that the 240 has effectively been part of an entire generation of motorists has much to do with its relevance in the affordable collector car marketplace. For many of us of a certain age, we went from riding in the back of a 240 to driving one to school. My grandmother had a wagon that she adored and that I spent many afternoons in, and I’d later attend a high school with a parking lot littered with different variations of Volvo’s bread-and-butter sedan. This one has thankfully avoided the years’ worth of abuse many of those cars were subjected to.
The hard-wearing interiors were reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz W123 lineup, with seating surfaces seemingly impervious to every day wear-and-tear. The subject car is in beautiful condition, and with just 80,240 original miles, it appears to be barely broken in. Like the W123, this is meaningless mileage on one of these cars, as they are known for going deep into the six-digit range without a significant overhaul – especially if they’ve been maintained as this car surely has.
The seller notes this 240 has been in Oregon for all of its life and as such, the undercarriage is in mint condition with the factory undercoating still applied. The listing mentions that the tires are newer and the cam belt has been replaced, and I would assume that there’s a healthy stack of receipts somewhere for this 240 (it would be a shame if these didn’t make the transition from the long-term owner to the current dealer/seller.) The Volvo looks like a fair deal at the asking price and even more so if the seller accepts a best offer.
Comments
Nice ride to fly from my city to Portland its a 7 hour flight over $600 bucks but I can drive it in 5 hours and probably $200 in fuel if I drag a empty Uhaul auto transport behind me
So, go for it.
7 hour flight or a 5 hour drive.
Hmmm
I know its crazy its because the only airline that serves my airport wants to fly me to Salt lake city then to Portland. If I drive two in a half hours to Spokane Washington I can get a direct flight.
My parents had Saabs that were hand me downs from my grand father when ever he wanted a new car in the mid 1980s. But it seems like the 240 series volvos had a way of outlasting Saabs.
The boxy style never appealed to me. It looks like every car a little kid would draw or a glorified soviet union Lada.
This comment calls for a long reply. I was born and raised in Sweden and lived there until 2005. It was back when Volvos were real Volvos and Saab still existed. But other than both being Swedish brands they had no similarities. They sold to different personalities, and I don’t think that anyone in Sweden ever cross shopped between the two brands. Volvo owners were the stereotypical Swedes. Cautious, reserved, very non-individualistic. There was a saying that success for a Swede was defined as “Volvo, Villa, Vovve” (a Volvo, a house and a dog) Whether a business owner or a unionized worker, the Volvo would fit. The Volvo man (Yes, it was always a man) might consider a Mercedes if he was okay with the conspicuousness, possibly an Opel Rekord. But for the most part he never cross shopped. The Volvo man went straight to the local Volvo dealer and traded for a new one.
The Saab owner – man or woman – was more liberal, less concerned with status and conventional thinking. Could be a teacher, a doctor, a more free-thinking engineer. The Saab buyers were rarely as loyal. They would get a Renault 16, a Peugeot 504 or be early adopters for Japanese cars. Later they would get an Audi 80 or maybe even a Citroen BX.
And yes, the Saabs never lasted as long. A tow truck owner I once knew commented that he had more than twice as many calls involving Saab than Volvo despite that there were 4 times as many Volvos on the road. Or that the average life of a car in Sweden at the time was almost 50% longer for a Volvo. I owned many both Volvos and Saabs and never once was stranded or experienced a major issue with a Volvo and had several typical problems with Saabs. Weak gearboxes, head gasket failures, grenading drive shafts. Presumably Saab just never had the money to fully develop and test their cars given that they never made any money selling them.
I love getting small lectures on anthropology at the comment section of old car websites.
No irony here. It really provides valuable insights on how cars and car brands appeal to different groups.
You said at the beginning Volvo owners never cross shopped. Then you said you owned both…. 😂
I think 70’s/80’s when I see these, 90’s were the end of the line.
This is peak Volvo. When I worked on these I called them the Swedish Chevrolet. Basic rear wheel drive and reliable. Parts were cheap and companies sold both 5.0 Ford and Chevy small block conversion kits making these unsuspecting wolves in sheep’s clothing. I owned several and had great respect for them. They may not be sexy but they drive surprisingly well when Bilstein struts/ shocks are fitted with IPD stabilizer bars. Saginaw steering rack gave good feedback and they had good brakes.
Always preferred these over the 740/760 that replaced these. Something always looked a bit ‘off’!
The Swedish brick, and damned good one. I had one in blue, bought for a movie gig I worked on. It was first time dealing with these. I loved it, drove all over after the production wrapped. I gave it to a buddy who used it for years without issue. The slant 4 not a powerhouse but very reliable and consistent and that is what I love in any machine. Great car here.
Hi Daymo. I drove a 63 10 years and 97 Volvo for 3 and the 63 was my favorite. I developed a friendship with ther Volvo master mechanic who won many awards. He always said the 240 was the best car that Volvo built. If I needed a car I would jump all over this onee.
Had many Volvos from 240 wagons to 740GLE’s through ’92. Either this is the wrong year mentioned or the rear headrests were removed. All 90’s (even some late 80’s 240s had rear headrests). I’d grab this in a heartbeat I believe they retired the 240 in ’93…
Had a 1993 240. Biggest problem was the electric system. Fuse box on the driver’s side panel. Attacked by moisture constantly blowing fuses. . Bus fuses, had to replace. The the fuel pump in the gas tank., rewire the tail lights fix the horn windshield wipers good cars but who on earth design their electric system!! Own too many of these to count all of them had electrical problems.
I failed to mention I love my 850 turbo The spirited little car had plenty of room fun to drive. Impossible to find a clean example. But, once again electric problems.
I’m currently driving a 1998 S90. I love it.
It’s my second one.
From 1988 to 1992 only one car had zero fatalities in the USA. The 240.
Years ago a friends’ daughter was in a t-bone accident while in her 240. The other car was totaled. The 240 was barely dented and it was the other than that rammed the Volvo.