1986 Volvo 240 DL wagon review from North America

The heater blower motor was replaced under warranty at 25,000 miles.

Replaced the water pump at 64,700 miles.

Replaced the ball joints at 80,300 miles.

The odometer quit at 114,500 miles and I replaced the gear.

I replaced the tailgate struts at 115,000 miles to keep from getting hit in the head any more.

Both windshield washer pumps went south and I replaced them at 115,500 miles. The internal gears were gunked up and seized. Lesson -- use windshield washer liquid and exercise the pumps once in a while.

I'm not including normal stuff like batteries, bushings, mufflers, windshields.

I bought this 1986 240DL Volvo wagon new. It is my first Volvo. I chose it partly because Toyota priced me out. Having owned three Toyotas previously, naturally I went shopping for a Toyota in 1986. And I wanted a wagon. I never did get into the SUV craze.

Disappointed with the huge price increases of the Toyota wagons from 1977 to 1986, I took a look at the Volvos. After comparing prices, features, and reputation, I went with Volvo.

This car has turned out to be the best car I've ever owned, considering price, reliability, endurance, and performance. Perhaps the word performance should not be applied to a 240 Volvo. But, hey, it's a little 2.3L four-banger engine and it performs better than expected.

Some of our friends made fun of "the box" when we first got it. But 21 years later the box still runs like new.

The B230F engine doesn't burn any oil and easily passes periodic Calif. smog inspections. The AW70 automatic transmission has been flawless.

The original factory radio is terrible, of course, and needs replacement.

Not a speck of rust on the body courtesy of the Calif. weather. However, the exhaust pipe, catalytic converter, and muffler were all replaced at around 85,000 miles due to corrosion.

We have driven this car only 11,000 miles in the last 10 years. So most of the maintenance items recently are due to age rather than mileage.

I expect this Volvo to be my daily drive because my 1993 Ford is falling apart. I'm thinking of improving the handling of the Volvo by beefing up the suspension, lowering the car an inch or two, and replacing the steel wheels with alloy.

With proper maintenance I'm confident I'll be able to drive it another 115,500 miles. But the car might outlive me.