1985 Volvo 240 GL review from Australia and New Zealand
"Great cruiser which is powerful enough on highways and very comfortable on long trips"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Heater vent loose on left side.
Radio/tape poor.
Water enters boot (trunk) during very heavy rain.
General comments?
This is my third Volvo of this model range over the last 13 years.
The first was a 1981 244 GL manual and cost me 4 tyres, a clutch master cylinder, and a fuel pump over 7 years -not real bad eh?
The second was a 1980 244 GL auto and over 5 years required only a reconditioned auto gear box, a battery and 4 tyres.
The current car is a 1985 244 GL auto and was purchased in mint condition from the original owner. It, like the others, is used for long distance, high speed cruising on Australian outback roads. It is comfortable, ultra reliable, cheap to run and maintain, and easy to do routine work on. No problems with this car as yet.
2 points about 240 series Volvos:
Luxury car that is cheap to buy and run (most people don't like the "Volvo Driver" tag so they are often unwanted in the market place.)
The radio/tape provided are very poor - all three of mine have been useless.
Recommended Reviews:
  | 1988 - 240 GLE 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder, injected petrol Its faster than it looks |
| Boxy, but beautiful |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.3 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 225000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 240000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volvo 244 |
| Date of Entry | 18th July, 2001 |