1992 Volvo 240 review from Australia and New Zealand

The engine computer failed at 187,000 and had to be replaced

There is an intermittent electrical fault in the right hand rear tail light that causes the bulb warning light to come on even though the bulbs are all working fine - it's annoying, but as it's intermittent I've learned to live with it.

This is my second Volvo, I got my first, a 244, when I passed my driving test and kept that car until I upgraded to a Volvo demo 240 in 1993 - I have travelled about 189,000 kilometres in the curent car and have had no problems with it at all, there have been some engine parts that have worn out, but the overall quality of the construction means that the costs of repairs are more than offset by the longevity of all the parts.

Being from a relatively dry continent my car's paint and bodywork still looks factory-fresh, there is not a mark on it and all the plastic and rubber components are unaffected by sun exposure.

The handling is very predictable and you never feel like the car is out of control - for a heavy car it handles really well.

I have driven my Volvo across Australia twice and never had a problem with it, it's a 3 day drive and although the fuel prices are a bit steep crossing the Nullabor Plain the car coped with three days of 12hr driving at about 120 km/h with no problems at all - it is a very comfortable car for long distance driving.

I love my Volvo and will keep it forever, it has everything a car should have and no "gimmicky" extras that usually fail after years of use. If I keep my car maintained I think it will outlast me...