1989 Volvo 240 from North America

Summary:

It's a pie wagon on pick up, but once it's going, it cruises not bad for a heavy vehicle

Faults:

Heater core replacement.

Rear window defroster not working.

Cargo trunk lid lock malfunctions.

Main fuel pump failed.

General Comments:

The placement of the inside door opener is way too far back; one needs to be double jointed to open the doors from the inside.

The seats are weak and the seat support is poor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 2012

1989 Volvo 240 GLE 2.3 B230E from Taiwan

Summary:

Very durable and sturdy

Faults:

A/C compressor died, replaced at 540000 km.

Alternator brushes worn out, replaced at 500000 km.

Rear trailing arm bushings deformed and cracked; very painful to replace them.

Seats worn badly, but still comfortable.

Cold starting sometimes difficult. After topping up some gas treatment / fuel system cleaner, this rarely happens.

Rear camshaft oil seal leaking, replaced at 490000 km.

Rear windshield demister doesn't work.

General Comments:

Underpowered, yet road handling is surprisingly good. It can cruise calmly at 150 kph (about 90 mph). With manual transmission, this car is still fun to drive. Its appearance is deceiving.

Small turning radius makes this car maneuver easily in urban areas.

Loud wind noise when driving fast. Sound dampening is poor.

Air conditioning is poor. Driving this car in Taiwan's summer noon would be a heat torture.

Fuel consumption rate is not very good, it can run on regular gasoline.

Most of all, this car is very durable and sturdy, and most parts are easy to change.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2012

1989 Volvo 240 GLT 2.3 B230E from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Volvo should make the 240 now, and have a real large Volvo estate

Faults:

Nothing.

I have replaced the tyres. Front disks and pads. Tailgate wiring harnesses. Cambelt and tensioner, service. All standard basic maintenance. I have spent about £400 for the above.

General Comments:

I bought my silver 240 GLT estate for £350.00 from a private seller with 9 months MOT. It has been absolutely superbly reliable.

I had a carburetted 740 before, but my fuel injected 240 is superior.

It has a black leather interior, electric mirrors/windows. Power steering and a huge load carrying capacity.

My fuel consumption averages 30mpg. It's not great, but it's far cheaper than a new car on finance. If you are over 25, you can get classic insurance for around £150. With LPG it would be ideal.

It handles quite well for an old car, and is quite nippy considering it's so heavy, and the 2.3l B230E engine has around 130bhp when new.

What I like most is it's simplicity. You open the bonnet and you can see and get at all the components if you need to. It is very DIY friendly. The bodywork is very good considering it is 22 years old.

I love my classic 240, and would rate it very highly for comfort and reliability. I would say don't discount an old Volvo as an everyday car. I only have my 240, and I use it everyday. The fuel costs are a bit higher, but it more than makes up for that in its reliability and ease of service/DIY.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2011

18th Jun 2013, 10:19

UPDATE.

Well I still own my 240 and it is still my daily driver.

No problems except needed a new alternator at 191,000 miles. Still drove home 20 miles with the dash lit up and the lights getting more dim.

The new alternator turned out to be faulty, as the voltage output was only 12.15V, so another was installed FOC.

Basic maintenance, and passed the last MOT no problems with great emissions levels, and for its previous MOT it needed a track rod end.

I still really like owning my GLT, and it's still proving reliable, even though it's 25 years old in January!!

It has now done 195,600 miles.

In reply to 18th Jun 2013, 10:19

10th Jul 2020, 18:01

Update.

Sold my 240 around a year ago as not used as I bought a 940. As the heater fan works!

Had a tail housing fitted on the gearbox and rad and cooler pipes fitted. Very reliable. Sold for £500 and covered 76,000 miles with me. Sold with 234,000 miles.

Now have a 940.