1987 Volvo 240 DL review from North America

Not included basic scheduled preventative maintenance, I...

Replaced the rear shocks at 98,000 miles because they had firmed up and didn't give anymore.

Replaced the trailing arm bushings at 98,000 miles.

Replaced the radiator at 110,00 miles because car was overheating.

Replaced the transmission seals at around 115,000.

Replaced a bad right front wheel bearing at around 140,00 miles.

Replaced the taillight light bulbs more times than I can count. Moisture gets into the lights and shorts them out.

Replaced the overdrive relay switch at about 150,000 miles.

Replaced the mass air sensor around 160,000 miles.

Replaced the catalytic converter around 175,000 miles/

Replaced the transmission seals again at 200,000 miles.

Replaced the radiator (again), also at 200,000 miles.

This is just a partial list; I've had to sink a lot of cash into the car to keep it in good shape.

Oh, the driver's seat cushion is wearing out now.

First, I would not consider buying any other used car with the high mileage this one had at time of purchase.

Second, my dealer experience was great, they treated me like I was buying a new, expensive car, and I yet I got a good price.

Third, the car was fun to drive and didn't give me many unexpected problems for the first 4 years of ownership, or to around about 160,000 miles. It has always been underpowered, however.

Fourth with age, the car does not perform as well, there have been undiagnosable small engine problems and rattles.

Fifth, it has more than 200,000 miles on it, and it has led a pampered life over the 7 years I've owned it. But they have not been trouble free years. One thing after another has given out as the car has aged.

Sixth, while it still looks great (the paint job is original an is holding up well even after 15 years, and the interior is holding up well (except for the driver's seat), even basic maintenance is expensive and you'll note from the list above that one thing or another has broken about every 10,000 miles. I have an independent Volvo mechanic I've used for about the past 6 years, and I trust him. In other words, he has never tried to sell me on a repair. He only has fixed what I've asked him to look into. But keeping the car running has been expensive each year. In hindsight, I should have sold the thing about 25,000 miles ago.

Seventh, I see that a lot a people have raved about the car, but from perhaps a more objective point of view, there is a point of diminishing returns, where you start throwing in good money after bad, just trying to keep the car in decent shape.

Eighth, since the last 240 was built in 1993, I doubt many low mileage examples can be found at this point. I think that if you are willing to pay a premium for maintenance, then if you can find one with about 100,000 miles on it, you will have a good car for 4 or 5 years, depending on your annual mileage. After that, only your level of patience will determine if it's still a good car.