1987 Volvo 240 DL from North America - Comments

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.

All the trouble you have mentioned are in fact in line with the age and mileage of the car -- even Japanese cars will go through that. I'm surprised you haven't replaced the water pump yet. You're right about diminishing returns, but at least every problem you have can be attributed to age and wear more than anything. My previous '86 Audi 80 GTE started to have a problem every 6 months/8,000 km, like a water pump or a nut under the subframe (needing 6 hours of labour to access and fix properly), a steering rack, a wheel bearing, and it was just age really. Bought another Audi. What would concern me is design faults or common problems such as failing engine electricals, constant transmission problems regardless of maintenance, etc. You've had a good run out of your car.

My 240 has about 157K miles on it. I'm the somewhat satisfied second owner. Already put in over $5500 since 2001 to bring it back to life. Changed the fuel pumps, brake pads, shocks, radiator, rear lights, gaskets and adjusted the timing belt. I'm commenting here because I agree with the previous point of diminishing returns. I really want to stop paying for repairs and just have my Volvo go. My wife's 1990 Nissan Sentra offers an ass-boring ride, but has only needed 30% of my Volvo's total maintenance & repair expenditures. Hmmmm. I've done a lot of calculating and thinking about whether to dump my 240.

My decision - stick with it unless the repair costs accelerate. I need a reliable family car, but I do not want to purchase a new $25,000 sedan. I'm want to keep this Volvo running for the longer term and spend the couple thousand dollars per year on replacement parts, tune-ups and repairs at my independent Volvo shop. I figure if I reach a point where I exceed $2000 per year in repairs, I will have to let it go. Am I making progress on the 240's health or am I dreaming? Any comments on my comment are welcome. Thanks.

RTK.

I*M a NEW to ME Volvo owner I just Got ONE a 1987 240 DL sedan previousley owned buy a Freind Car looks Good interiors nice--I have allways owned American cars- but now w/Gas over $2.00 a gallon & mine shows? 129,000--but its been sitting out side over a year--I read the Manual--Charged the Battery-checked the Fluids--& Hooked UP my Seat Belt-placed it in Park--& turned the Ingnition Switch--& NOTHING?--Radio Plays-Lights are nice & Bright & every thing seems to Work?--horn -whippers-directionals--but--it Don*t START?--NOTHING??--& where its been sitting-what should I Clean UP? or Replace?--Tires are Like NEW--battery? once its Running! I intend Removing the Wheels & sanding off the Rust on the Brake Rotators & replace the Pads if needed & change the Oil & Filter--& give IT a Lube Job--& Wash & Wax--& Change the Auto tranny Fluid & Filter-also the Rear End Lube--but--What Am I doing WRONG? in NOT being able to Start IT?--Next I assume? I should remove all the electrical connections at the Stater-& Clean the Battery Posts--Is there a FUSE? I*M not Familure with?--the Reason I*M asking? is my Freind Died so I cannot ask HIM! I*M 70 yrs OLD a Retired Trucker so mechanical Stuff is NO problem!--THANKS Ole JIM--

It's probably a little late, and I hope you've already figured it out, but for the reference of others, when you get no response from an otherwise OK (seeming) car upon turning the key, try having someone carefully tap the starter motor with a screwdriver to see if it'll then crank the engine- if it does, you need a new starter.

All negative comments are correct; most new parts for these cars are very expensive. One must consider the high quality of the engine block, body and interior of the Volvo 240 (I have owned four and have massive repair experience) against keeping a 114 hp old car running. At least the cops ignore you.

A common problem with the 240 not starting, assuming it does crank is the fuel pump relay switch. It costs about $25.00 and is easily located under the glove box. It is usually a white "Box" looking thing about the size of a wall nut. It has several prongs on one end and simply plugs in, Piece of cake to change. One way to check is to turn the key to the on position and listen for a faint hum from the fuel pump.

Pbbbbt... with 2.8 million 240s made there has to be a few that aren't "perfect." I am sorry that yours happens to be one of them, but you have to agree, they are a great car. I have had 4 240 series volvos, and they have all performed splendidly. My '84 GL wagon had 320k on it when I sold it, and my current DD, an '87 240 DL has 244k miles on it. Little things that are wrong with the car do not bother me.

Yes, Volvos are expensive to maintain/fix, but, it was never designed as a throw away car, this is why the parts are expensive. They are quality parts, and yes, occasionally you get a bad one (There may be plenty of reasons for 2 rads in 200k miles), but you would be hardpressed to disagree, Volvos are great cars, and are almost unstoppable.