1987 Volvo 240 DL review from North America

So far, have only replaced the battery.

I accidentally kicked the drivers door map pocket, causing it to crack due to it's age.

Where to begin?

I was 19 when my father helped me purchase my first Volvo.

It was a 1976 244.

We bought the car for $650 dollars, and it already had 150k miles.

At the time I thought that it was a worthless piece of rusted pre-civil war art. The only reason I'm not driving it now (17 yrs later) is because of the body rust and a failing steering knuckle. I was amazed that this 4 speed stick could handle and jump off the line better than my friends American cars.

When the car was no longer safe to drive (steering knuckle) it had 228,000 miles and still purred like a kitten. I have talked with about this car with fondness ever since we sold it for parts.

Now for the good part!

When I initially met my wife, her family had a black 1987 Volvo 240 DL sitting in the drive way. Due to her mother's illness, the car hadn't been driven for 3 yrs at that point. She has since passed away, and my Father-in-Law couldn't bring himself to sell the car for sentimental reasons.

This year, he also passed away, and left the car to my wife and I.

She isn't interested in the car, but I definitely am.

Okay, for all of you that are familiar with Volvos, tell me what you would do.

The car has been sitting for approximately 10 yrs.

It has been outside with cloth car cover protecting it.

The body has no visible rust. The paint is only slightly oxidized, but I am going to have it detailed.

It will need brakes (because of the way my in-laws drove with the left foot on the brake).

And the tires all have evidence of sun damage.

I had to jump the car with my truck to move it, and immediately it started up like someone had driven it the day before. I drove it around the block, and the steering is a little stiff, but besides the brakes, you wouldn't have known that the car had not been run in 10 yrs.

I plan to change all of the fluids, filters, hoses, and belts. With a new set of brakes and tires, this car should last at least another 10 years.

But WAIT!

Here's the best part...

The car only has 65,000 original miles!!!

My father-in-law also left a loaded 2001 Monte Carlo with 55k miles, and we are already planning to sell it.

I would MUCH rather have an old Volvo, than a newer Monte!

I can't wait to get it running on the road!!