1986 Volvo 245 240 DL review from North America

Majority of air conditioning system replaced each year for the first 7 years.

Ground wire came off in-tank fuel pump around 100,000.

Followed Volvo Maintenance to the letter - Following done during regular service:

Bushings replaced at least twice

Timing belt replaced 3 times

3 complete tune-ups.

Service was very expensive!!

Original Dunlop tires replaced at 38,000

Had total 4 sets of tires

Was towed at least 8 times.

We were pleased with the performance of the car. EPA rated the car at 18 city 21 highway, revised to 21 city 24 highway. We usually got 22 city, much better on the highway.

We never had any problems with driving this car in bad weather, it was wonderful in the snow and very good on ice.

Lights were very easy to replace, as were wiper blades.

The last trip I took was in 1996 from N. of Chicago to central New Mexico. I got 24 mpg at 65 mph, 27 mpg at 70 mph and 29 mpg at 85 mph (legal speed limit on Oklahoma Turnpikes). I felt very conspicuous in New Mexico, out in the middle of nowhere in a Volvo when all the other cars were US made, mostly white pickups.

We took that car everywhere, we never worried about it failing us.

Would I purchase another Volvo? New Front-Drive, NO. If Volvo comes out with a new rear drive, maybe. I still have access to a 1989 245 with only 86,000 miles.

Near the end the car's interior was literally falling apart. The vinyl was starting to tear, I had the car repainted and the rust fixed in 2000. The car seemed tired, and I did not want to put more money into it.

I replaced this car with a 13 year old Mercedes 300E.