1983 Volvo 240 DL Wagon from North America - Comments

Poor acceleration performance after purchase was tracked down to a clogged fuel injector. This was inexpensive ($30) and easy to replace by myself.

No mechanical problems aside from injector. Numerous electrical problems with electrical accessories, mostly on the tailgate of the car. All were present before I purchased the car. All, save one, were easy to fix by rewiring.

Air conditioner blower motor failed and was extremely difficult to access. Accessing and replacement required over 10 hours of dash removal. If possible find a car in which the motor has already been replaced. Since I performed the repair myself, labor wasn't an issue, but were I to have it replaced at the dealer I would expect it to be horribly expensive.

I purchased the car for $850 which considering the amazing reliability of the car makes it a remarkably good deal. This car's engine is built like a tank. It has more mileage than most cars have in a lifetime, and it still runs like new, which is remarkable.

Unfortunately it is also the slowest car I've ever driven. 0-60mph takes over 12 seconds which is in line with its rated 111 horsepower. An engine this small should never have been taxed to haul a car weighing over 3000 pounds. I hate how slow it is. If you're at all interested in performance do not buy this car.

Handling is sub-par compared to anything made in the last 10 years. This would likely be significantly improved by new shocks and struts, but replacing all four of them would cost half the original purchase price of the car.

Ironically contrasting with the car's overall performance is the braking system, which is very very good. The tires are wide enough to not lock up under heavy braking and the 4 wheel disc brakes (well ahead of their time) stop the car very quickly.

Gas mileage is somewhat good, being 20-23mpg on average. Were I not constantly flooring the gas pedal to give it remotely acceptable performance, it would probably get better fuel economy.

The car is incredibly roomy. The back seat makes you feel like you're in a limosine. The legroom is very good. Leather seating is nice but the driver's seat is badly worn.

If you think your Volvo is slow you should try driving an 83 Volvo diesel. That's what I have and, like you, the only reason I won't keep it forever is because its the slowest car I've ever driven. I bought it for a highway commute this summer and I will get rid of it in September.

Slow? You won't find a faster used Yank Tank at the same price. Whats the pont of whacking great 5, 6 or 7 litre V8's that only wheeze out 150 or so emmisions strangled horses. Put in context, the puny 2.1 or 2.3 litre Volvo lumps ain't that bad.

Slow acceleration is common to all diesel vehicles unless it's a turbo diesel. You wouldn't have this complaint with a 240GL. So when complaining about the speed you should qualify your comments by stating that it is simply in the nature of a diesel vehicle to be slow and that your complaint is with the diesel engine, not the car or manufacturer. Diesels are usually purchased for their reliability and durability, not their incredible road performance. I had the same experience with a 1978 Mercedes 300D. You just have to get used to it.

In case you didn't read my review before commenting, my car had both the gasoline engine as well as a manual transmission, making it as 'fast' if not 'faster' than your car. Your impassioned commentary on diesels, though appreciated, has no bearing on my complaints of my car being horribly underpowered. In response to your theory that it's the engine's fault and not the manufacturer, I'd like to point out that Volvo who DECIDED to put diesels in some of their early 240 series models. It's not like the engine just jumped into the engine bay and took them by surprise. As evidence of their poor design, the diesels are amongst the least reliable engines that Volvo ever made. Their production ceased in the early eighties as a result of it.

I think the prior dude meant Volvo 240 GLT (ti) the turbo, intercooled volvo 240 will keep right up with the best of em. Especially when you crank up the boost :)

0-60 times of around 7 seconds.

If you ever get a chance, drive a 240 turbo, or a 740 turbo. You will be shocked that its the same b21 engine :)

My current project? 1980 volvo 240 diesel sedan converted to Chevy 350 v8. 28mm front sway bar, bilstein shocks, limited slip rear differential. Ready to move right along down the interstate :)

It wasn't a bad diesel design. It was the aluminum in all the six cylinder engines, including gas, which warped that did most of them in. but I recently had 270k on my '84 diesel, with 30+ mpg every tank before it was totaled by a city cab.

I owned an 81 240 GL. It was my favorite car I had ever owned, and that's out of a total of 34. Yes, 34 cars. It wasn't a rocket by any means, but I found the acceleration to be adequate. Like yourself I found it to be extremely reliable from a mechanical standpoint, but the electrical problems are a bear. Had to replace the blower motor too, what a nightmare that was. I sold it to a friend of mine and it's currently sitting at a shop where the poor mechanic (and a damn fine one at that) can't figure out just exactly what the problem is. What a shame that Volvo never managed to get their electrical systems on par with thier mechanical excellence.

Hey! About the Volvo 240 models...we've owned a couple of them, including 2 1984 diesels, and YES, they (the diesels especially) are pretty slow to accelerate. However, I have found that certain companies make after-market products for Volvos that boost performance, handling, appearance, etc. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm trying to promote a particular company here, but I receive catalogues from a company called IPD for my current 1984 diesel and 850 turbo. Things can be expensive, but I think it's worth a look if you want to help with the pokey old Volvos - some products out there can add some surprising power to these cars.

I wrote this review quite a while back, and since have made drastic changes regarding the car's performance. I'm at the 3 year mark of owning the car now, and it still has yet to have a major failure.

Modifications which I've since added to the car: A turbo system salvaged from turbo model 240 and 740 cars, which I bolted on and plumbed for oil for less than $200. After setting the boost to 12psi and adding extra injectors to supply fuel, the car is now significantly faster than stock. When I bought the car, it ran 18.5@73mph in the quarter mile when I took it to the track completely stock. Now with the turbo system, it has run 15.1@91mph at 11psi of boost. I've also since added 15" wheels, 205mm tires, and turbo sedan sway bars to improve handling.

It's now a totally different car, and I love it.

I'm currently in a 740T Wagon - love it - after having three Volvos previous. And I remember spending all day installing a new blower motor (it was over 400 bucks, if I recall) in a 240 sedan years ago. Man, was that a job - hands all scraped up. Does anybody know when Volvo changed to a blower motor configuration that avoided the change-out nightmare?

I have a 1982 GLT sedan, non turbo. They were bored out to 127 horses and mine was equipped with the 4 speed manual with electronic overdrive. Never found it slow, what needs to be done is an adjustment in the way you drive. If you go to europe cars are far more underpowered and nobody is complaining there. Look for manuals, so you can drive them at their best performance mark at all times. They're great cars!