When purchased, the alternator and battery both needed replacing.
Driver's seat upholstery was torn when purchased.
Driver's side lower spring seat broke at approximately 365,000 km.
High speed on windshield wipers only works intermittently (low speed always works fine).
Car has significant rust in the wheel wells, and the spare tire well is completely rusted through.
This is our fourth Volvo 240 series. It has been a bargain for a car costing only $275.
We have carried many huge loads with it (including a complete Ford six engine) with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
The car starts the first try, every time, without being plugged in during our frigid (-30C) winters.
The seats are extremely comfortable, I have driven 900 km in a single go with no back pain or numbing of the behind.
Even at its high mileage the car has lots of power and overtakes other cars effortlessly on the highway.
Fuel economy is consistently 25 mpg, regardless of the load carried.
My only real complaint is that running without a load interior noise levels are very high to the point of rendering conversation impossible.
The best feature is ease of repair, everything is easy to get at and parts are readily available (and inexpensive) through chain stores or at the wrecking yard. Most jobs can be accomplished with patience and a simple metric socket and wrench set.
The good design and practicality that Volvo valued are still evident in these great cars- they're almost impossible to kill! Long live the Volvo 240!
Volvos can carry more than their payload. Our '82 245 took about 1600 lb. It was dragging on the ground but these cars are only rated for 1000 lb. It went through mountains towing a trailer and was completely unflappable. Amazing vehicles that I wish they still built. Simple and reliable instead of today's luxurious and not-so-reliable Volvos.
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