I'm a newbie looking for my first Volvo. Please let me know what you think is a fair price on this one. I spoke with a guy (I have not seen it yet) about an hour away from me who has a 91 240, asking $5,000, 2nd owner, 120K miles, excellent cond in/out, supposedly drives out great, clean engine bay, nothing wrong with it and the following new parts - CD player, brake pads/rotors, tires, cleaned throttle body. The previous owner (deceased) had it serviced at the local dealer. They only kept the records from 80K miles forward, but they show timing belt, several fluid changes, new thermostat, flame trap and full 90K service. Possible problems - he did say that it sat for a while before he bought it. Bird droppings messed up the roof paint, so he had a shop paint the roof only. He also mentioned that the rear fog lights don't work. Are rear fog lights an aftermarket accessory? When I called the dealer they let out that dye had been put into the A/C system at the 90K service, so I have to assume that it at least has a slow leak. The service guy assumed that it had been converted to R134 since the recharge cost was so low. I was looking more for a driver that I could tinker with in the $2K range, but this one sounds nice. Thoughts?

:00000732: $5,000 is top dollar for a 240. With only 120K miles $3,500 is more typical. Fog lights are standard equipment. If it's a sedan, chance are it's a problem with the circuit boards on the rear light cluster. This could provide you years of reliable transport if it's as good as it sounds. For $2000 you could get a 240 with more miles and a few more problems.

:cat: Hi there cajun.

Please review my article:

http://www.volvo-forums.com/t8831-buying-a-used-volvo.htm

I've given you the formula to buying prices there.

Good luck.

Cheers :right:

240's seem to command a serious premium in the states - I bought a Volvo 240 GLT sedan in dark blue the other day for a mate of mine - 5spd manual, 102k, FSH Leather etc 1990 model for £350! thats around $525 - Needed really no work at all - just a service and tune up - What a car! - That engine seriously shifts!

If we drove left hookers over in the UK - I'd start exporting them over to the states - A 240 DL can be picked up in good nick in the UK for a couple of hundred pounds!!!

850meister,i had the same thought.i picked up my 960 estate for £125.why are volvos so expensive in the U.S.?

850Meister,

I had to re-read your post. At first I thought you were talking about driving hookers over to the States. I just started looking into Volvo's, so this is only my guess - low-mileage 240's (under 120K miles or so) in decent shape are getting somewhat rare over here. A '93 240 with 60K miles recently went for $9,000 on ebay. I live in the South, so the ones I see are pretty much rust free, but I imagine that many of the ones up North have died a rusty death.

It's basically because there is a big demand for them. Part of the reason is that many states allow teenagers to drive at 16, (up until recently, Mississippi allow them to drive at 15!) unlike Britain where they are not allowed to sit their car driving test until they are 17. As a result there are a lot of serious accidents, many fatal, involving 16 year old drivers. Add to this, the number of huge SUVs like Suburbans, Yukons and Hummers make the chances of being involved in a wreck with one of these monsters fairly high. A lot of responsible parents put their teenagers and college students in Volvos and so there is a big demand for 240s, 850s, S70s etc due to their safety record with some demand for 700 and 900 series cars. Also for older adults, especially those with families, the doubling of the price of fuel over the past few years is making quite a few people go for Volvo wagons (estate cars) as an alternative to gas-guzzling SUVs.
There could be a export possibility for selling European 240s in the USA if they meet the exhaust emission standards. You could sell the right-hand drive ones to rural mail delivery drivers!

Lol! I think it also has something to do with the fact that America is a disposable culture - i.e. most american cars last around 10 years tops where as Volvos are designed to last at least 20 - Over in the EU European motors are way more common so command less premium i guess - I have never paid more than £2000 for a Volvo and all have been amazingly good cars - My Volvo 360 is best - 2 owners 80,000miles and I paid an outrageous £50 for it!!! - I drove it on a 2000 mile european thrash and it took it all in its stride - Did they ever sell the 300 series in the states? I guess it would be seen as a "compact" car over there?

Downside of europe - We never got the 240 turbo :-( but we did get the bosch injected GLT with a high lift cam :thumbsup: