Anyone know much about Volvos

[Rob]

.....and yes, the parody thread titles are already spinning through my head as I create this one.

Anyway, found a car that sounds like a pretty good deal for teaching my wife to drive. Just want to get something that will last a little while for her and safe at the same time.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5212976580.html

Are these 240s as reliable as the guy states?

[JRD77VET]

Although a Volvo is a good car, it may not be the perfect "learn to drive car" due to the crumble zones. It may dent easily in a minor oops.

The are pretty much bulletproof as written.

[Bill]

My good friend from HS had parents that drove and drive nothing but Volvos. They would drive them all 300,0000 miles minimum, then give them away or trade them on new ones. Yes, I think they had a 240 or two. I know my friend had a 740 that he rode hard and put away wet, and it was still going. Volvos are not 100,000 mile cars, especially if they are maintained reasonably well.

[lspencer534]

No, they aren't. It all depends on how lucky you get. M wife drove a 1994 940 wagon for 195K with no problems. But her 2005 XC90 had an engine and transmission failure at 150K. Plus, they're very expensive to repair. I would never buy such an old Volvo as is in the ad.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Although a Volvo is a good car, it may not be the perfect "learn to drive car" due to the crumble zones. It may dent easily in a minor oops. The are pretty much bulletproof as written.

I have always heard they are very safe and remember many of my friends growing up always had their parents old Volvos as their first cars.

I know she is going to crash it into something or someone but number one is keeping her and our kids safe.

[Millenium Vette]

It's probably as reliable as any 33 year old car is going to be. Don't buy it for reliability, buy it because it is funky as all-get-out. I have a friend who had a the same car but it was a turbo couple with a 5 speed back in the day. It was reliable, but it was also new.

[OddBall]

get her one of these

[RonC5]

My son wanted one. We ended up with a 2 owner, dealer maintained, 60K mile 850 non turbo. Every visit to our independent Volvo, at 2x per year, resulted in a $500 plus visit. We spent 60% of the purchase price in repairs for the 4 years we had the car. I will never, ever, under any circumstances own a European car without a warranty again.

[polarbear]

Everything you wanted to know about early square Volvo's.

SwedishBricks Home Page

Understand there were really three types of Volvo's. The early, square "swedish brick" variety. Safe, heavy, mechanically simple. Not bombproof, but close to it.

The FWD square Volvo's- 850's, etc. Same basic look, but FWD and much higher repair and maintenance bills. They lasted a pretty long while, but cost more money to get there.

Later "rounded" versions. Volvo transitioned from basic, durable, and safe to stylish, technologically advanced luxury cars. European Luxury cars- which means gigantic potential repair bills along the way.

Find a 140/240/740/940/960 that isn't used up and enjoy. Otherwise- pass.

[Entropy]

Pretty sure Scoob picked one up cheap for the same reasons you have. He had a good local mechanic which kept repair prices to a minimum.

They seem to hold value, but are definitely niche.

[island14]

but number one is keeping her and our kids safe.

Something you want to share with the class?

[island14]

For a beginner car I would stick with something cheap, and parts that are easy to find at the salvage yards.

Something like a little Chevy Blaiser or an Astro Van.

I have had both and they are cheap on gas and fun to drive.

Anything real big like a full size Van or Truck becomes more intimidating for her to learn with as it is harder to move around and park.

If it gets crashed, you can either fix it or dispose of it, and still pretty safe.

After a year or so of driving then step into something a little nicer.

I'm thinking Volvo parts would be harder to find and more expensive..

Just my 2 peso thoughts...

[RonC5]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Everything you wanted to know about early square Volvo's.

SwedishBricks Home Page

Understand there were really three types of Volvo's. The early, square "swedish brick" variety. Safe, heavy, mechanically simple. Not bombproof, but close to it.

The FWD square Volvo's- 850's, etc. Same basic look, but FWD and much higher repair and maintenance bills. They lasted a pretty long while, but cost more money to get there.

Later "rounded" versions. Volvo transitioned from basic, durable, and safe to stylish, technologically advanced luxury cars. European Luxury cars- which means gigantic potential repair bills along the way.

Find a 140/240/740/940/960 that isn't used up and enjoy. Otherwise- pass.

Very well put. Much truth here.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Everything you wanted to know about early square Volvo's. SwedishBricks Home Page Understand there were really three types of Volvo's. The early, square "swedish brick" variety. Safe, heavy, mechanically simple. Not bombproof, but close to it. The FWD square Volvo's- 850's, etc. Same basic look, but FWD and much higher repair and maintenance bills. They lasted a pretty long while, but cost more money to get there. Later "rounded" versions. Volvo transitioned from basic, durable, and safe to stylish, technologically advanced luxury cars. European Luxury cars- which means gigantic potential repair bills along the way. Find a 140/240/740/940/960 that isn't used up and enjoy. Otherwise- pass.

Excellent. Thank you. I know this guy selling the car and might still talk to him about it.

Also, been looking at buying a Polaris RZR and making it street legal for her to run around the neighborhood on. She has made some friends here and would be easy for her to use for running around while she learns to drive.

[mrvette]

Some 30 years ago, my over smug PHD brother in law, Psychologist thought he was SO smart, he bought a used Volvo, I want to say 240, and so it looked ok and drove ok, but one day something happened, causing him to put it on a lift, and the guy showed him that was a sea of very deep rust, total structural failure, even the floorboards had holes in them....this was on Long Island


so I would pass 30 years later,,....expect anything better??

[Admiral Blue]

I know that our 2002 S60 has been very dependable for the last 80,000 miles or so--we have around 133,000 on it now. But, service transmission light is on and it got stuck in 3rd gear a couple of times, so it might need a rebuild on the trans.

[Frizzle]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Everything you wanted to know about early square Volvo's.

SwedishBricks Home Page

Understand there were really three types of Volvo's. The early, square "swedish brick" variety. Safe, heavy, mechanically simple. Not bombproof, but close to it.

The FWD square Volvo's- 850's, etc. Same basic look, but FWD and much higher repair and maintenance bills. They lasted a pretty long while, but cost more money to get there.

Later "rounded" versions. Volvo transitioned from basic, durable, and safe to stylish, technologically advanced luxury cars. European Luxury cars- which means gigantic potential repair bills along the way.

Find a 140/240/740/940/960 that isn't used up and enjoy. Otherwise- pass.

Bingo...

I wouldn't buy a new volvo. Chinese owned, and after seeing my parents go through a lot of expensive repairs with their 04 S60 they were not consumer savy and bought a V60. Lots of neat gadgets but when this car is over 5 years old, for get it.

[RonC5]

Almost forgot, they don't write songs about them.

Corvette Art Poster - They dont write songs about Volvos. - ChevyMall

[Rob]

Originally Posted by RonC5

Almost forgot, they don't write songs about them.

Corvette Art Poster - They dont write songs about Volvos. - ChevyMall

Thanks Ron, that sold me right there.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by Dixievet

Excellent. Thank you. I know this guy selling the car and might still talk to him about it.

Also, been looking at buying a Polaris RZR and making it street legal for her to run around the neighborhood on. She has made some friends here and would be easy for her to use for running around while she learns to drive.

I happen to be a huge fan of the swedish bricks. The Bear family has owned three of them- a '71 142, a '73 164, and a '86 245GL Wagon. The 142 is still pedalling around Olympia, Wa with well over 500K miles on the clock.

1. Because Volvo subcontracted most of the major systems to outside suppliers, there's a healthy and inexpensive aftermarket supply chain.

2. They're easy to work on, The engine bay of a 240 looks like it was designed for a big-block V8 (a LS1 fits nicely). Net result- you can almost climb in there with the inline 4. Who else puts in an access door from the passenger floorboard to the heater core?

3. Because they changed by generation, not model year, wrecking yards offer a ready supply of parts.

I think Portland has cornered the market on older used Volvos. Our low-rust environment has something to do with it, I'm sure.

portland cars & trucks - craigslist