Got a kid ready to go to college? Need a commuter for around town? We have just the car for you, and not only will its reputation for safety and reliability impress you, it’s creeping up on “cool” status. The Volvo 200 series was lunched in 1974, with safety top of mind. New, large crumple zones contributed to a more angular, boxy appearance than its predecessor, the 140. This example is a one owner car from near the end of production, after more than 2.8 million had been sold. Listed here on eBay, it’s bid to only $1783. Drive it home from Miller Place, New York.
The famous “redblock” four-cylinder engine is almost impossible to kill. Displacement crept up from 2.1 liters to 2.3 by 1983, where it remained unchanged until the last 240 rolled out of the factory. Output is only about 114 hp, but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in longevity: half-million-mile Volvo 240s are practically a dime a dozen. A four-speed automatic gearbox brings the power to the rear wheels. And while a manual was available, if you’re going to drive a brick, it might as well be an auto. (That said, my own creamy blue 244 was a manual.) The seller notes that this car has had regular service from the same shop for years, and recently benefited from refreshed brakes a new thermostat and a new water pump. The front lower ball joints were also replaced.
This car has traveled 111,000 miles, so aging cosmetics are to be expected. The carpets are dirty, the plastic is faded. But the dash remains unblemished and the seat upholstery looks decent. Those rear seats are show-worthy! We note that the passenger’s side exterior door trim is missing, and the front lamp lenses are fogged. Given the mileage, we could expect worse. Volvo touted the boxy design as good for maximizing interior and trunk space – but today that T-square look is generating interest among a whole new generation of collectors.
So how can it be hip to be square? Check out Hagerty’s top ten for 2022, where among the GTOs, Dinos and 968s is found the lowly Volvo 245. Ok, the wagon might edge out the sedan on the “cool” list, but still. Here’s a guy on Reddit hankering after a 240 to use as a daily. And if you aren’t convinced, check out this video. A buzz around the 240 is emerging. Are we gonna wake up some day to find the 240 out of pocket-book reach? What do you think?
I remember in the days of my youth (cue Led Zeppelin) living in my first apartment in a hipster neighborhood Volvos were everywhere it seemed, older than this one and boxier. They really looked like bricks. I laughed but now I would snatch this one up for the right price. RWD means good snow tires or chains even around here.
I had a 92 Wagon in Silver with auto. Loved the car. Even at car shows young kids came up to it and asked to buy it planning on new exhaust and wheels plus tinting the windows dark. I kept it until about 215K and donated it. Still ran great but need a million small repairs. Amazed at the snow covered hills it could climb.
So rather than letting a kid have it as a project car, you sent it off to get scrapped after the highest bidder inevitably turned out to be a salvage yard. Brilliant.
Is that engine interference?
No, none were except for the Turbos, I believe.
Barely broken in at 111k! How does it run after sitting 4 years? Any fuel system components replaced? As for these becoming expensive collectibles, well I submit there are too many left for that to happen soon (excepting the Bertone coupes) but I’ve been wrong before. Still a great buy for anyone looking for the dependability of a “brick”. : ^ )
Looks good to me. It is close to home any rust. I owned 3 of these volvo’s overt the years.
Looks good to me. It is close to home any rust. I owned 3 of these volvo’s over the years.
Huey Lewis would be proud. Just lost a close friend who ran a Volvo shop and service business. He and I got together many times to build race cars or race car parts. They even put one of these on the race track along with an 1800ES and really did well. Tough cars.
I really like these and I wish I was in the market for one right now. On top of having a tremendous life expectancy from ’88 through ’92 these had zero fatalities and were rated as the safest car in the US in ’94. Works for me!
That does look like a nice example. I have owned 5 Volvo’s A 240 like this one, 740 Wagon (fav) 2 760 sedans and a 780 Bertone. they were all great cars that left me for one reason or another. I might just have to look into this one for old time’s sake.
Geez RFD960, dial it back a little.