Trade or Sell a Volvo 240 for a Benz?

[JonathanLA]

Maybe against my own best judgement, I am considering selling/trading my 1988 Volvo 240 and purchase a MBZ Diesel. I'm driving a reliable car/tank which has been in the family for 20 years owned by my mother who passed away 3 years ago, and now its my daily driver. I was at the dealer when she bought it and I know what I'm dealing with.

But, I'm all for the cause of owning a diesel and running it on Biodiesel. I just can't get myself to make a move because as I've read on these forums, you don't know what you're getting, and the cost of ownership can be expensive.

With my car, I know that I'll have the occational $300 dollar repair, but all systems are go and its a great car. I don't really have the cash to maintain a problematic Benz. Do I stay with old reliable or make the plundge?

Cars are like women. Some are high maintaince and others are reliable and dependable.

Do any of you have an opinion?

[running-snail]

I think you've answered your own question: stay with what you know.

I wouldn't give up a known car that I liked just to run a different fuel. I suspect you will have trouble getting a decent price for your Volvo, so I would hold onto it until it needs to be replaced, then look into the alternatives.

[reverendxlt]

keep the Volvo, get a benz...run the wheels off the benz for a while till you're comfortable with it's mechanical condition, then sell the Volvo.

[rrgrassi]

Personally, I would go for the Benz, but that is only because I do not care for Volvo. If it's reliable for you, stay with it. I'm not saying Volvo's are bad, I just do not care for them.

My Benz has not been problematic, but there have been issues due to PO's cruddy mechanic and his cutting corners. The Benz is a maintenance hog, but has been very durable and reliable. The Benz is also like a woman, show 'em some love, and they will love you back.

Like any car, how it was taken care of helps to determine it's longevity.

[JonathanLA]

What I find interesting is that my Volvo only has a KBB of about $1500 or less, while a MB 300D in similiar condition are on the market for about $3500.

I understand the MB value. What I don't understand is why my 240 which is arguably one of the most reliable cars ever built is only worth peanuts.

How can such a reliable and durable car be worth so little? I see them everywhere here in so cal along with the classic MBZ's.

[Rashakor]

Do not try to make sense of KBB price values. Most of them are not based on market reality and are just a very low base line for insurance company leverage.

Good example are the 1992 Honda Civic LX and/or 1992 Nissan Sentra XE.
KBB puts them at 500-600 in fair conditions. There is no way in hell you can buy one for that price.

[stcbenz83]

Yea KBB is a load of crap. Dealers basically use it and manipulate it for there advantage. However The Volvo 240 compared to the 300D is like comparing a a Volvo 240 to a Volvo 740 (i believe is the number) The 300D i would compare to a 740 and thats were i belive the 240 falls short on value. However Volvos due last a very long time and like others have said before. stick with what you know and trust

[JimmyL]

I was actually looking for a Volvo wagon when I happened upon my first Benz, an '80 wagon. I had an '83 Volvo GL wagon back in the mid 80's and really liked it, although it was amazingly slow.
First off, both are great cars, reliable and safe. The fact that you have a history with the Volvo, and it was your mom's, I would keep that car forever. It isn't worth that much to sell, but I bet it is worth alot to you.
You can always bide your time and buy a cheaper Benz when the time is right. It is popular to say "nothing is an expensive as a cheap Benz", but that doesn't always apply of course. Nothing has been less expensive than my cheap Benz!!!!!
Luck of the draw.....
Keep the Volvo!

[Jim B.]

Speaking as the past owner of a Volvo 740 concurrently with a Mercedes, in a way the comparison is like chalk and cheese.

Each has quirks, and each has huge virtues. (I'm assuming you are thinking about the W123 Mercedes diesels)

The Volvo 240 sedans were pretty expensive when new, your mother probably paid well over $17,000 when new, and the first models came out in the guise of the 1968 140 series, so they were well sorted by 1988, and with the proven B230F engine, star trek mileage was easily and frequently and unremarkably obtained on them. Like Mercedes, they too have high mileage badges, given if I recall at 100,000, 300,000 and 500,000 miles. You have probably heard of Irv Gordon, the original owner of a 1966 red P1800 car with about 3,000,000 miles on it, the highest mileage car in the world, in the Guiness book of world records.

They have a tight turning radius, sip regular gas, are comfortable, have excellent visibility, are ultra safe, very well built and ultra long lasting.
The fact that in spite of all this, the used car market does not recognize their essential goodness and worth should be of no concern to you.
You have the additional plus of a known history from new on the car, and the possible sentimental value attached to it as a family owned car.

The W123 series Mercedes Diesel is a wonderful car, good looking, comfortable, safe, economical, easy to repair, durable, well built, long lasting, and with an enthusiast following, so normally, I'd recommend them without hesitation to anyone.

But in your set of circumstances, you have the ONE car out there that would be worth keeping for its own merits, doing so secure in the knowledge you know exactly what the car you have has behind it from mile zero.

If you have your heart set on a Benz diesel, then definately seek out and buy one in excellent condition.

If not, then recognize what you have and hang on to it for as long as you can.

PS: In case you
missed it, there is a good Volvo v Honda thread going on below in the OD section, below, with comments galore about the 240 and 740 Volvo that might give you a bit more perspective on the big Volvo.

[tenknots]

I have a Volvo 240 and a couple of Benzes. The Volvo feels like the shocks are full of concrete - It is not comfortble, especially hopping from the Volvo to the 300D. No comparison for comfort. But the Volvo has loads of power and starts the same at -10 as it does at 95. Well engineered, but if you drive a similar year Benz, you'll see why they cost twice as much when new.

I prefer working on the MB, but the Volvo is not hard (well, consider the climate control fan replacement on each - 20 minutes for the MB and all day for the Volvo). If you know the Volvo and like it, stick with it. But if you make the jump to the MB, you have a great resource on this forum.

By the way, my daughter is graduating from college and is buying a Volvo 240. If the 300D came as a manual, I'm sure she'd prefer that.

[tarbe]

I have more experience with the Volvo 240...about 500,000 miles on three different cars (85, 86 and 87 with 270,000 on the 87).

No question in my mind the Benz is a much finer car, but history is worth so much when it comes to the older cars.

I would not dump an old Volvo I know and trust for an old Benz I do not know.


Tim

[barry123400]

Cars are like women. Some are high maintaince and others are reliable and dependable.

Do any of you have an opinion?[/QUOTE]
Having been driven by both I preffer the reliable and dependable models.

[Quinn8it]

I sold my 2003 mini to get a 1984 300D. I did it for the Alt. fuel. I wanted to run VO because I have a supply and thought it was a good choice politicaly and environmentaly. In return I got a car that I love and a new hobby that is very rewarding, learning about these cars and working on them has re-ignited a spark I havent had since my CJ-5 days in high school. Get the Benz! read the forum! You will be happy!

[babymog]

Interesting timing.

I just missed an '85 740 diesel/stickshift that sold last night, ... for $1200. It would have made an interesting driver. VW diesel I believe, 6cyl.

Personally though, I think that the 240/DL/GL/GLT was the most durable and recognizable Volvo, the 740/760 less Volvo, now the FWD Dutch stuff is hardly Volvo at all, ...

When I sold Volvos, we had a test-drive route that was a 40mph road that ended, we just kept driving and talking to the prospects in the car, at 40mph, onto and down the badly rutted 2-track that led from the end of the road to the next road over. It often sold the car as people were amazed at how much travel and control the suspension had on that terrain, you could feel the solid chassis under you. People found a firm grip on the "chicken handles" as you quickly approached the end of the pavement LOL.

The GLT rocked also, a well-designed turbo engine for early '80s. I believe that our '85 DL was around $12k well equipped, the same price as a Jetta GLi.