PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Might be purchasing a Volvo 240, advice needed

RML · #4 07-31-2008, 07:40 PM

I had an 86 740 GLE. It was a good solid car that I had for about 10 years. I sold it about two years ago because the repairs were going to cost way more than the car was worth. A new exhaust system was going to be around $800. The trailer arm was rusted out. The A/C was not working but may have just needed a charge. I had just put a new heater core in myself to get through the winter. The core was only around $100 but it was about an 11 hour job for an experienced mechanic. For me it was longer.

I would ask the following questions:

1) Has the A/C evaporator been replaced? If not, assume it will need to be soon. It is under the dash and expensive in labor to fix. (I am assuming this is the same as the other mid 90's Volvos. They are notorious for this problem.)

2) Has the heater core been replaced at any time? Probably not and you may have a few years to go on that.

Between the $900 front end work and figure $800 or more for exhaust system, you are looking at $1,700 on top of what you pay for it. Compare that to what they are going for on EBay or cars.com or vehix.com. Oh, and add $150 for new front tires and maybe more for rear shocks.

I would be looking to get this car dirt cheap if I was buying it and would have to sink another $1,700 into it. Like maybe $200.

I used to go to www.thevolvosite.com for parts. They are still out there and have some information about used car pricing. Find a volvo forum and ask some questions. I can't recall the forum I went to but there are some good ones out there. Google: "Volvo forum" and you should come up with something.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.