Mike Canfield wrote:
The Volvo 240 series are a GREAT car! The later models(86-89) had MUCH
better fuel injection than the earlier models. They are IMHO as solid and
probably the only car safer than a MBZ W123 240D. They handle very well,
hold up to abuse even better and keep you alive in a crash the best. I had
a Ford Ranger pull out in front of my 82 240 wagon......TOTALLED the Ranger
when I hit his passenger front fender, bent the frame and mangled the whole
front end........I flat towed the Volvo home because when I started it back
up to move it out of the road the fan punched a hole in the radiator! It
still tracked straight as an arrow when I let go of the wheel at 50. Got an
89 after that and nicknamed it the 12 ga. Volvo after killing 3 deer with
it.....Replaced a couple headlights and straightened out the bent metal all
3 times and kept right on driving......One of them was a 175 pound doe that
I hit at 45MPH. Didn't even see her coming. EVERY time I drove back home.
They are extremely easy to work on....Brake pads, while only slightly larger
than a postage stamp, are a breeze and take a total of 15 minutes per side.
Nothing else ever seems to need much work but I would compare them with the
W123 as far as easy to maintain....Maybe even a bit easier.
The ride in a new mid '80s 240DL vs a Mercedes 123 was inferior. The
Mercedes was superior to the Volvo in ride, handling and in retrospect
somewhat better longevity. The Volvo was cheaper and a good value for
the money and ALMOST equally safe.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth Ph.D.
Ass't Prof. (ret.)
Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
