240D wagon versus Camry wagon - pros and cons?

If by 240D you mean Diesel, I would avoid that model like the plague. The Volkswagen D24 inline-6 that it has doesn't have a good reputation for reliability or ease of repair.

On the other hand, if you mean 240 DL, that's a very good car with a well-tested drivetrain, that generally appears to be bullet-proof.

Bev

Yes, sorry, I have my Mercedes 240D on the brain. I did mean the Volvo

240 (DL). Indeed, I've also heard bad things about Volvo car diesel engines, not that they are plentiful in N-A. A dealer I just spoke to said they have an 86 240 sedan that they use as a loaner. It apparently has 988,000 kms on the engine! (they have replaced the timing belt 7 times but apparently not had to do major surgery on the engine). Now THAT is durable!

Comparing Volvo and Toyota wagons, I would expect the Toyota to have the upper hand insofar as the electrics/electronics/instrumentation are concerned. The Volvo seems (from what I read) to require more involvement by the owner (or the owner's mechanic) in keeping things in tune, resolving little problems and idiosyncracies that come up. Toyotas generally will keep going and going with very minimal maintenance. But it's probably safe to say that Volvos will generally outlast Toyotas because of the sheer durability of the engineering design (as long as properly maintained of course, and kept away from rust deterioration).

Cheers,

Bev A. Kupf wrote:

Any car of that age has the potential for electrical problems, and I don't think one has it over another. The fact that the 240's are everywhere on the road means that spares can probalby be had at a wrecker a lot easier.

The 240s have a well-earned reputation for being solid, dependable cars (I am shopping for one right now to serve as a second vehicle behind my '93 960).

Look at it this way- a toyota wag>

The Toyota will have a less fiddly electrical system but the Volvo will win hands down in a crash, is easier to work on, and will keep going and going. Both are good cars in their own ways. With the Volvo you also have the support of this excellent group of mostly quite helpful people, I would guess there's something similar for Toyota but you might wish to take a dip and check them out.

We have an '88 240Dl and a '95 Camry sedan. In most areas except longevity and ruggedness-in-a-crash, the Camry is the better car. The Volvo is nice, but in terms of economy, reliabilty and overall value, I would definitely choose the Camry. It easily gets 27-35MPG average, while the 240 struggles to get 26MPG average, and they are both the same approximate weight & size (body and engine). Both are automatics.

The Volvo also handles a bit better, at least with proper tires, and the seats are more comfortable. The electrical system is definitely worse, as is the fuel system and the A/C. If you want a 'driver's car', consider the Volvo. if you want a 'consumer's car', the Camry is by far the better choice. Ours has 145K miles on it (about the same as the Volvo; neither burns oil), and all we've replaced is the radiator and a couple of small parts. I've actually lost track of all the work done on the 240. It's now the "spare" car. It's tough, it's got character, but it isn't a Commuter's Dream.

Thanks to all for your thoughts on the Volvo vs. Camry wagon issue. You all make excellent points for and against. I think that 240 ownership would sit well with me. I have a garage full of tools and a head full of know-how when it comes to car repairs, so know that I will learn and understand and maintain the Volvo car very well. As long as I can get a very good specimen (no rust, well maintained, good records), I know I'll be allright.

There is a certain appeal to have a "turn the key, drive it and forget it" kind of car (ie. Camry), but in my experience they are not the most awe-inspiring vehicles to drive (used to own a 93 Camry wagon)! I've test driven a couple of very nice mid-90 Camry sedans in recent weeks, some with very low mileage. One can't fault the finish, the interior features, the comfort, etc., but I find them very bland (except maybe the 92-96 models, which are more appealing on the outside). I suppose it's a price to pay for peace of mind and trouble-free driving. Then again, buying a 10+ year old Camry (as some of the Camry wagon specimens I have seen) is fraught with risk too (one needed brake/fuel lines because the ones on there were quite rusty, front shocks, engine mount, the antenna wouldn't go up, the rear wiper didn't work, etc.; however the A/C was nice and cold, the interior was like new).

I've got my eye on what I think is an excellent 240 wagon specimen (90 DL) that has had a lot of parts replaced in the last 18 months (owner is selling regretfully). It's a few hours away from where I live so I have to negotiate a long distance deal but it might prove worth it.

I also own a 1982 Mercedes-Benz diesel sedan (240D) with over 200,000 miles and which I use from Spring to Fall (I'm driving it full time now since selling my 90 Corolla a few weeks ago). So the wagon (VOlvo or Camry - or maybe Subaru as someone recommended me!) would largely be used during the colder weather, as well as for general all around driving in the other seasons, taking the kids and I camping, hauling stuff, etc. I store the MB in the winter, so the Volvo would be my only means of transport during the winter, which is why I wanted to get a sense of how reliable a 15 year old Volvo would be in that case. Sounds like when properly tuned up, and with good winter tires and preventative maintenance, should be no problem.

Thanks aga> We have an '88 240Dl and a '95 Camry sedan. In most areas except

The 240 is a very robust and easy to service vehicle. Get the very best one you can find and enjoy it. One friend of mine has been buying well cared for used ones with 70-100k miles on them and then running 'em to

200-300k before selling em off. Unfortunately, his strategy is starting to fail since the 240 went out of production in '93.

John

Hi all. Checked out a couple of used Volvo wagons tonight. A 740 selling at a dealer for a very cheap price. Body in good condition, interior was decent. Battery was dead so couldn't try it. Then went to see a private deal on a 92 240 wagon. Lady driven, well maintained, interior like new. Almost 200k miles, which I found daunting at first, but it drives very well and has a very good service history, including a lot of repairs in last 2-3 years. I made an offer on it. We'll see what happens. I'm glad I decided to focus on Volvo wagons instead of the Camry's. I do think the vehicle will be very compatible with me. Thanks to all for your thoughts and help.

Best of luck to you!

That is a good sign. It was probably kept in a garage when not in use. Sunlight and other weather is really hard on an automobile.

If you do get it, consider adding IPD anti-sway bars. They vastly improve the handling on a 240 wagon with very little ride deterioration. Well worth the ~$300 IMO.

35&NodeIDI08&RootIDb9 John

Thanks to all for your thoughts and advice. My offer was accepted on a

92 240 Wagon, which was given a clean bill of health by the mechanic, and I'll be taking possession this afternoon. Looking forward to driving/owning a Volvo wagon, and exchanging questions/answers with you over time. Cheers! --Robert p.s. thanks for the recommendation about the IPD anti-sway bars. Sounds like a worthwhile investment for sure.

Can't say for sure, but even if you don't replace the anti-sway bars, think about replacing the bushings on the stock ones with polyurethane. Actually, it's about the same amount of labor, though. But the rubber on the bushings gives up after all the years of getting beaten on and the bars' effectiveness suffers as a result.

The new IPD anti-sway bars come with new urethane bushings. Again I say, well worth the ~$300 cost and an afternoon of simple wrenching. I am not generally into modifications, but uprated anti-sway bars on the

240, 740 and 940 series vehicles is one of the few changes I recommend and have done myself.

John

So they're good on the 740 as well? What'd they do to the ride? My 740 is completely stock other than KYB shocks, I've thought about upgrading the swaybars, wasn't sure how it would effect the ride though and that car is my commuter/cruiser.