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Volvo 240 Owner Ratings & Reviews

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1981 Volvo 240 -

SC
Redondo Beach, California
Overall
3.0
Value
4.0
Performance
2.0
Style
2.0
Comfort
3.0
Fuel Economy
3.0
Reliability
5.0
I purchased a used Volvo 240DL from a dealer in Venice, Ca. This car was to provide transportation for my new family. The model is unaffectionately referred to as a refrigerator on wheels, alluding to it's rectangular shape. This particular model was beige, had a working stereo and 140,000 miles. The transmission was a four speed. The car drove very well. The car was very safe. Even given its age, our 4 cylinder model still got around 20MPG average (city and highway). The comfort and accessories were nothing to write home about, but the seat belts worked, and despite a couple of cracks the dash still held together well.
Story
At one point, I was driving my son to daycare during a rainstorm and a car skidded into my rear bumper. While the entire front end of his vehicle was crushed, my bumper barely had a scuff mark on it. My son and I still laugh in amazement over how safe our Volvo was.
Pros
Volvo has built a solid reputation on safety. This lower cost 240DL model was no exception. This car was solid and held up well in rainy weather fender benders, which were it not for the reinforced bumpers, could have ended very differently than they had -- not so much as a small dent and no injuries to the passengers. The clutch cable broke at one point and I was still able to pop into first from a dead start using the starter only and I kept the car drive-able, avoiding an expensive towing service.
Cons
The stereo sound really wasn't very great and the cloth seats were not the most comfortable. The design of the car leaves much to be desired. The sunroof was manual and was showing signs of rust and leaked around the weather stripping in wet weather.

1980 Volvo 240 - Best car available

JP
Washington, District of Columbia
Overall
5.0
Value
5.0
Performance
3.0
Style
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Fuel Economy
3.0
Reliability
4.0
This is the best, most functional car on the market. The standard Volvo 240 has ample space for five passengers. Some models have the available jump seats in the rear, behind the rear seat. The best part about this car is that the rear seat folds flat. Now this is not like the fold flat offered in cars where the seat is near flat, but it is flat. Real flat. This car is a truck from the Swedes. The seats are comfortable and plush for long distances. The controls are well laid out and easy to use. Downside is the aged drive train which uses more fuel than the average new car. Average fuel economy is about 17 miles per gallon.
Story
Excellent for running around town, though the four speed needs some help working up a hill from a dead stop. Plenty of time I had to change my route.
Pros
True fold flat seats. Great visibility. Excellent safety record.
Cons
Low fuel economy. Cost of repairs.

1985 Volvo 240 - One of the most reliable cars still out there

Charles
Pharr, Texas
Overall
5.0
Value
5.0
Performance
3.0
Style
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Fuel Economy
4.0
Reliability
5.0
The vehicle had been sitting in the seller's yard for over a year without being started. After a few tries, the engine turned over and needed very little work to become road ready. It has class and style and, most important to me, hardly anyone on the road has one. So when people see my vehicle, they know it is mine. Usually, if there is another one on the road, it is of a different year, and/or color, so it is easy to identify other owners. On top of that, other owners of Volvos usually have positive experiences. I've even ran into one owner in her forties that said she's had the car her whole life and wants to be buried in it. Personally the only negative I have for it right now is that the AC in it doesn't work, and on the coldest days of the year, it struggles to start. Fortunately... (more)
Story
I kind of already mentioned it, but one day I took a sick day off from work and went to the library and the next day everyone at work knew I had been at the library, even though the library isn't on a main road or I didn't see anyone there. One person saw my vehicle and then it spread. It is nice to be recognized, but it is also nice to just take a day off for once too.
Pros
I'm sure if I sat here and thought about it I could go on and on about the pros of the vehicle. For me that biggest pro is how unique it is. Most people are unaware of how dependable Volvos are. Its upkeep is very easy, and it has its own cult like following, so if you ever run into one owner, you're bound to find a group on social media where they get together from time to time and ride around, almost like nerdy bikers. It's big enough for a family or a group of friends to go on a road trip and if one likes to spend the night out in nature, then it is easy to cart along all the material n... (more)
Cons
This is really just my vehicle. Before I purchased it, someone had lowered the body, so the spead bumps are always cringe worthy in parking lots. It bottoms out regularly, though I've been told the fix would be easy, I just haven't gotten around to it. Also, in my vehicle the AC isn't working, as a lot of cars as old as this one are prone to have happen to them. I have a friend who is willing to work on it, and feels it is just a simple leak that can be fixed and then filled with freon, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. It also makes it hard to just ride around town inconspicuously.... (more)