850 vs 240: if you could only keep one, which would it be?

aauser · Post by **aauser** » 11 Jan 2015, 14:40

I still miss my 1990 740GL wagon, only owned it for 14 years, but I like my 2000 XC70 a whole lot better. Much more confortable ride, parts everywhere, OBDII codes, and almost no rust.

ThommyKent · Post by **ThommyKent** » 11 Jan 2015, 19:38

Having both, if the world was going through armageddon the 240. But it`s not so the 850. I think a steady diet of driving nothing but 240 will get old fast.

SUNRG · Post by **SUNRG** » 11 Jan 2015, 21:33

Wow, lots of great feedback. I've invested a LOT in the 850 to get to stage 0. Far far more than it's worth. The 240 on the other hand I got for $650 and, so far, it's been very inexpensive to own & maintain well. The 850 burnt some exhaust valves and that repair alone cost more then the 240 and all maintenance I've done on it to date. But the 850 is everything you all have stated. I will say the 240, despite its lack of power, is surprisingly fun to drive. RWD + really good road manners + crazy tight turning radius = a lot of fun. I do need to do replace the blower motor on the 240, which I hear will take me all day of not a full weekend, but aftermarket parts for the 240 are plentiful and cheap. The 850 is soooo fast by comparison. I'm considering the basic ARD tune for the 850 too which will bring it up to 255hp and 31mpg!

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 11 Jan 2015, 21:34

Last year I sold my '89 240 Wagon, and kept my '99 V70. Loved the 240, and had driven it for years. It was a very very cool old ride. I really liked the ride and feel of the old RWD. It was rock solid, and road-worthy for any trip.

In the end, I decided to keep the newer car that gets better mpg, and has cruise control. I also had a kitschy hipster couple that was willing to give me a heckuva price for the 240.

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jan 2015, 23:16

I agree on the driving experience of 850 v's 240. But if you look at my recent cars list, I would gladly go back to a 240, preferably a turbo. The issue with the 240's is definitely rust, but mechanically much better built in my opinion. They can be made to handle better, and with the help of a couple of sandbags in the trunk they can go most places in snow.

I am rather large, and find the seats of the 240 better for me, although the 850's were good too. Trouble I have had, that for all the FWD/AWD newer Volvos I've owned, the greater the fragility and much higher maintenance cost for the cars as the mileage increases.

So, in summery, if I could find a good 240 turbo (ideally a wagon) with good body, then I'd take it.

Neil.

DanMarino · Post by **DanMarino** » 12 Jan 2015, 08:08

I have a 1992 240 wagon just like your 1993. I also have a 1998 C70 Coupe.
If the 240 is not rusty and everything works, then you should keep that classic on the road as long as possible.
Mine is beginning to rust, so eventually I will have to pull the plug on it.

The 5 cylinder turbo engine on my C70 pulls great and I do love the C70 seats. I could be happy driving my 240 wagon for another 40 years if it didn't rust.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 12 Jan 2015, 16:16

scot850 wrote:I agree on the driving experience of 850 v's 240. But if you look at my recent cars list, I would gladly go back to a 240, preferably a turbo. The issue with the 240's is definitely rust, but mechanically much better built in my opinion. They can be made to handle better, and with the help of a couple of sandbags in the trunk they can go most places in snow.

I am rather large, and find the seats of the 240 better for me, although the 850's were good too. Trouble I have had, that for all the FWD/AWD newer Volvos I've owned, the greater the fragility and much higher maintenance cost for the cars as the mileage increases.

So, in summery, if I could find a good 240 turbo (ideally a wagon) with good body, then I'd take it.

Neil.

Not to quibble, but I don't believe they made a 240 turbo. That was the 740.

I only know this because when I bought my 240, somebody had slapped a turbo on it. It was the correct turbo, and he had done the inter-cooler & all, but failed to change the injectors and the computer. I got about 15 mpg on the road...

I opted for mileage over speed.

By the way, I have a good used turbo for sale. Interested?

SUNRG · Post by **SUNRG** » 12 Jan 2015, 19:31

They did make 240 turbos.

JeffHicks · Post by **JeffHicks** » 13 Jan 2015, 09:53

SUNRG wrote:They did make 240 turbos.

Whoa - I stand corrected. And gladly!

Looks like they had a few 240 turbos in the early 80s?

SUNRG · Post by **SUNRG** » 16 Jan 2015, 06:08

http://youtu.be/SaV381uaNc0

850 vs 240: if you could only keep one, which would it be?

Re: 850 vs 240: if you could only keep one, which would it b