Faults:

My steering pulls to the left A LOT!

The engine mounts are completely worn out, the engine shakes A LOT!

My alternator burnt out a couple of months ago leaving me stranded for the first time. Replaced it with a $30 second-hand alternater from the wreckers.

My suspension is completely shot - noisy and overly soft creating a slightly uncomfortable ride.

Power steering leak.

Dash lights seem to go easily as they are always on, but you can dim them to save the bulbs.

It has dents all along left hand side form the previous old lady owner.

Interior light doesn't always come on.

Interior fan is getting increasingly louder the more I use it.

General Comments:

I bought a 244GL about 6 months ago for $500 (Australian Dollars). Still going at over 320,000km's.

It is cheap and easy to fix, even for a beginner like me.

This car accelerates much better than my old '75 corolla (2 speed) and it is also much thirstier than the corolla.

I love the roar of the engine when accelerating hard.

The seats are extremely comfortable, you can drive for hours without getting numb legs.

It's a solid tank, it feels very safe and people always move out the way for a Volvo driver.

My friends hate the car, they're embarrassed to be seen in it.

I love my Volvo, but its gonna have to go soon, its seen better days and it has about 320,000km's on the clock (350,000 if you take notice of the second dash cluster I put in it).

Faults:

Needed to replace headlight reflector to register it which cost $77 from wrecker; could do with both though.

Needed to replace one retracting safety belt to register it which cost $44 from wrecker; all could be replaced.

Needed to replace brake an clutch pedal rubbers to register it which cost $10 from a wrecker.

General Comments:

The car is fantastic for what I paid for it, $611 on E-bay.

Good points are;

1) It's economical. It would be harder to get more miles for your dollar than this. In 11/2004 cost $10 Sydney to Newcastle.

2) It's extremely hardy, (still not rusting after 23 years)!

3) Maintenance can be done by a novice like me.

4) Its not sluggish; easily faster than 10 years younger cars.

5) Parts are easy to get cheap.

6) For all, but the vain; it has that rugged masculine look.

7) The best turning circle of any car I've driven. It makes reverse parking a dream.

Bad Points are;

1) Many in Australia will comment "??? Volvo driver" as a joke.

2) Rugged masculine sometimes looks boxy.

3) Body roll; these models always felt like they rolled in corners. But strangely *they hold on*!

4) The model will always have that weird knock on releasing the clutch (it's a 244 trait).

Generally there is a little more to do to make the car very acceptable; it needs engine mounts, possibly transmission mounts and an overdrive service. The model feels like it needs power steering and air-conditioning.

Faults:

Have had this car 17 years and the only significant part replaced was the fuel pump. Just normal exhaust, brakes & tyres.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable car I could imagine. It has been driven every day commuting and also on a very long trip about 5000km and never has missed a beat. Not well serviced these days and fuel economy has dropped off.