Faults:

I have not experienced any failures.

The wagon has minor electrical quirks that do not affect reliability.

A brake warning light flashes when I step on the brakes -- even though the brake system is in excellent condition.

Sometimes the idle is uneven.

Sometimes the automatic transmission overdrive mode light comes on without my activating it.

General Comments:

I purchased my blue 1984 Volvo 245 in December 2012.

The Volvo station wagon has been extremely reliable. It starts and drives smoothly. My expenses have been for the replacement of wear items -- tires, ball joints, strut mounts, and tires.

My station wagon is simple and very easy to work on. Quality parts are abundant and reasonably priced.

Work I have done: removed and cleaned the mass airflow sensor, replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, rotor, and distributor cap; replaced the rear shocks, repaired electrical problems; replaced a rear lens element, changed the differential fluid, and replaced the coolant. I have three Volvo manuals and much experience working on old cars.

I do not recommend an old Volvo for those who lack mechanical skills and tools. You will pay high labor costs for routine maintenance.

My Volvo doesn't have much power. On flat highways, it will cruise at 70 miles per hour. But let a small hill appear and the little B23F engine has a hard time pushing the heavy wagon. My speed will drop commensurate with the steepness of the climb. No big deal -- I once drove underpowered air cooled VW buses.

Right now, I am getting about 20 miles gallon on the highway and about 16 in stop and go driving.

Faults:

I bought the car for 350 bucks. Had no exhaust past the catalytic converter, and as such, was pretty loud. Would not run below 2500rpms either idle or on the road. Leather driver seat was worn pretty badly, but it had a sheepskin cover on it, so it doesn't matter.

Idle issue ended up being a crimped fuel line, 20 second fix.

Exhaust... 35 bucks.

Car had been in an accident, and so the hood, headlights, and driver side were all bent to some degree. Replaced the hood, 10 bucks, straightened out headlight assemblies, replaced turn signal assembly... 5 bucks.

New fuses, rewired rear license plate light.

Rear windshield wiper need to be rewired as well. OD doesn't work, but I think that's because of the relay.

Replaced factory shift knob with a new one. Repaired shift linkage. (Was Very Sloppy)

Windshield wipers are jerky, need to tighten the linkage for them. Windshield needs to be removed, and the rust around it replaced, along with a new gasket. (leaks through windshield seal)

Rear window tint has started to come off on the edges.

Rear seat belts don't pull out easily, or all at once.

Oil leak... somewhere on the intake side of the engine... oil pressure sensor is the suspect.

General Comments:

First and foremost, I would love to see any other car beat me in a race that has 318k miles on it, and still runs like a top. I have maintenance records on this car all the way back to 82k miles, including the original dealer invoice from California.

Most people see a Volvo wagon and say to themselves, that Volvo's are slow. While the auto Volvo's do lack power in acceleration,(so does all the other cars out there with an auto version of a 4-5 speed car) there isn't much that can keep up with a 5 speed. I drove 39 miles home at night from where I bought the car, and was having my friend follow me. He has a 1989 Acura Integra LS Hatch with the DOHC 1.6L. To put it simply, he couldnt keep up with my taillights. It wasn't until I got downtown that he caught up to me.

I got lucky on the interior, as it was still intact including the original Volvo Sound speaker grilles still on the original Speakers. The rear seat and all carpeting looks awesome, and shows little sign on wear.

The exterior of te car didn't fare so well. The top paint was shot, as was the paint on the hood. I replaced the hood so that wasnt an issue anymore. I sanded the top and primered it grey, so it is at least 1 color.

I had a 240 DL sedan with a B21F motor, and 5 speed, but the OD (5th gear) didn't work. It only had 167k miles on it. The interior was all, but missing. I replaced almost everything inside of it. The heater fan needed replacing, and I really didn't want to do that. I ended up selling the car following the purchase of this wagon. It is electrically and mechanically sound, and starts up the first time, every time.

I took it on a trip from Salem Oregon to Seattle WA, and it got 24MPG up with NO overdrive, and 26 MPG on the way home, again with NO overdrive. 60-70 mph for 3 hours solid, at about 3700 rpms, and it held its own perfectly.

For the short time I have had it, I think I finally found the car I have been looking for. Practicality, and comfort, at an affordable price.

I really can't believe that Volvo stopped selling these unbelievably reliable, and comfortable cars. Their new ones are as good if not better, but it is almost impossible to kill one of these things! If you ever have the chance to own one... jump on it, you can't ask too much for one of these Bricks.

~Certified Grease Monkey~