My twopennath is based on experience over the years AND having to carry out repairs economically since being made redundant.
My 2.3 4-speed estate 240 was enthusiast-owned when I bought it, at over 200k miles on the clock. Apart from having to rebuild the carb and change that wretched coil pack I did nothing to it in over 6 years - until the clutch went at over 270k miles.
My 2.3 740 auto estate was also enthusiast owned (only recently returned to me now he has a V70), and was a far more comfortable ride over the 240, but plagued with electrical problems. The speedo and fuel gauge have been intermittent and it had a nasty habit of cutting out whilst cruising - alarming when an auto, meaning a quick turnoff, flick to neutral and try the key again, all whilst moving fairly fast! Neither have been resolved by a specialist yet...
Parts availability for 240s is far easier around here than for 740s, and any basic d-i-yer can maintain the 240: mine were just everyday transports so if that matters to you I'd seriously look into such things. Comfort shouldn't come into considering ones everyday transport - economy (or lack of it!) is about the same so look at spares-availability and your local garage being happy working on one over the other.
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