Volvo 240 Estate 60K Miles LPG Conversion

[Angie]

I agree with the two previous posts. Whilst £4,000 might seem a lot for a car of that age, what could you buy now that would last as long, be as much pleasure to drive, and as economical to maintain? I suspect that's why some classics, Morris Minors for instance, often fetch prices as high as their modern equivalents; it's because they are for all practical purposes better than their modern equivalents - and will if maintained well and driven sensibly probably continue to increase in value. My Moggie Traveller, MoT failure but with quite a lot of improvements for today's traffic conditions, was retored at some expense and a lot of time by its new owners but is now in daily use (by their son, who loves it!) nearly fifty years after it came off the production line. That car owed me nothing, in fact I got a decent price for it as a project.

I suspect a good 240, and the advertised one seems remarkably good, will be a useable means of transport for many years to come, and therefore very good value for money.

Sorry to have rambled on but I feel very strongly about the desire for buying new, usually for no good reason other than wanting a few more bells and whistles, and the adverse impact that attitude has on the environment.

[heckflosse]

Originally Posted by Angie

I agree with the two previous posts. Whilst £4,000 might seem a lot for a car of that age, what could you buy now that would last as long, be as much pleasure to drive, and as economical to maintain? I suspect that's why some classics, Morris Minors for instance, often fetch prices as high as their modern equivalents; it's because they are for all practical purposes better than their modern equivalents - and will if maintained well and driven sensibly probably continue to increase in value. My Moggie Traveller, MoT failure but with quite a lot of improvements for today's traffic conditions, was retored at some expense and a lot of time by its new owners but is now in daily use (by their son, who loves it!) nearly fifty years after it came off the production line. That car owed me nothing, in fact I got a decent price for it as a project.

I suspect a good 240, and the advertised one seems remarkably good, will be a useable means of transport for many years to come, and therefore very good value for money.

Sorry to have rambled on but I feel very strongly about the desire for buying new, usually for no good reason other than wanting a few more bells and whistles, and the adverse impact that attitude has on the environment.

You are spot on right.

A neighbour is facing a whopping bill to get their V50 diesel thingy running again.
I suspect in five years time that will be culled in some wasteful scrappage scheme. Perversely, it is the green pressure lobby that encourages this sort of behaviour.
So, if you can afford the price asked by the gentleman advertising his 240, judge it for yourself.
£4000 wouldn't buy you a lovely MK1 Granada estate these days, for sure.

[Prufrock]

There is a small minority of so-called enthusiasts who still think nice cars should be had for small change. Some can see a rather more compelling proposition - that classic Volvos in lovely condition and with low ownership are rare beasts indeed (whether they are 200s, 700s or 900s), these cars are unique and cannot and should not be compared to other more lowly examples.

This car seems to me great value if you want a superb low miles, low ownership 240: a car that will not depreciate and will cost little to maintain properly - ok, it may even be a little overpriced* today, but it may not be in one or two year's time...you need to think of a long term relationship with these cars.

Finally, if I was looking for a classic RWD Volvo, and I'd want a really nice one, I'd be viewing this car.

Jon
700/900 Register Keeper VOC.

*I'm not saying it is, just trying to help those that think it is or might be to think differently.

[Antz]

Would you pay £1.50 for a Mars bar today just because they might cost that in a few years time, even though you can get them elsewhere for 75p right now?

Of course not.

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

There was a mint 240 saloon sold for 3500 recently, so who knows.....

[ladyvolvo]

Thank you to those who have defended the price I have set for our car. I know that my expectations are high but I am pleased to hear that some members can appreciate such a car. She is a lovely example who will serve whoever has her in the future for many years to come.

Yes she has the correct LPG tank which is fitted in the spare wheel well and is fully certified and registered as dual fuel. She runs perfectly even on a frosty cold morning like this morning. Today we drove from Bath to Manchester and back at 70mph, other than horrendous traffic at rush hour around Birmingham, and she did 28.7mpg on Propane. It cost me less than £40 for near 450 miles. She runs beautifully and has been future proofed by mine and the 2 previous owners dilgent care and huge amounts of maintenance expenditure (around £13k in invoices present - almost all of which are standard Volvo services and the early ones were only just over £100 for a small service).

I do realise that this car is no longer original, however she is clean running, efficient, 100% corrosion-free and protected for the future, very economical and totally reliable. I am sure someone will appreciate her for the gem that she is.

[ladyvolvo]

N.B: the mileage is now 61k and whilst I am in no rush to sell I do like to negotiate. Oh and I forgot to mention she had a replacement clutch and exhaust last year (from manifold back).

[Stephen Edwin]

I'm glad to see all views getting expressed now.

I have been known to be a self professed Victor Meldrew In Training re highish prices. But that was for a rather different kettle of fish price.

I have more respect for this possibly a bit high price which appears to be for a looked after car lacking "question marks" over it.

Whatever less amount mine is worth, it is at least old enough to be probably going up in value. I like that. And I am taking the, look after it carefully, good parts mainly Volvo parts, &c. approach too.

Good luck with the sale.

*****

Originally Posted by Antz

Would you pay £1.50 for a Mars bar today just because they might cost that in a few years time, even though you can get them elsewhere for 75p right now?

Of course not.

Only if it is very nicely deep fried.

Anyway that Volvo is not available elsewhere ...

... and it depends what one buyer considers to be what they are looking for and are willing to pay. Carefully maintained, occasional long runs to get the techie bits like oil and exhaust system that I don't understand properly heated up &c., LPG conversion already done and working well, hopefully no niggling neglected faults that add up to so much ......

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by ladyvolvo

Thank you to those who have defended the price I have set for our car. I know that my expectations are high but I am pleased to hear that some members can appreciate such a car.

A lot of Volvo enthusiasts in here. It's just that you need an enthusiast that not only appreciates the car, but has and is willing to part with 4k for it..

Regards

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by volvorocks

A lot of Volvo enthusiasts in here. It's just that you need an enthusiast that not only appreciates the car, but has and is willing to part with 4k for it..

Regards

That is indeed true 'volvorocks', but it should not affect the price of this, or any other, motorcar. It could, however, mean that the seller may have to wait longer for a sale than they otherwise would, had they offered it more cheaply, until a buyer meeting those criteria came forward.

Although we personally have seldom spent more than £2000 on a car, including our '99 Saab Convertible bought earlier this year, I recognise that £4000 is not a lot of money to spend on a car these days - always assuming that, as you say, one can afford it.

There are those elsewhere in these forums who own vehicles costing £20K, £30K, plus. That is their choice, and, again, if they can afford it, a perfectly reasonable one. They may well feel that £4k is a relatively modest amount to spend on a car - everything is relative.

Regards, John.