Dealer’s Diary
Valued Volvos
One family of cars that’s definitely shot-up in value over the past few years is the big RWD Volvo estate cars. While it’s the classic ‘Lego brick’ 240 that’s seen the biggest increases, the 740 and 940 have also gone up significantly. In many ways the latter are better everyday prospects; broadly the same last for ever mechanical layout, but better handling and an even bigger and more useable loadspace – seats up or down!
Unless you’re extremely lucky, the days of picking-up any of these cars in running/roadworthy condition for under £500 have gone; good ones are now advertised for five times that!
The market – and it’s a strong one – is for people who are interested in cars but have no interest whatsoever in being the first to own the latest. Rather, they want something tough and durable which will last them a long time.
They also want – and this is where pretty-much the whole 240/740/940 range really scores – something they can look after themselves. These days there aren’t many cars that can be used daily as everyday transport and also maintained entirely at home using screwdrivers, spanners and sockets. Yet, these Volvos can. Then add into the mix a ready supply of competitively-priced parts, and you’ve got a winner.
The only one to perhaps avoid in all this is the six-cylinder 760/960 – these engines are considered weak and overcomplex
