Turbocharged 5-Speed: 1990 Volvo 240 Wagon – SOLD!

August 3, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The Volvo 240 is a fascinating collector car, a model that should seemingly be at the bottom of every collector’s list but manages to rise to the top 10 of most European project car rankings for any number of reasons. From its charming personality to the very respectable performance of the turbocharged models, examples like this 1990 240 Turbo Wagon originally listed in July 2021 on Craigslist in Hampton, New Hampshire are typically quick to sell to a die-hard Volvo enthusiast or rad-era fanatic. The seller is asking $3,000, and comparing this against the NADA Price Guide confirms this private seller has priced his 240 Turbo fairly, with a “High Retail” model punching in at $3,100. If you are serious about buying this long roof Volvo, you can start the conversation by emailing the seller here.  When you do, please remember to mention you saw his wagon featured here on GuysWithRides.com.

In terms of the opinion that a 240 should be at the bottom of a car enthusiast’s bucket list, here me out: it’s not particularly fast, in naturally aspirated form; it’s heavy, owing to its emphasis on safety; it’s hardly aerodynamic and thus deserving of its moniker of being a brick; and given how many 240s Volvo sold, it’s hardly a rare car. That said, it’s the practicality and the classic European driving dynamics that make it a fan favorite, especially in wagon form. The long roof version of the 240 took an already practical commuter car and made it the ultimate hauling wagon, combining acres of space with turbocharged power in the case of models like this 240 Turbo. Throw in its tank-like abilities when driving through the snow and its track record for withstanding years of abuse and  deferred maintenance and you have an instant classic. Buy one now while they’re still affordable – and especially if it features a turbo 5-speed combo like this car.

Now, none of us tend to care for the sellers who let the car do the talking in the listing – detail is appreciated. But in the case of a 240 Turbo Wagon with the extremely rare and very desirable manual gearbox, we can forgive the seller for not overdoing it on the background check. For anyone that’s been searching for one, they already know how hard it is to find a good example equipped like this one is. Throw in the sharp “Hydra” wheels and loads of new parts, and it almost seems crazy not to take a chance on it. The seller reports that he has installed new brakes, front rotors, struts, alternator, and radiator. Front suspension bushings are still needed, and photos show that the leather upholstery will need a do-over if you crave a perfect interior. The seller also notes that there is some rust that he describes as typical for a car this age. This is a rare one – throw on some European-specification headlights, lower it a bit, and call it a day. Good luck with the purchase if you take this 240 Turbo Wagon home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1990 volvo 240 wagon. 5 speed manual transmission. runs and drives good. body is fair…lots of new parts. brakes rotors front struts alternator and radiator. still needs some front bushings. there are very few 5 speed manual 240 wagons. its 31 years old its got a little rust as a car that age would have.. registered in nh and “title exempt” because of its age. if you are interested, come see it for yourself and make your own assessments..“

Do you have a Volvo 240 Turbo story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!