Consequently I toyed with buying her a Volvo 240 as joke but not really as I doubt there are any solid ones near me.
You might want to talk with
@Sam_Julier - he keeps finding nice 240s. I hear they’re coming back in style as retro-cool….
I am fan of the Volvo P2 chassis.
Known issues are front lower control arm bushings, engine mounts, subframe mounts, and transmission valve bodies in 2001-2002. Timing belt engine, so, make sure that’s updated.
On the other hand, once those issues are addressed, you have a rust resistant body, great seats, excellent safety record, good brakes, and a reliable, durable engine.
I did get my step son a Mercedes W124 - a 1992 300E Sportline. It had 73,000 on it. Beautiful condition, Florida car. $5,000 purchase in 2010. I fixed all the issues it had (and there were several) for about $1,500 in parts. He drove it for 9 years and 100,000 miles before it was wrecked in an ice storm.
Same approach as the Volvo fleet - solid fundamentals, like body, interior and power train - in need of some love, with a water pump leak, inoperative gas gauge, worn brakes, knackered suspension parts, and few other minor issues.
The thing I really liked about that MB was that it was both safe and cool. He loved that car. It had a classic look. But it was most important to his Mom and I that his first car was a safe one.
The ice storm proved the wisdom of that priority.
bringatrailer.com
