The Way Driving Should Be: First few outings with the 240 in Maine

“Is that your Volvo?” the only other patient at Physical Therapy asked me.

I responded yes and she lights up as she tells me how much she loved her 1989 240. I was astounded as I noticed she was parked next to me in a Tesla Model X, one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market (also priced at over $100k). Yet, she was asking me about my plebian 240? Talk about a dichotomy between the two cars.

Then, the Physical Therapist piped in to say that his first car was a Volvo 740 GLE, but he always wanted a 240 and is now inspired to acquire one.

It speaks to the influence of one’s experience with a 240, it stays with you – decades later.

The previous day was my first trip in the 240, I couldn’t wait to start creating memories of it with my nieces and nephew.

“This car looks ancient. Like from the year 2000, ancient.” My 9-yearold niece comments before walking around the rear of the 240 and asking: “Is this one of those old-timey trunks?”

Kids these days.

Blinded by my excitement to foster a love of old Volvos with a younger generation, I failed to realize that a sedan would be considered unusual. Once the most popular style of vehicle, sedans have slowly been disappearing from truck and crossover-filled American roads.

Opening the trunk provided unexpected entertainment for the kids and we were back on track.

The 240 has a contagious charm to it – even having a 240 model car on a shelf in my house has sparked conversations with contractors in way that a more conventionally loved (and more aspirational) car, like a Porsche 911, wouldn’t. Perhaps it was its unusually long (25 years if you include its very similar 140-series predecessor) model cycle that the sheer number of people who grew up with them and/or learned to drive on one, is quite vast. Everyone seems to have a 240 memory.

The 240 manages to be approachable, yet not mundane and has character and distinction, without being pretentious. Even though my particular 240 could use a new paint job (among other things), there’s a sense of pride that I have in driving it that has been absent from my other vehicle.

The simplicity is endearing, yet practical. With massive windows and narrow pillars, it’s unapologetically utilitarian. Every time I get behind the wheel it’s like a sigh of relief and I am transported back to an era of no fuss, no frills driving.

The driving position, the narrowness of the vehicle, and the tight turning circle all make it a surprisingly fun car to drive – especially one without any sporting intentions. At 190 inches long, the 240 is far from small. Even by 2023 standards, it still would be considered a midsize vehicle, but it feels and drives smaller than it is.

Little features of the 240 unintentionally function well today. For instance, the large tray below the radio is the perfect spot to prop up an iPhone - especially when in need of directions. The 240 manages to be timelessness in form as well as function.

Maine’s state motto is “The way life should be”. After reacclimating to the Volvo, I have realized that the 240’s motto is “The way driving should be”.