I recently purchased my first Volvo, a 92 240 wagon.  I love it, it's
clean inside and out, not much rust, higher than average mileage but
well maintained and in good operating condition.  I was looking for a
roomy winter car and think I got that and a whole lot more.  There are
so many qualities that go with a 240 Volvo wagon, that all of you know
(safety, solid engineering, ergonomic comfort, spacious cargo, durable
drivetrain, etc.).  I have read some people say that they thought the
240 was possibly the best car that Volvo ever built.

Oddly enough, I also own a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 240, a diesel sedan.  It
shares many of the qualities of the Volvo listed above (except cargo
space obviously).  Both fine cars, that in good condition and with
proper care and maintenance, could potentially last another 10 years
(maybe more with the Benz, as I don't drive it in the winter).

Now the reality is that I didn't pay much for my Volvo, and I see many
others of that vintage selling for very low dollars locally.  Mind you,
many of them are probably rusted through so are not worth much, but
some look like very nice specimen.  So I am asking myself: if these
vehicles are so well built, so durable, possess all those qualities,
why aren't there more people seeking them out (thereby increasing used
prices by supply and demand)?

I have come across a few people who had bought solid old Volvos as
first car for their kids, only to have the kids say "I don't want to
drive in that ugly thing!", and the parent is forced to sell.  So looks
are part of it, the 240 (especially) has outdated lines (some would
call that "classic").  Plus they are getting older, and a lot of people
won't touch a used car that's more than 3-4 years old.  I have a
feeling that ignorance is probably mostly to blame for people shunning
older Volvos.  I can't help thinking that maybe, like in other aspects
of our society, there is a kind of "dumming down" of the population
mainstream.  People generally don't care what's under the hood of a car
anymore, and the vast majority never look under there.  NO interest in
how the vehicle is designed, except that it have a good stereo and go
like the wind when they step on the gas.  Longevity, cost of ownership
(most people go for expensive leases now!), seems secondary in most
people's mind to color, looks, sex appeal, whatever.

Oh well, I suppose this ignorance is a blessing for those of us who
favour older cars like Volvos, because it ensures plentiful supply of
cheap cars and parts.  However, something nags at me, to try to explain
why someone would rather buy a 4 year old Dodge Neon or Chevy Cavalier
or Kia (or choose your favorite piece of cr*p car), rather than a
safer, better designed, and probably longer-lived older vehicle like a
Volvo or Mercedes...  It's a mystery to me...