So, I’ve spoken about this on the IRC a bit already but of course not everyone from the forum uses that, so I’ll post here.
If I said that I was serious about getting this (or a similar model) as my first car: m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C631023, what would you say to me?
It’s either something like that (I have a strange addiction with Volvo 240s), or a Renault Clio. Insurance for this in the UK is surprisingly cheap, it is safe, built like a tank, reasonably fun and the list goes on… What is there to not want?
I would say, “You must be what, 50? It’s a Volvo with too many damn doors for anyone without kids!”
All kidding aside, if you like it, buy it! Who cares what other people think? Your car, your rules. Cheap insurance is always a big plus, too!
Haha fair enough, I’d love a 2 door model but it’s probably a million times more expensive, Insurance wise.
Do it. That’s a great first car (if kept in decent condition). As long as you don’t mind paying a bit extra at the pump.
Yeah, Clios are some of the best used cars for fuel efficiency so that’s a major factor. The 240 comes with a lot of different engines, and I don’t really know how fuel efficient they are.
I hope traffic in your area will give you the years it will take to get up to speed.
You underestimate the performance of the 240 vs a 1.2 8 valve Clio…
That’s because the engine is never working long enough for it to get you anywhere. 
If you don’t get the Lolvo there will be much disappointment.
I shall not disappoint! Though, it’s gonna be a year before I can get it.
Yeah seriously, older French cars is where I learnt just how much 2 valves per cylinder could suck a load of dirty exhaust… throttle response? hahahahahaha what’s that?
There is one thing worse than 2-valve per cylinder french cars when it comes to throttle response, and that is 4-valves per cylinder french cars.
The first car I used to get around in, a 2008 Clio with a 1.0 16V, which was just a stroked down version of the european 1.2, was slow, thirsty and pretty awful as a whole. It would actually be a great first car. Oh, and lift-off oversteer, it’s got some of that 
I quite liked the god awful dynamics my Xsara had (lift-off oversteer naturally featured prominently)… injected a little bit of ‘fun’ into an otherwise painfully boring drive. I actually think it was a great first car, because it taught me a great deal many things on how to not stuff it into the nearest wall/tree/car/telegraph pole.
Can’t say a Volvo 242 Turbo would teach me the same things 
They are very efficient at burning fuel, converting that into motion … not so much.
They got in the low 20’s for US MPG when new, but will still be getting in the low 20’s after 400k miles and several owners worth of lousy care. If it has a OHC You can turbo them, cam them, create bizarre combinations of parts between the soho, dohc, and even the ford 2.3 can swap parts around with it. If its pushrods… Well at least you’ll know the engine will be that last thing to die on the car. The engine bay can that basically any American V8, the chassis isn’t all the safe by modern standards but for cheap it’s probably about as good of one as you can buy outside of a older Benz.
Sweet car man. +10 points for style. I’m not very familiar with the reliability or performance of that car (don’t see many of those in Canada), do your research, see what the average life expectancy of one of these cars and see if its worthwhile to you. I don’t know what kind of budget you have, or how mechanically inclined you are but older vehicles inherently will need parts replaced and odds and ends fixed from time to time.
Yeah, I expect it would have a couple problems. I’d say I’d have an overall budget of around £2000 (car alone), but I don’t think I’d spend nearly as much as that.
The Volvo will be far far better than a used Clio at least.
I know this is an old thread but couldn’t help myself.
I would say if the choice was only between the Volvo is the best option by far. More reliable, safer (for you at least), and RWD, which is the greatest plus. However, not a big fan of the engine and throttle response. If you are also considering stuff like the clio I would say look for a Corolla with the 1,6L 4AFE engine. Cheap as chips on insurance, maintenance, and the 116hp does a great job making it quite fun to drive. Also, I don’t know if you have veteran car insurance where you live, but here i get the best Insurance for a fraction if the car is older than 30 years, then you can begin getting really fun and interesting cars 