60six
Posted a lot
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Posts: 1,658
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About 15 years ago I was having trouble getting work and financially ruined - Down to my last £300 and without a car for the first time in my life. Things were really carp. A mate rang and offered me an MOT'd car with 3 months tax for £200, on the condition I didn't query what it was. Due to my situation I had to say yes.
£200 later I was the owner of a 360GLE in metallic brown, covered in religious evangelical stickers! A hairdryer soon got rid of them and although incredibly soft and weighty to drive, it wasn't too bad - I then got a call for a really well paid contract in Windsor. I'm in Medway and there was no way I could afford to stay there - so drove there and back for 6 months daily - without ever being late - In this B-reg 360GLE. Pulled myself right out of trouble. It never had any problems and I only changed a couple of wheel bearings. It had steel girders bolted to ever single surface on the inside and on the floor, and sat quite high off the ground - Without that car I would not be where I am today, and my mate knew I would of said no to it - so kudos to him!
Get one - They somehow look better now than when they were made - Still Fugly though!
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Some 9000's, a 900, an RX8 & a beetle
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Chris™
Part of things
This is clearly filler material.
Posts: 519
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That was the kind of of response I was hoping for Chris! You're 340 looks really nice on those wheels, is it the saloon version? Thanks! It is indeed the saloon version, they seem a little less common than the hatches. As most people have also mentioned, they are very slow. If you want a decent RWD car (drifter or not) then an MX5 or BMW E36 will certainly be a better choice. Why did I not choose one of them? The Volvo is just different, they're a good cheap retro which I think can look pretty cool. It makes me smile driving it, feels solid and chuckable. Think of it as a 70s car really: leaf springs, carbs etc.
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1989 Volvo 340 1986 Suzuki SJ413 2000 BMW 318ti 2006 Lexus IS250
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60six
Posted a lot
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Posts: 1,658
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My 360GLE wasn't that slow, It was just that your forward visibility was impaired as when I did floor it, you only see the sky.
Mine was a 2 Litre. Never touched it so don't know anything about it, other than it had a timing belt.
B151AOA - I wonder if it's still about?
Last due tax 2008 - long gone!
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2016 0:56:53 GMT by 60six
Some 9000's, a 900, an RX8 & a beetle
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Milord
Part of things
Posts: 155
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I owned a 340 1.4 in the beginning of this year. It was a variomatic and i must say it had a unique driving experience. Seats are super-comfy, vario makes it have some sort of luxurious feel to it. All in all a nice car to own, and if it weren't for the VW bus I inherited it'd still be here as a fun weekend car.
however, as mentioned before, they are truly horrible on fuel, I remember approx 12 liter/100km... (perhaps a manual is better on fuel?) owned it for about 4 months, only thing that happened is the aforementioned carburettor nuts coming loose. Took me a while to figure out what the problem was... I'd say its a good starter car if you don't plan on driving a lot!
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2016 14:51:28 GMT by Milord
Currently: BMW E46 320i Touring BMW E34 525TDS Touring VW T3 panel van 1.6d Opel Kadett C1 Caravan 1.2 Fiat 411R
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,457
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A friend of mine has one.
It's got exceptionally comfy seats, soft suspension and corners like a large unsupported jelly. The 1.4 Renault engine propels it along without any real sense of urgency, or indeed speed. This one doesn't seem bad on fuel. I don't like the steering feel much compared to the bigger Volvos. It rides like the wheels should have been closer to the corners of the car.
The one mentioned above was previously owned by someone who 'drifted' it and abused it - as a result, it needed a new clutch, propshaft and engine mounts. The drivetrains in the Renault engined ones aren't that good at standing up to abuse.
Great if you're 70, not so great if you want something sporty. I'd quite like a high spec one.
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2016 10:41:47 GMT by tofufi
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OUTRUN
Part of things
13...
Posts: 620
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I had one a few years ago. 2.3 turbo and welded diff. Well, it was a 360. They aren't a bad car, but as mentioned they are curse word on fuel and handling. I never could get away with the front end on them.
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2016 16:59:47 GMT by OUTRUN
I need your help to get back to the year 1985.
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