hallsy
Part of things
Posts: 88
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I have an itch for a retro, and what better excuse than to take my 951 off the road for a bit to get a few jobs done, and have a nice retro winter runaround............ I'm sure she'll buy that one, lol! But seriously, I love Volvo's - had an 855 T5 then an 855R a few years back, recently bought a 9-5 Aero as a general runabout - it's a lovely car for the cash, but I still miss the old Volvo's. I really fancy a 240, although I'd be partial to a nice 740 also - just think the 240 is a much better looking car, more individual. Thing is, I do need this to be relatively reliable, and relatively cheap - do these still exist in the 240 world? I gather rust is the killer with these, how bad can it get, and where are the common areas to look? I gather 740's are much better, being partially galvanised, are they relatively rust free - or are they starting to suffer also? I guess a 940 is probably a better car overall, but it's starting to get a bit too modern imo, and even though the 740 and 940 are very similar (especially in wagon trim), a pre-facelift 740 still looks more flat fronted imo, which I love! Any trouble with run of the mill service & repair items yet? I can appreciate trim, etc might be hard to find, but not too fussed about that. Do these cars still attract car thieves (banger racing)? I live in a quiet area, but still something to consider I guess. Any advice, good or bad on these would be much appreciated  |
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Last Edit: Oct 8, 2015 12:07:14 GMT by hallsy
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,353
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Thing is, I do need this to be relatively reliable, and relatively cheap - do these still exist in the 240 world? I gather rust is the killer with these, how bad can it get, and where are the common areas to look? Do these cars still attract car thieves (banger racing)? I live in a quiet area, but still something to consider I guess. yes, you can still find a cheap 240, but you have to look harder and act fast. They can rust pretty spectaularly, I bought a spares car with very little left of the door shuts, boot lip, rain gutters and floors, that was an '86. Spare wheel wells are also prone, as are screen surrounds. From what I've heard, banger racers are moving onto other things now the price is climbing I'd be partial to a nice 740 also... Any trouble with run of the mill service & repair items yet? I can appreciate trim, etc might be hard to find, but not too fussed about that. I know much less about 740s except they are much cheaper, most things are available second hand for both cars. They're comfy, rugged and reliable on the whole, I daily my 1979 240 and it's done 170000! |
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The bonnet came up on my E reg 240GL at speed and damage (roof, windscreen & bonnet) was such it was a write off so I replaced it with a G reg 740SE. Yes - the 740 handled better and higher spec trim but hated it compared to the 240 which was overall a far nicer car. Also my 240 was Swedish but 740 was made in Holland and rusted terribly especially underneath on suspension and brake components.
I'd have another 240 in a shot but would pass on a 740.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,199
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I have previously owned 2 740s but that was almost a decade ago. The first was a 1991 740 2.0i SE running EFI:  In some ways this was a better car than the second one but it had lived an easier life. It was a manual and if I am honest it was far from quick! It was not amazingly frugal either! OK the car was loaded to the hilt but going to Spain we saw 30MPG. I don't think it was much better elsewhere TBH! The second one was a sheddy 740 which I eventually sold to dollywobbler of this parish:   This one to be honest was a bit of a dog. It was dead reliable despite having a starting issue from cold. Despite looking solid it had once been patched on the floor and it would have needed a patch on the chassis leg. However, it was quicker than the first car and despite being on 'troublesome' Bosch K-Jetronic it was more frugal. On a run seeing 36MPG was not difficult at all. If it were me I would look out for a few things: -Trim ; it will now be old and brittle, so a few items will break -Rust ; This would be my main concern. On top they will look OK but they can rot badly underneath -Engines ; They are solid but they do need care. The second car ran better than the first despite there being a difference in mileage of 60k between the two of them and it was quieter. -Suspension : Bushes and dampers will be shot on them now but at least it is replaceable. I somethings think about buying a 740T or an 850T5R nowadays . I almost bought the latter over the Clio! |
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hallsy
Part of things
Posts: 88
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Oct 12, 2015 18:08:40 GMT
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Thanks for the hints guys The 240 is the one I'd really want from a looks & character point of view, but I had sort of convinced myself that anything half decent might be getting more expensive than say a less loved 740 or 940 Turbo. I often like oddball cars anyway, and for some reason a 740 saloon had started to appeal! Not that I'm that fussed about having a Turbo as such, but it would be nice  Chas - 850 T5R, lovely motor. My T5 was OK, more of a 'better than I thought it would be' purchase. 225k miles but huge service history, CD spec, comfy & quick, yet very reliable. Then I bought an 850R, loved it - shouldn't have sold it. Great condition inside & out, only sold it as I was bored after two 850's back to back. Might be rose tinted glasses, but in some ways I preferred the old 850's to my current 9-5 Aero runabout. The 9-5 is more modern, just as comfy, quick - but it doesn't feel quite as solid as the 850's did, auto box is better though. Volvo or Saab, I do love 'em! |
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hallsy
Part of things
Posts: 88
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Oct 12, 2015 18:44:08 GMT
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The bonnet came up on my E reg 240GL at speed and damage (roof, windscreen & bonnet) was such it was a write off so I replaced it with a G reg 740SE. Yes - the 740 handled better and higher spec trim but hated it compared to the 240 which was overall a far nicer car. Also my 240 was Swedish but 740 was made in Holland and rusted terribly especially underneath on suspension and brake components. I'd have another 240 in a shot but would pass on a 740. I have heard a few comments that the 740/940 (960 even more so I guess) handle better than the 240 - is the ride just generally a bit firmer and sharper? What was it about the 740 that you hated so much, or maybe, what was it about the 240 that you preferred? I have read that many considered the interior trim quality of the 740 to be inferior compared to the 240, also the 740 lacked the side impact bars that the 240 had - seems a strange moved as when they made a big deal out of the SIPS system in later models! Speaking of handling, I'm assuming a standard 240 is a bit of a boat when pushed?? |
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Last Edit: Oct 12, 2015 18:46:45 GMT by hallsy
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Oct 12, 2015 19:37:31 GMT
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Both my 240 & 740 were 2.0 CiS models so expected the 740 to drive exactly the same but that wasn't the case. The 240 used to feel a little unstable (tail happy) when flicked around some of the tight bends in the local lanes even at lowish speeds whereas the 740 was a lot more stable. Only difference, afaik, was 740 had wider track. The 760's had IRS but mine was a 740 and normal beam axle the same as 240. The 240 seemed more "brutal" in power delivery (which I liked) and was brilliant tow car. 740 was more refined in they way the engine reved - and also far more thirsty !. The engines were basically the same block but different ignition system on 740 and antiknock sensor etc. The footwell on 740 had a bulge under left foot that made driving uncomfortable for me - I have duff left leg although can still drive manuals as were both of my Volvo's. Trim higher spec in 740 but not as good quality so looked tatty at lower mileages. 740 fuel gauge didn't work and found that is very common. 740 rusted badly underneath - especially suspension, axle and calliper components. Bodywork still good on both even at the end of my ownership - 240 scrapped at something like 200,000 miles due to bonnet coming up damage and 740 sold for £50 when MOT ran out and not worth / liked enough to bother sorting at lower miles, probably, around 175,000. 740 boot smaller than 240. I converted the 240 to LPG and tank fitted above axle / below rear window but no chance of getting the same tank anywhere near the same position on 740. With having a 740 straight after a 240 that I loved maybe I'm a little critical as the 740 wasn't bad in any way I can definitively say but rather more of a feeling that the 240 was nicer. What about the later 900 series ? BTW replaced the 740 with an older but mint / low miles / one previous owner (who was only selling because terminal cancer) MKII 2.0 LX Granada auto |
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hallsy
Part of things
Posts: 88
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Oct 13, 2015 17:54:05 GMT
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Thanks again - I was pretty surprised to see how small the saloon boot was on a 740, but I don't really need the space as my 9-5 is an estate, so kind of fancied a saloon for a change.
940 is a consideration, I was on the fence as they look a bit softer than a 740 imo, but can look good with the right colour, wheels, slight drop, etc.
Will see what comes up locally, I got my pushbike out of the shed today, so even if I have to lay my 944 up for a little while, I still have pedal power! Not to mention the S2000 in the garage, but I need to put a new wing on that after my other half had a spacial awareness failure!!
Still fancy another retro though!
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Oct 13, 2015 19:00:39 GMT
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Have you considered a 760 ? 2.3 turbo or 2.8 V6.
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