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I think I'm having a crisis whereby I just don't know what car to own any more!!!
Of course, like most of us I am governed by budget and as retro motors get increasingly expensive I have to narrow the spectrum a bit!!!
I'm being turned on by Volvo 740 wagons at the moment as they are temptingly cheap (compare them to the price of a Mercedes wagon!!!) and I think they look pretty good...
But what should I look for when buying and what can be done once I have one in my keep?!
Please advise...!!!
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They're not too exciting but perfectly adequate as a Retro / Classic. They're pretty good all around, the engines are strong & soak up high miles if they're looked after, (although get a low mileage example if you can), the bodywork was built with heavily gritted Scandinavian roads in mind so it takes a lot longer to rot than contemporary offerings from other manufacturers. Just have a 'switched on' test drive, listen to the engine & transmission, crawl around underneath. Make sure everything works. The estates are immensely practical and can carry much more than many small vans. Cons; they're relatively thirsty & parts / repairs are expensive although you can pick up plentiful parts on the second-hand / scrap market. Ideal buy; that elusive 'one owner' car that's been owned by a typical Volvo driver, (Captain Birds Eye), garaged, low miles, full Volvo service history, top spec when new, never towed, etc. This example doesn't have the leather but it ticks a lot of those boxes, niggling corrosion problems just starting, probably mainly superficial. It'll be interesting to see what the auction ends at. Volvo 740 estate ebayRetroRides is probably as good as place as any to pick up a reasonably priced example!
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Last Edit: Jun 1, 2016 18:55:48 GMT by MkX
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hario
Part of things
S202 C300STD
Posts: 421
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I only found out last week those ones are RWD and come in turbo and inline 4 /5 / 6 engines. Mind blown...
Lower rear wheel arches apparently for rust starting point.
Built-in chrome roof rack, BRRRR...
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Last Edit: Jun 2, 2016 12:24:19 GMT by hario
*S202 C300TD Wagon* Installed: OM606 & 722.6, Evo6 IC, S600AMG callipers & 345mm rotors. No catz. Leatherish seats.. Rust.. Future: DIY manifolds & turbo compound build. Built IP, & some kind of software. Less rust..
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tsoob
Part of things
Posts: 107
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They never came with an inline 5, the front wheel drive 850 did. It's the same motor as the Focus inline 5, pretty much. The later 960 came with the inline 6, the engine mounts from a 960 can be used in a 740 to convert it to inline 5 or 6. You need to use the 960 transmission obviously.
Other things: The differentials are Dana centres, also used in some Jeeps, so trick diff centres are cheap from the states
Volvo Penta (boats) used the Inline 4 in boats, so you can use stroker cranks from boats to turn a 2.0 or 2.3 litre 740 into a 2.5 litre
Volvo penta also took Chevrolet LS1 motors and converted them for boat use, so it's possible to use a combination of Volvo Penta block and Chevrolet heads to make an all Volvo powered 5.7 litre V8 740
They share the same 5x108 stud pattern/offset and centre bore as Ferrari, so any 80's or 90's Ferrari wheel will bolt on.
They came in 8v (B230) and 16v (B234) configurations, but the turbos were only 8V. Using a custom manifold from the USA (Yoshifab) you can bolt a turbo to the 16V motor. There are clearance issues if you do this with a manual car, the solution is to either convert the car to LHD or convert the car to automatic.
You can bolt the 16V head to the 8V bottom end, but the 8V motor doesn't have balance shafts - Actually makes the motor more willing to rev.
There was a 4WD version available in Sweden, but the gearbox is not very strong.
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Last Edit: Jun 2, 2016 12:42:48 GMT by tsoob
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Thanks for all your help and suggestions folks it is truly appreciated...
I think that when you seen an advert like this, it is hard to resist!
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tsoob
Part of things
Posts: 107
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The 240 is better balanced, lighter and has the same motor - Better brakes too and debatably a better interior, better grade of plastic.
The sedans anyway, I've never liked the wagons.
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Last Edit: Jun 3, 2016 10:52:06 GMT by tsoob
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Thanks folks...
I have seen a cheap wagon close to me that I might go and view so who knows, I may have a Swede soon!
I like the look of the US-Spec light setup so a switch to that may be an option.
I think that just keeping things clean and simple is the key with a 700 series Volvo as they are so blocky and crisp.
Anyhow, I am still taken aback by the value of these so I think I'm going to take the plunge soon...
Not my usual choice but what the heckington eh...?!?!?!
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generallee
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,012
Member is Online
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My family always had Volvos, my dad had a couple 740 GLEs, they were properly comfy, massive and well built. They always felt a bit more luxurious and less utilitarian than the 240s we had.
I bought one in summer 2004 for £150 (a navy blue GL), spent 6 weeks touring Europe with a friend and sold it to a decorator for £50. It was faultless, apart from a saggy headlining. Think it was a 2.3 (may be wrong) with a slushbox, it wasn't fast, it was thirsty. Man it was ace at motorways though, we could cruise all day in comfort. They sleep 2 burly 6 foot lads in comfort, should the need arise.
Edit- the second one my dad had, the milometer packed up at around 180k, it was still going strong after 3 years of high mileage when he sold it.
Mine had 200-odd on the clock and you wouldn't know it.
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My family always had Volvos, my dad had a couple 740 GLEs, they were properly comfy, massive and well built. My Uncle had Volvo's so I think that's why I have a bit of a soft spot for these! I recall his GLE wagon seeming ultra luxurious with its caramel coloured leather trim...
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,087
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Problems on 740s do seem to be restricted to the minor. Saggy headlinings and rear lights filling with water are problems for the saloon, headlight wipers can fail, rust on the rear arches is usually just minor paint damage and they don't seem to get issues with serious rot unless they've been seriously neglected and afflicted with a sunroof.
Not the most inspiring machines but immensely capable. Definitely thirsty, that seems to be a Volvo thing, but what you pay extra in fuel you get back in reliability and not having to hire a van if you have the estate variant. Paint on these is particularly good, you rarely see scabby examples and when you do it's because they've had a seriously hard life. Autos are naturally more thirsty than manuals but if you're happy with the 25-35mpg you're likely to get out of the manual, a small drop in that economy isn't going to bother you that much.
Only other things I can think of on those with a tow bar is to check the bottom of the rear quarters/wings for rust as they can go soggy here on particularly well used examples and the rear suspension can get quite saggy if they've been used as a heavy load lugger and/or tow machine and not looked after.
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Last Edit: Jun 4, 2016 8:18:31 GMT by MkX
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Bracey
Part of things
Posts: 208
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Mate, I've just bought a 20 year old Volvo last month after never particularly liking them before. My last car was an Impreza WRX worth many times more.
I don't know what got into me but I absolutely love it! I wanted something old, usable daily, rear wheel drive and 6-cylinders. My missus and my daughter hate it's looks and my mates say its great but I think some are just humouring me. I went for a Volvo 940 estate which is pretty much a facelifted 740.
I went for a rare D24tic model (straight-six 2.4 litre diesel from a MK1 VW LT), not because they are better than the petrols but because I always thought the old LT's sounded great and it will do 35-40mpg rather than 20-25mpg. You can get a 740 with a D24 (2.4 non-turbo diesel), D24T (turbo diesel) or D24Tic (intercooled). I would have had any as I'm not after speed but they rarely come up for sale. I couldn't find a manual.
Mine is currently up the road having a straight side-exit pipe fitted! I can't wait to hear it!
I can't get over how cheap they are to buy and how well appointed. I've got heated seats, electric windows, mirrors and sunroof and mine is a poverty spec model.
They don't handle! On roundabouts for example I've found that the amount of steering input has more influence on the amount of tyre squeal than the direction and mine had a recent suspension refresh.
Get one!
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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2016 9:35:08 GMT by Bracey
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tsoob
Part of things
Posts: 107
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That giant lump of truck motor in the front of yours doesn't help you in that regard, my sisters 740GL with good tyres held a line fine, could control it on the throttle anyway!
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I've just bought a 940 turbo love it to bits mega tuning for little money recommend Thread coming soon
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A 740's main ailments are saggy headlinings, dodgy fuel gauges, and rot in the front floor pans. Also check the rear jacking points. You will find it much easier to find a 940 in great condition though, and they are better than a 740 in all areas anyway. They don't suffer from headlining/fuel gauge problems, have better stronger engines (conventional fuel injection rather than CIS/carbs, and most are turbos so better to drive), better gearboxes, and they are more refined inside.
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Last Edit: Jun 7, 2016 0:00:00 GMT by baggy798
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I don't know why but (from a very young age) I have always wanted a Volvo wagon. I still have my "Majoret" Volvo wagon toy. It has always been my favorite car to play with. I have owned a few Volvo's. I can tell you about the awesome adventures I had in my Volvo 66. Or how fast my 440 was. Even my 264 and 240 were great but I never had a wagon. I turn 50 next year.....would make an awesome present for moi!!
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A 740's main ailments are saggy headlinings, dodgy fuel gauges, and rot in the front floor pans. Also check the rear jacking points. You will find it much easier to find a 940 in great condition though, and they are better than a 740 in all areas anyway. They don't suffer from headlining/fuel gauge problems, have better stronger engines (conventional fuel injection rather than CIS/carbs, and most are turbos so better to drive), better gearboxes, and they are more refined inside. 740's more distinctive & rarer but as baggy798 says, 940 was the 'new improved' version with sundry problems ironed out. Bargains can be had very cheaply if you know what you're looking for. If you can find a really nice one you'd have a decade or two out of it with relatively few problems.
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Actually I take a bit of that back. 740's don't suffer from wrinkled door cards, they have a simpler heating system that uses two sliding levers, whereas on a 940 it is all vacuum operated which sucks when it goes wrong.
They also don't have airbags, SIPS, aircon, or electric seats, less to go wrong and a fair bit lighter.
Steering has better feel as well, on a 940 it's very light.
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