Volvo 340 - thoughts?

[lolvo]

I've always had the undying urge to own one of these but the ones I've seen have always been too far, too expensive or just ragged.

Today I spotted one on ebay (just checking as you do), this is it:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-VOLVO-340-DL-RED-/300894919673?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item460ebc1bf9

What are they like to drive (without power steering, rwd etc)?

What do you think it's worth?

Have any of you ever owned one?

Basically the bloke wants £700 for it, I'm going to try bidding him £600.

Cheers, Ryan


Edit: Just got a renewal quote on it and it's £750 to insure, half the price it would have been had I got a PD130 ibiza.

[bl1300]

Looks quite nice. It may be badged a Volvo but its not a volvo design in fact the design goes to DAF. Steering isn't overly heavy they are RWD with a transaxle box so they have pretty good weight distribution. Handling isn't bad either thanks to the de-dion rear suspension.

That one has at some point had an auto front bumper fitted you can tell as manual ones have blanking plates over the little grills. These are there to cool the drive belts on auto models.

[composimmonite]

I had one. Bought it off a mate, who had it from new, when 3 years old. Nice car. Not immune to rot though. Mine had it in front chassis leg behind suspension and also rear chassis legs - as I found out by them crumbling when attaching a towbar ! Also had carb trouble that never managed to totally cure. Ran up to just under 100,000 miles and relatively trouble free albeit a little thirsty compared to, say, an Escort. Would I have another ? - definate YES :-)

Paul h

[lolvo]

Cheers guys. I gave it a good look 'round and spotted one blemish on a wheel arch. When it was started it made a squealing noise (not the type of noise from the aux belt - sounded worse). Also the brake pedal was like standing on concrete. Turned out the fault was the vacuum hose off the servo was blocked - the bloke changed it for me there and then. After looking around the car for a hour or so (found out it was owned by a little old lady it seems, her bags where still in the boot - the floor looked almost new around the petrol tank too!) I decided to go in for the kill. Offered the bloke £550 and we agreed on £600.

Picking it up tomorrow, do I love it? Yes.

[bl1300]

Good for you I hope you enjoy it.

[lolvo]

I will thanks I Will keep the forum updated too and post more