1987 Volvo 740 GL Saloon Interest

[slomoshun]

Am looking to go back to simply technology after Scooby and have come across a 1987 Volvo 740 GL Saloon in standard trim.
Semi retired so no long commutes , odd trips away but don't go that quick anyway so wondered if this old school volvo would fit the bill.
Plus gives me scope for bit of modifying like different wider wheels maybe etc etc
Appears good from photos usual long mot , sagging roof lining type of stuff but looks solid for the five hundred asking price. Cheap classic entry level they call it. ?
No air bags , cat converter, no dash lights to really worry about to a point.
As anyone owned one on a long term basis and interested in any advice.
Appreciated

[steveg]

I've got a 940 estate. It's a bit newer but a lot stayed the same. Which engine and gearbox does the one you are looking at have ?

I bought mine as a 2.3 auto and have fitted a turbo and manual gearbox. Originally I just wanted it to be a manual but after driving the doner car I bought home realised the extra BHP from the turbo made the car much nicer to drive, especially as I was towing a trailer and caravan around.

Wheels can be a bit of a pain to find. Being rear wheel drive the have different offset wheels to later Volvos and most other cars that share the same stud pattern and center bore size. Bigger 16 and 17 inch alloys were available but are not easy to find. I wanted to fit larger brakes and better tyres on mine so ended up getting some expensive wheel spacers to allow later FWD wheels to fit. I ended up getting some Peugeot steel wheels and then fitted Volvo trims to keep this standard looking.

Look out for rust, 740/940 are very good compared with a lot of cars but they can still rust. Mine has suffered from a leaking battery which put a hole in the battery tray, the little channels around the doors that hold the weather strip and an area on one rear arch where there has been an accident repair. Sunroof trays can suffer, and if they have leaked it won't have helped the floor. Sagging headlining could be down to this but most older ones seem to do this without leaks anyway.

I've had my 940 for about 10 years now and can't thing of anything else I could afford that would do what I need so well. A saloon won't be quite as useful for moving stuff, depends what you plan on using it for really.

[slomoshun]

thanks for interesting insight
2.0 litre petrol with manual box
i am fed up with the supposedly high tech cars well high tech in their day like my scooby with warning lights , fuel injection maf sensors etc playing up and looking to return to technology more simple but having a car i can do a longer run in if i pace it and as an enthusiast look after the car but cant always justify big repair bills. Probably asking the impossible but you ll know what i mean

[steveg]

If it's a one with a carburettor you will avoid any fault code related problems but most 740 will have injection of some sort fitted. There are some fairly common problems they suffer from but compared with more modern stuff where the ECU's control everything you stand a bit more of a chance.
The Volvo owners club forum is a good place to look to get more of an idea about things.

[slomoshun]

thanks

[composimmonite]

I had a G reg 740SE and, whilst nowhere as good as the E reg 240GL it replaced, it was OK. Mine was made in Holland rather than Sweden. As already mentioned they rust ! The axle, suspension and callipers on mine was a mass of rusty metal with heavy scale whereas on the older 240 had just surface rust - I suspect it's the fact it wasn't made in Sweden so they don't bother as much ? Fuel gauge not working is a very common problem and virtually no chance of getting a working second hand item. Mine was a 2.0 Cis and no engine problems even when ran to high miles. The Cis injection is mechanical rather than electronic. In fact only electronics is ignition and there is a knock sensor on the block that alters timing if pinking that the 240 didn't have. Not very economical though - sub 20 mpg was easy to obtain Trim wasn't as good quality as the 240 but higher spec. Boot misleading and not as big as you'd think - smaller than 240. I fitted towbar to mine and it'd pull anything - as I found with early 2 door Range Rover on 6 wheeled tilt bed trailer didn't cause any problems. Handling was BETTER than the 240 which could be a little tail happy !
Parts prices were no worse than say a Mondeo if you shop around (GSF, eBay, Eurocarparts and such rather) than just going to nearest accessory shop.
If you can find one in good condition I don't think you will be disappointed.

[slomoshun]

thanks again just need a good size boot for mobility scooter that comes apart

[slomoshun]

actual engine bay for identification

[composimmonite]

Looks like Cis injection

[peter96]

I had a 740 GLE estate with a 2.3 engine and nice lazy autobox. Electrics can be a bit dodgy and you will rarely get a fuel gauge working. Fuel pumps are a bit noisy as the one in the tank can fail. If thats the case keep the tank at least a third full or the external pump has trouble picking up. I saw that one advertised and thought it looked spot on. In fact I would still be running around in mine if some low life hadn't wrecked it in a botched attempt to steal it. I've a thread on here about my car. I would say buy it they're great machines but get a good paslock and chain for the steering wheel. Oh and register for the Volvo forum and have a look in the showroom and projects section for some inspiration.

[slomoshun]

thanks for interesting advice

[slomoshun]

decided that mileage i need to do often an old school volvo wont be ideal but looking at something as second local journey car soon and thanks for some great advice today

[lightning]

Superb cars, this is mine, bought with 38k and 1 owner before me. I've taken it up to 54k over the years but don't use it much now. Totally reliable and comfortable.

[steveg]

Nov 18, 2015 21:46:52 GMT slomoshun said:

decided that mileage i need to do often an old school volvo wont be ideal but looking at something as second local journey car soon and thanks for some great advice today

What is it that put you off using it for longer trips ? To be honest that's what mine is best for. Running round locally, shopping etc it's a bit of a lump really but to be fair I have made it less suitable by fitting the manual box, stiffer suspension etc.
Judging by the engine bay it's been quite well looked after, hope I didn't put you off

[slomoshun]

just change of mind comparing other cars etc in fact might consider one in near future