Volvo 960 Estate

[estate87]

Talk to me people

I've got a real hankering for a 960, probably the 3.0 24v. Tell me good points and bad please. No matter how trivial?

I'm going to hazard a guess that one bad point will be the fuel economy but I've run a T5 V50 in the past so I know a bit about lowish mpg.

Cheers

[MkX]

Good call! Volvo are legendarily robust, soaking up astronomical mileages without complaint. The 960 is designed & engineered to endure in climates less friendly than ours. Thirsty as you say but not expensive to buy as a fully-loaded used car. The estate is an extremely capable workhorse, look out for one with the fold down seating in the boot which enables you to carry up to 6 passengers.

www.parkers.co.uk/volvo/960/saloon-1990/30-executive-4d/specs/

www.parkers.co.uk/volvo/960/estate-1990/30-cd-luxury-5d-auto/specs/

[estate87]

Yeah I feel the need for squareness again. The one I'm looking at has got 240k on it but decent history and is only a 2 owner car. It's not a bad price either.

[ChasR]

Many people will bang on about how great they are but I bet many haven't owned or driven one.

Admittedly I'm sort of in that camp. I've driven a 940 and have owned 2 740s, which they are based on. The first 740 I drove to Spain. The second I dailied for almost a year and did a road trip around Europe.

They are solid and well built, but even they have flakiness in areas. For example, you'll be lucky to find one now that doesn't have cracked doorcard pockets. They're a pleasant drive but that is about it. For me, I"d want a W124 over one ; they just have more of a magic to them as they get down the road. My friends also preferred my W124s over the 740s, and they had a share in the 740s .

[estate87]

Oh yeah I know they've got their faults as all 25+ year old cars do.

There's just something that appeals to me about them more than say a big old Merc. I've got a few ideas with what to do with it once I'm a bit bored with it too.

[discostew38]

Yeah good car
The 6 pot wasn't as robust as the 4 pot but if looked after they can still do big miles
Having owned a 940 for 13 years and a 240 for 5 years I can say the 940 is a much easier car to live with and as the 960 is the same car bar the engine and some extra refinery I don't think there's much to be concerned about
And yes they will be bad on fuel its a Volvo thing 😀