I need a Volvo estate in my life!
Discussion
Hey guys, basically this is the deal, i have my stupid coupe which i being turned into a track toy, so at the grand old age of 26 its time for a Volvo Estate.
I have a MAX budget of £700, i know, not alot, and if i can i'd rather not spend more than £500 unless i'm getting a years tax with it.
Whats the best to look for, my choices seem to be:
740
850(my personal favourite)
940
V40
I want to use it as a towing car, so needs to a little bit of grunt, but mainly just a tank, so whats the best/worst engine in the range, what should i avoid?
Also, how much is it to fit a tow bar? If i can get it done myself that'd give me more choice of cars to choose from.
are there any major problems with these cars at high mileage, or just the usual things that need replacing on most cars at 100-200,000 miles?
any help would be much appreciated.
I have a MAX budget of £700, i know, not alot, and if i can i'd rather not spend more than £500 unless i'm getting a years tax with it.
Whats the best to look for, my choices seem to be:
740
850(my personal favourite)
940
V40
I want to use it as a towing car, so needs to a little bit of grunt, but mainly just a tank, so whats the best/worst engine in the range, what should i avoid?
Also, how much is it to fit a tow bar? If i can get it done myself that'd give me more choice of cars to choose from.
are there any major problems with these cars at high mileage, or just the usual things that need replacing on most cars at 100-200,000 miles?
any help would be much appreciated.
850 T5 if you can find a decent one for 700quid - or either a 2.5 10v or 20v 850, or a mint 740 Turbo. V40's are ok but are too small and rust quite badly compared to the 850's and 740's. 2.0 20v 850's are ok but lack bottom end torque and require lots of revs (sound lovely though)
All are good motors though - I'd still favour an 850 over the other 2 though (having driven, serviced and worked on all 3)
All are good motors though - I'd still favour an 850 over the other 2 though (having driven, serviced and worked on all 3)
Well I'm just about to sell my faithful 940 estate and I couldn't recommend this one (and the model in general) more highly. They are built to last and whilst mine has covered 152K miles since late 95 it's quite common to find 250k milers.
I don't really think the 940's have any major weaknesses providing they get serviced regularly. It's the ancillaries that pack up such as AC. If you're considering a real load lugger then the 940 is still a leader in that department. Mine will be appearing in the Classifieds this weekend so take a look.
I don't really think the 940's have any major weaknesses providing they get serviced regularly. It's the ancillaries that pack up such as AC. If you're considering a real load lugger then the 940 is still a leader in that department. Mine will be appearing in the Classifieds this weekend so take a look.
If your looking to tow with it, a 940 turbo would be just the job, although that said, I tow with my 740 2.3 n/a and its fine!
I cant recommend the 740/940 enough, my 740s have cost me £100 and £120 and only needed routine maintenance things! They are bulletproof at 170 and 190,000 miles. I have an estate and saloon!
I cant recommend the 740/940 enough, my 740s have cost me £100 and £120 and only needed routine maintenance things! They are bulletproof at 170 and 190,000 miles. I have an estate and saloon!
caiss4 said:
Well I'm just about to sell my faithful 940 estate and I couldn't recommend this one (and the model in general) more highly. They are built to last and whilst mine has covered 152K miles since late 95 it's quite common to find 250k milers.
I don't really think the 940's have any major weaknesses providing they get serviced regularly. It's the ancillaries that pack up such as AC. If you're considering a real load lugger then the 940 is still a leader in that department. Mine will be appearing in the Classifieds this weekend so take a look.
Couldn't help myself... a little plug http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/999104.htmI don't really think the 940's have any major weaknesses providing they get serviced regularly. It's the ancillaries that pack up such as AC. If you're considering a real load lugger then the 940 is still a leader in that department. Mine will be appearing in the Classifieds this weekend so take a look.
I want it to go to a good home!
from me on these s'funny aint it.
i am onto my 5th 740/940 they have proved totally reliable (hope that hasn't jinxed it) cheap to buy and run. It'll carry more than a LR Disco or a later 850, but I am fed up of it and want something more "interesting" that won't do anything as good or as cheaply or reliably.
Am I stupid or what?
i am onto my 5th 740/940 they have proved totally reliable (hope that hasn't jinxed it) cheap to buy and run. It'll carry more than a LR Disco or a later 850, but I am fed up of it and want something more "interesting" that won't do anything as good or as cheaply or reliably.
Am I stupid or what?
Skyedriver said:
s'funny aint it.
i am onto my 5th 740/940 they have proved totally reliable (hope that hasn't jinxed it) cheap to buy and run. It'll carry more than a LR Disco or a later 850, but I am fed up of it and want something more "interesting" that won't do anything as good or as cheaply or reliably.
Am I stupid or what?
I was in the same dilemma. Wanted to change my old 940 and went off and found a 10 year old V70. Ticked all the boxes but in the end I decided it was just more of the same.i am onto my 5th 740/940 they have proved totally reliable (hope that hasn't jinxed it) cheap to buy and run. It'll carry more than a LR Disco or a later 850, but I am fed up of it and want something more "interesting" that won't do anything as good or as cheaply or reliably.
Am I stupid or what?
Ended up buying an Alfa 156 2.5V6 saloon
. Just sold the 940 courtesy of PH. It's gone to a good home 
Anyway we'll all be seeing it soon 
I have an S40 and my dad has a V40, so I can comment first hand on these.
They are very good cars and in budget for you. Mine has been 100% reliable so far. It has done an intergalactic 155k but still feels 'tight'. Doors close with a reassuring 'whump' and the engine is smooth. The trim is hard-wearing and of a decent quality, but a bit drab. It is very comfetable.
They are not the last word as far as exciting drives go! Its not a car to go snicking through the gears on the twisties in, it is more of a motorway mile muncher.
Some things to bear in mind about these cars:
1) Avoid the 1.6 V40. It'll be miserably slow. These cars are heavy and need something beefier.
2) The 1.8 is very high geared. This blunts the performance, and gives bad fuel consumption in town. On the other hand, it returns 42-43mpg on a long motorway run at about 75mph.
3) Also avoid the 1.8 GDI. This is a mitsi engine, it is a good engine but has a lot of problems with coking up. This is very expensive to fix. Syptoms are a lack of power, poor idle and cutting out. It costs about £1k at an indy to fix this.
4) These cars have Renault gearboxes and are not the strongest. You need to test drive. A whiney or crunching box is something to look for. Don't worry about side-to-side slop in the gear lever. The gear linkage has sacraficial nylon bushes and they need replacing every 30k or so. They cost about £10 for the lot from Volvo.
5) There are loads around. Don't plump for the first car you see. Hold out for a 'CD' spec car with leather, air-con and some driver toys.
6) The diesel is a Renault engine. The same one that is used in the Laguna dci.
7) The V40 T4 is a very cheap way to 200bhp. Do bear in mind that parts are more expensive for these cars because a lot of them are uprated.
8) It is an interference engine. Cambelts are due every 80k. Genuine Volvo Service parts are very cheap on ebay.
9) If looked after, high milages are not a problem. There are lots around that are at 200k+ going strong.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ is a good active forum for Volvos.
They are very good cars and in budget for you. Mine has been 100% reliable so far. It has done an intergalactic 155k but still feels 'tight'. Doors close with a reassuring 'whump' and the engine is smooth. The trim is hard-wearing and of a decent quality, but a bit drab. It is very comfetable.
They are not the last word as far as exciting drives go! Its not a car to go snicking through the gears on the twisties in, it is more of a motorway mile muncher.
Some things to bear in mind about these cars:
1) Avoid the 1.6 V40. It'll be miserably slow. These cars are heavy and need something beefier.
2) The 1.8 is very high geared. This blunts the performance, and gives bad fuel consumption in town. On the other hand, it returns 42-43mpg on a long motorway run at about 75mph.
3) Also avoid the 1.8 GDI. This is a mitsi engine, it is a good engine but has a lot of problems with coking up. This is very expensive to fix. Syptoms are a lack of power, poor idle and cutting out. It costs about £1k at an indy to fix this.
4) These cars have Renault gearboxes and are not the strongest. You need to test drive. A whiney or crunching box is something to look for. Don't worry about side-to-side slop in the gear lever. The gear linkage has sacraficial nylon bushes and they need replacing every 30k or so. They cost about £10 for the lot from Volvo.
5) There are loads around. Don't plump for the first car you see. Hold out for a 'CD' spec car with leather, air-con and some driver toys.
6) The diesel is a Renault engine. The same one that is used in the Laguna dci.
7) The V40 T4 is a very cheap way to 200bhp. Do bear in mind that parts are more expensive for these cars because a lot of them are uprated.
8) It is an interference engine. Cambelts are due every 80k. Genuine Volvo Service parts are very cheap on ebay.
9) If looked after, high milages are not a problem. There are lots around that are at 200k+ going strong.
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ is a good active forum for Volvos.
simonrockman said:
Wouldn't RWD/4WD (Merc, Audi) be better for towing? I've just bought a vgc'93 Mercedes 190E (60k miles) for £700. It's a saloon.
Nah - All Volvo's make awesome tow cars - best tow car I ever had was a Volvo 360 GLT - I once managed to drag a 7 series beemer along some concrete with all 4 wheels seized solidmorgrp said:
simonrockman said:
Wouldn't RWD/4WD (Merc, Audi) be better for towing? I've just bought a vgc'93 Mercedes 190E (60k miles) for £700. It's a saloon.
Nah - All Volvo's make awesome tow cars - best tow car I ever had was a Volvo 360 GLT - I once managed to drag a 7 series beemer along some concrete with all 4 wheels seized solidRich7se said:
morgrp said:
simonrockman said:
Wouldn't RWD/4WD (Merc, Audi) be better for towing? I've just bought a vgc'93 Mercedes 190E (60k miles) for £700. It's a saloon.
Nah - All Volvo's make awesome tow cars - best tow car I ever had was a Volvo 360 GLT - I once managed to drag a 7 series beemer along some concrete with all 4 wheels seized solidI've got a 940 wentworth estate available, 2.0 turbo petrol manual.
I bought it to use as my tow car but have not got round to fitting a towbar to it yet, 1 lady owned from 1994 to 2008, lovely old thing drives like it will go for a good few years yet, even the aircon works, 6m T&T £700.
I bought it to use as my tow car but have not got round to fitting a towbar to it yet, 1 lady owned from 1994 to 2008, lovely old thing drives like it will go for a good few years yet, even the aircon works, 6m T&T £700.
Hi, I'm new here, but felt I could contribute to this one.
I had a 940 2.0S auto a while back (to help with a house renovation). Solid as a rock, vast inside (got 2 x fridge freezers in once). Felt like it would go on forever (on 150k). I sold it when we finished the house jobs. It was, however, really slow and wallowed like an obese hippo. Not a great deal of fun to drive really, although I did love the thing and missed it terribly. I imagine that the 960 would be even nicer.
We're about to move again, so I've picked up another- but this time an 850 T5 auto. It's certainly not as big in the back, but it is a much nicer drive- and very quick as you'd expect. Also fully loaded with kit (leather, dual zone climate, cd changer etc) that all still works (AC needs regassing). It cost £800 as opposed to $600 for the 940, but worth it. Showing 189k, but still feels solid and the engine positively purrs.
Round my way (SE London/ kent border), the estates I was looking at all sold very quickly, like within a couple of days. If this is true for you, you may need to travel or be quick! Have a look at a few, take some test drives and see what floats your boat.
HTH,
Alex.
I had a 940 2.0S auto a while back (to help with a house renovation). Solid as a rock, vast inside (got 2 x fridge freezers in once). Felt like it would go on forever (on 150k). I sold it when we finished the house jobs. It was, however, really slow and wallowed like an obese hippo. Not a great deal of fun to drive really, although I did love the thing and missed it terribly. I imagine that the 960 would be even nicer.
We're about to move again, so I've picked up another- but this time an 850 T5 auto. It's certainly not as big in the back, but it is a much nicer drive- and very quick as you'd expect. Also fully loaded with kit (leather, dual zone climate, cd changer etc) that all still works (AC needs regassing). It cost £800 as opposed to $600 for the 940, but worth it. Showing 189k, but still feels solid and the engine positively purrs.
Round my way (SE London/ kent border), the estates I was looking at all sold very quickly, like within a couple of days. If this is true for you, you may need to travel or be quick! Have a look at a few, take some test drives and see what floats your boat.
HTH,
Alex.
Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff