A tale of two Volvos
Discussion
Had 740/960 and 940 Estates for close on 20 years. The current one about 8 years, thick and thin. Totally reliable, easy to fix when occasionally there's a fix needed. HD rear suspension, twin rear ARB, strut brace, chassis brace and 960 front ARB. 204K miles. Virtually rust free. Wife persuaded me to buy something newer. Time will tell which I prefer but if I end up selling the 940 it'll be like taking a faithful old dog to the vets.
Skyedriver said:
Had 740/960 and 940 Estates for close on 20 years. The current one about 8 years, thick and thin. Totally reliable, easy to fix when occasionally there's a fix needed. HD rear suspension, twin rear ARB, strut brace, chassis brace and 960 front ARB. 204K miles. Virtually rust free. Wife persuaded me to buy something newer. Time will tell which I prefer but if I end up selling the 940 it'll be like taking a faithful old dog to the vets.
I love the old 940s and earlier 740s. The old red top 740 reminded of a more-benign Mk 2 Escort in the, ah-hem, adventurous angles it would adopt around roundabouts 
If I had space, another would be high on my list of hacks. Or maybe a Merc W124. Hmm, decisions
My favourite was the 240 estate. Through the 80's I must have had over a dozen of them, culminating in a 2.3 GLT. The days of green wellies and a Barbour being essential accessories. So easy and cheap to maintain by today's standards and I wouldn't hesitate to have one again.
Then I bought a 740 estate Auto. Somehow that 'broke the spell' for me although I discovered the other day that the bloke I sold it to STILL HAS IT some 30 years later! I moved on to my 4x4 period but the wardrobe on wheels Volvo is still tempting me.
Then I bought a 740 estate Auto. Somehow that 'broke the spell' for me although I discovered the other day that the bloke I sold it to STILL HAS IT some 30 years later! I moved on to my 4x4 period but the wardrobe on wheels Volvo is still tempting me.
The old 740/940 Estate range are well known for their carrying capacity. I've had a double bed in the back and it's the only car that I've been able to get two dog cages in, side by side while keeping the rear seats useable. Of course there was a 7 seat option which rather filled the rear carrying area and with the seats facing backwards meant that the little darlings could watch as the car behind failed to stop and break their legs.
They were so well built using quality materials though. I can crawl under the blue 1997 940 and if I need to undo something there's no fuss. Just spanner, apply a little load and it'll come undone. No rusty nuts, seized bolts, rounded off heads etc. Interested to find out if the 2013 V70 is anywhere near as good.
They were so well built using quality materials though. I can crawl under the blue 1997 940 and if I need to undo something there's no fuss. Just spanner, apply a little load and it'll come undone. No rusty nuts, seized bolts, rounded off heads etc. Interested to find out if the 2013 V70 is anywhere near as good.
Skyedriver said:
The old 740/940 Estate range are well known for their carrying capacity. I've had a double bed in the back and it's the only car that I've been able to get two dog cages in, side by side while keeping the rear seats useable. Of course there was a 7 seat option which rather filled the rear carrying area and with the seats facing backwards meant that the little darlings could watch as the car behind failed to stop and break their legs.
They were so well built using quality materials though. I can crawl under the blue 1997 940 and if I need to undo something there's no fuss. Just spanner, apply a little load and it'll come undone. No rusty nuts, seized bolts, rounded off heads etc. Interested to find out if the 2013 V70 is anywhere near as good.
Oh yes. The only thing that got me out of these Volvo wagons was discovering S124 Mercedes estates. That and my wife blowing up both PRV-engined 760s I had They were so well built using quality materials though. I can crawl under the blue 1997 940 and if I need to undo something there's no fuss. Just spanner, apply a little load and it'll come undone. No rusty nuts, seized bolts, rounded off heads etc. Interested to find out if the 2013 V70 is anywhere near as good.
Still hanging onto the 940.
New V70 just not getting me excited.
No proper dipstick, lots of computerised stuff on a screen to scroll through but still haven't got to grips with.
No water temp gauge but there is an "Ecometer" and a thing to tell you to change gear for economy. And cup holders.
Headlights are rubbish.
FWD just seems to scrabble for grip in an icy car park whereas the 940 (on crossclimates) just moved.
Missing the RWD on tight roundabouts, little bit of throttle and better turning circle helped.
Still, wife keeps raving about how comfortable it is and smoother.
thinking of re taxing the 940....
New V70 just not getting me excited.
No proper dipstick, lots of computerised stuff on a screen to scroll through but still haven't got to grips with.
No water temp gauge but there is an "Ecometer" and a thing to tell you to change gear for economy. And cup holders.
Headlights are rubbish.
FWD just seems to scrabble for grip in an icy car park whereas the 940 (on crossclimates) just moved.
Missing the RWD on tight roundabouts, little bit of throttle and better turning circle helped.
Still, wife keeps raving about how comfortable it is and smoother.
thinking of re taxing the 940....
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