1992 Volvo 940 GL 2.3
Summary:
Fantastically reliable car
Faults:
Two brake light replaced at $1.00 Australian each. The flow control valve needed replacing.
The car lost power and cut out unexpectedly for a year or so intermittently until a wire was found to have been rubbing itself raw and shorted the ignition. On replacement (after the miracle of our mechanic finding it) the car runs beautifully once again.
A Volvo mechanic (which was really a Ford Dealership with a new franchise) broke the plastic pipe leading into the top of the radiator after my last service with Volvo in the mid 90's. We went halves. The test driver that day also got out from the car (with cloth seats) in his oily overalls leaving oil stains on the front drivers seat still visible today. The dealership is not longer there, but my Volvo 940 is.
General Comments:
What a beautiful safe family car.
She will go forever, but will cost you an arm and a leg unless you find a Volvo trained mechanic who has started his own workshop.
Never ever buy Genuine Volvo Parts first unless you have deep pockets. Look at the manufacturer and source them from there directly. My example is the above flow control valve I replaced in 1997, it was stamped 'Bosch'. Volvo quoted $1,100 for the part. I bought an identical part from 'Bosch' for $240 on my mechanics advice to try somewhere else. I know cardboard is dear, but $860 for a Volvo cardboard box is a bit rich.
I don't have many of these problems because the car is so reliable. In fact, I am planning to teach my 11 year old son to drive in it in 6 years time. We call her Bertha and she is older than my daughter.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th January, 2004
25th Apr 2006, 23:22
We had a 1992 940, and in some ways, I liked it more than the S90 and 960 that we had / have (respectively). It got great fuel mileage, felt very solid, yet had decent handling, and gorgeous grey leather. It was an extremely well-built car, and really didn't seem to be compromised with the B230F four cylinder engine.