Faults:

I've recently purchased the car after my 1986 240 DL Sedan had a bit of an accident. I purchased the car with high mileage and a lot of work was needed to bring it back up to the proper specs for only $550. One owner and the body was almost flawless. I could not say no. Though I knew that at that price, there would be many problems to get it up to spec. This is the items and cost.

Timing and Balance Belts need to be changed: ($430) (installed)

Complete brake job in rear: Calipers, rotors, and shoes: ($458) (installed)

Rear right taillight circuit board: ($44) (Part)

Valve cover gasket replaced: ($94.58) (Installed)

O2 sensor: ($247.95) (Installed)

Control Arm Bushings: ($135.90 x 2) (Installed)

Fuel Filter ($28.97) (Part)

Engine Treatment with ZMAX ($34.95) (Self installation)

Front Rotors and Brake pads ($274.55) (Installed)

Front passenger caliper ($128.33) (Installed)

Right front signal assembly: ($75.00) (Self installed)

General Comments:

I've only purchased Volvos most of my life. Always had a 250 sedan. This move to the 740 seems to be pretty good once you get it back to it's proper maintenance level. Should be able to squeeze another 100,000 miles out of the motor and transmission.

Prior owner was from Florida and put massive miles on it within 4 years of over 150,000. I believe once all the repairs are done and it finally gets the once over and the local Volvo dealership, it should be one car that I should keep for a very long time.

The only problem that I have with this car is the length of the seatbelts. They are not long enough for a rather large guy like myself though the 240 was never an issue in this area. The 740 seatbelts does not fit and I'm in the market for extensions for myself.

Faults:

Luckily, most of the problem areas have been replaced prior to my getting the car. Ridiculous that a car should have to be towed into the dealer with 20,000 miles!!! It was towed in on two occasions between 20,000 and 25,000 miles. The first time the problem was with the nagging Volvo problem of the fuel pump relay.

The second time that it was in the shop they replaced most of the sensors that are on the engine. Crank position sensor and several others.

At 60,000 miles, the engine wiring harness was replaced. This is also an expected repair on the "earlier" Volvos.

Since we have had her, there have been very few problems. I credit this to the fact that I am an enthusiast, and I am always doing preventative work to keep her out of the shop. I would hate to be someone who just drove my car, and then had to be at the mercy of the dealer when something went out...

Interior trim on Volvo's is ridiculous as well! This car was $27,000 in 1990, and has plastic trim that reminds me of my Ford Fiesta. I realize that this car is 12 years old, but broken trim pieces were a problem on this car from the day they were produced.

I have just replaced the rear pinion seal. (140,000 miles)

Crappy Volvo radiator was replaced with a genuine METAL radiator. Well worth the minimal investment. Again, plastic is a bad choice...

General Comments:

As much ragging as I have done on this car in the last section, we simply LOVE it!!

Performance of the Turbo is fantastic! We have towed cars to the east coast twice now (3,600 miles round-trip), with nary a hiccup. Even with a loaded 16 foot tandem car trailer, this car will scoot!!

Seats are the greatest! Extreme comfort (MUCH better that the Civic's!!), and the heated option is the best!

Sunroof is used year-round! Primarily due to the fantastic Volvo heater.

Space in this car cannot be beat! When we camp, if the weather is bad, we move the gear to the tent, and camp in the car!

Rear kicks out easily in wet or icy pavement, but remains predictable. First couple times that it happens, though-it can be a surprise!

Touring TA Radials are pricey, and wear quickly (30,000 miles) but cannot be beat for the performance on this car.