1990 Volvo 440 GLEi 1.7 injection petrol

Summary:

Great all rounder, very cheap!

Faults:

Steering rack worn.

Clutch worn out.

General Comments:

The injection is good, the car is very fast, although the revs are too high at 80-100mph, the gear ratios are slightly off.

There are loads of extras, the cabin is very comfortable and it handles very lightly.

Only downside is the high Volvo parts cost, some other manufacturers are far cheaper.

This model really doesn't deserve the 'old man' image!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th June, 2001

24th Sep 2001, 09:43

Wait until you have to stump up £174+VAT to replace 2 feet of mild steel exhaust downpipe, like I just had to :o(

1990 Volvo 440 GLT 1.7i

Summary:

New meaning to I Roll! Most pleasurable 1000 miles of my life!

Faults:

Slight rust around the rim of the sunroof - paid 1K for the car, so not worth fixing properly (used filler instead).

Doors squeak (sorted with regular lubrication).

General Comments:

A whole lot of car for a first car.

The mockery from college "buddies" soon halted on inspection of the motor. This is NOT A GRANDADS CAR!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2001

23rd Aug 2001, 15:23

I have already posted a review, but since then a couple of niggles have surfaced...

...Rear windscreen wipers don't wipe!

...Hole in the exhaust (straight line across the back-box - easy to weld)

...Alternator sits directly beneath the water reservoir. One day, for some reason, a little pipe dis-attached itself from the reservoir, emptying my water across the alternator. Alternator blew, taking a few lights on the dash with it. Refurbished alternator = £50. Dash (surrounding and above steering column) had to be removed to reach the bulbs. They have never fitted again properly - constant creaking and vibrating!

...But I still love the beast to bits. It is my unicorn that didn't get away! The guy from Slovenia knows what he is talking about - the birds go for it! My advice for the noises... turn the stereo on LOUD!

1990 Volvo 440 GL 1.7 injection

Summary:

Underrated gem

Faults:

Driver heated seat failure.

Rear brakes (disc type), the handbrake mechanism on the calipers is rubbish (usual story - crap auto adjusters).

General Comments:

This car is much faster than you would expect by looking at it - will do 0-60 in sub 9 secs and top speed of over 120mph.

These cars like speed - cruise happily at a ton, but when driven slow twitches about on the road a bit, steering as secretive as the KGB. heavy without power steering.

Engines love cold weather.

Engine is noisy at revs (typical Renault), but with the Fenix multipoint injection it's very smooth.

Despite what the motor reviewers say, these cars are reliable and very underrated; the likes of comparable Fords and Vauxhalls bought for similar money can't hold a candle to these motors.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2001

13th Feb 2001, 11:59

chrisf_70@yahoo.com

Hi, I own a 92 GLT and would like to know if you (or anyone else) knows what the deal with the driver's seat heater is. Mine, and others on these reviews, has stopped working as well. Is it an easy fix?

Also my car likes to overheat quickly in traffic in the summer. The fan fails to come on until too late. Again do you or anyone else know of the fix.

Would really appreciate any answers.

Thank you.

27th Mar 2001, 04:52

The heated seat elements really are too tricky too fix when bust. I tried pulling the seat apart to mend one but to no avail. The best option is to get a replacement seat from a breakers yard. There are two elements in the seat; one in the base and one on the back and these are wired in series so when one gets an open circuit the other won't work. If you don't mind having just the one element working (whichever isn't broke) you can bypass the broken one with the wiring under the seat.

On the point of the coolant - these engines just love to leak. Make sure the water level is correct quite frequently and please, top up only with coolant/water mix NOT just water. Where the fan doesn't cut in till too late it is probably due to the sensor mounted on the side of the radiator - this is the one which regulates the fan. The injected models also have an auxiliary electric water pump mounted near the gearbox, try to ensure this is working also as this usually runs on with the fan after switching off a hot engine to prevent heat soak around the injectors etc.