1987 Volvo 340 GL 1.7 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It's a Beast!!

Faults:

Starter motor wore out at about 20,000 miles.

Distributor cap cracked.

Radiator sprung a leak at about 20,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car with great performance (although 1.4 is under powered) and entertaining handling. Rear wheel drive is so refreshing in this age of built-to-cost front drive cars. The 340 would make a great rally car.

However fuel economy is not so good (I got about 18mpg)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2003

1987 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 from France

Summary:

A way of life

Faults:

So far, I just had to change the battery.

Carburetor needs a little cleaning.

Painting on the bottom of the drivers door went wrong, but cost me 50 € to fix it.

General Comments:

The Volvo 340 has been my fathers choice for 20 years and I promised myself that when I'll be able to drive, I'll never go in this car again...

I bought my Volvo 340 for 500 €, and today I just find it excellent. For people who have a certain sense of humour this is a great car. I really enjoy driving on long-distance with it even though the 1.4l Renault (yes! Renault made the engine, it's the same as the Super5 GTS) engine is not powerful enough for a car of this size. It's a shame on motorway, but when driving in town, it doesn't matter.

My father has a 345 GLS of 1984 and with a 2.0l Volvo engine it changes everything!

I really appreciate the comfort when driving. The heater is really heating and in winter there is nothing better.

In a way, is a car you appreciate from the inside!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th August, 2002

11th Dec 2003, 05:40

I could not agree more about your comments about appreciating the car from inside. I have just bought a 1987 340 GLE 1.7 saloon for £130. Large comfortable leather heated seats, a heater that warms up within yards rather than miles and an immense feeling of security and safety. I haven't had the car long enough to comment on reliability yet, but if it's anything like the 440 GLi I had a while ago I'm sure that this will be excellent. It feels a little underpowered, but the 440 I had was a 1.7 injection and I have been driving a 2.9i Granada for the last year or so. I will post a full report when I have had the car a while. By the way I love rear drive cars they teach you how to really drive safely, I should know I have owned two Capri's, allegedly the most tail happy car of them all.

1987 Volvo 340 GLE 1.7 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The starter motor died (worn brushes and commutator). Not a problem since a scrap yard replaced one for £15 (GBP).

Occasionally it will not start for four or five attempts (Unsure cause)

Alternator was replaced at about 70000 miles by the previous owner.

General Comments:

Has a turning circle not unlike a London taxi. Once you have the arms to turn without taking a break half way. The steering is heavy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2002

1987 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A driver's car!

Faults:

Rear suspension wants replacement, as long as it gets rusty. After that you will notice the difference: 'The wheels spin for fun'.

Lots of Webber cleaning. Otherwise engine stalls.

Fuses burn without any obvious reason.

General Comments:

When I first bought the car, I was seeing that it had 5 gears (on the knob). After a lot of trying realising that it had the 4 gear gearbox, that is much better-accelerates fast, even if it is 1.4.

Rear drive, brings the car in the class of the BMW 316, and believe me, this car is for 'Drivers' only!!! Try to run it at a dirty road. It goes like a tank... I had a lot of fun with it.

When I bought it, I travelled 1500 miles, in two days without the need of adding any oil. Does anybody said that is not reliable???

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2002