Faults:

Flaulty passenger window motor.

General Comments:

This car is quick, one of the best cars I have driven for handling.

Very safe, good all round visibility.

Seats are like sitting in a armchair, get out of the car feeling refreshed.

I paid 100 pound for mine with full mot and service history YES 100 pounds that's what I call a GOOD bargain the body work looks like new.

Faults:

Nothing so far has gone wrong with the car as I've only had it for three weeks and don't expect anything major to go wrong.

General Comments:

I bought the car for £425.00 with 1 years mot and 130,000 miles on the clock. The repairs I've done are.

1) Replace all four tires with new including tracking and balancing and an oil and filter change. £175.00 Total.

2) replace spark plugs, rotor arm distributor cap, and all HT leads and also tighten component on front suspension strut £130.00 Total.

3) Bought secondhand tailgate struts £10.00. and a few trim pieces for £15.00 Total.

The car has so far proved to be very reliable and always starts first time, the seats are extremely comfortable and the turning circle is extremely good for a large estate car.

The bodywork is extremely good with no rust for a 17 year old car.

I get around 23 miles per gallon around the city and 35 on a run into the country so very good for a car of its weight and age.

I am only 23 and I've always like volvo's paticually for their safety, and I use this car for work as a plumber. The folding rear seats are clever as you can fold one down and still carry 2 people in the back. All switches still work perfectly.

All in all I'm very pleased and would reccomend you buying one.

Faults:

Brake servo failed (pressure loss) at 105,000.

Rear window switch failed at 112,000.

Fuel pump relay failed at 120,000.

Water pump failed at 140,000.

Window wipers steering column stalk contact burnt out at 145,000.

Front right flexible brake hose bulge found by the Ministry of Transport test at 160,000.

Inlet manifold gasket failed at 165,000.

Flywheel impulse sender failed at 180,000.

Some general wavering on the idle revs and braking rattle that I never got to the bottom of.

Air filter cover clip seatings broke easily as the plastic hardened with age.

General Comments:

It was maintained by home with only the fuel pump and flywheel sender failures warranting investigation and repair by a dealer.

The car is easy to maintain because of its excellent mechanical build quality.

There was never a hint of trouble from the automatic gearbox although it is a pain to do an oil change at home.

A lovely stylish car produced from the basic 740 Mk1 fitted with Mk2 trim and engine.

It was getting admiration long into its old age because of its bodywork condition and overall look.

£7000 depreciation over 9 years and 140,000 miles was very good and it was in demand for £1200 when I sold it even with 197,000 on the clock.

Faults:

Replaced water pump at 33,000 miles.

New timing belt at 50,000.

AC pump at 87,000.

Muffler at 88,000.

Air Cleaner housing + hoses at 105,000.

New timing belt at 107,000.

O2 sensor and distributer seal at 108,000.

Neutral safety switch at 122,000.

New fuel pumps at 125,000.

New impulse transmitter, valve adjustment and distributer seals at 133,000 miles.

Rebuilt turbo at 139,000.

New water pump at 139,000.

New heater/AC blower motor at 143,000

(still makes funny noise)

Rebuilt Master cylinder at 147,000.

New Main seal and Trans seal at 148,000.

Air cleaner lower housing, over pressure valve and windshield washer valve at 150,000.

Rebuilt Alternator and Starter at 157,000.

New timing belt + cover 157,000.

New intake hoses at 158,000 ($175)

New ball joints and shocks at 162,000.

Also replaced engine wiring harness parts & labor = $1200 No record of mileage, but it was around 155,000 watch out for bad engine wires on used 80-87 Volvos.

I have never been able to say that I felt the seat heaters working, but according to Volvo literature they don't turn on until temps get below 50 deg F.

General Comments:

This car has been in our family since 1988 and has been maintained by my father who kept meticulous records of repairs he made over the last 130,000 miles and 15 years.

A 30 hp boost can be obtained by installing a "T" in the waste-gate line. This car will do 0-60 in about 7 seconds, but it is very slow off the line due to turbo lag.

While this car is far from sexy it is the most functional car I have ever owned. It is very fast and gets decent mileage. Little touches like a trunk light that can be turned off add to the versatility of this vehicle.

Rear wheel drive gives this car some advantages over your average Toyota...

A small turning circle so it can make u-turns easily

Easy to work on

No torque steer

Good weight distribution for good handling.

This car does ride quiet ruff and is less than ideal for long road trips with adults. I use this car for commuting and running errands because it lets me get where I am going in a quick, safe and economical manner.