1986 Volvo 740 GLE review from North America

Replaced original ZF transmission with used AW71 @ 198000 miles. (Overloaded car with paving stones and burned it out.)

Replaced AW71 transmission with another used AW71 @ 218000 miles. (put wrong fluid in it.)

Power steering line corroded through @ 240000 miles. Replaced with junkyard piece.

Several exhaust systems in seven years due to Illinois winter salt fetish.

Replaced worn leather seats with used leather from a 1988.

Broke two timing belts with no engine damage.

Replaced the and the front cam and shaft seals and the blow-by box with an upgrade at 180000 miles.

Replaced engine wiring harness at 170000 because the factory wiring insulation disintegrated.

Replaced rear bumper after my daughter slammed it into a wall the day she got her learners permit. Bumper was badly corroded at the mounting points.

Reconditioned and upgraded the air-conditioning to R134a at 294000 miles. Blows very cold.

I bought my station wagon from a local junkyards used car lot for 900.00 because my 73 145 became terminal from Midwest body cancer.

It is the best choice for a car I could have made. It has taken abuse from my wife, my daughter and myself but still keeps rolling. It has so many interchangeable parts with other Volvo models that I have no problems with parts.

I have three other Volvos, ranging from 1979 to 1991. It is so nice to go for tune up parts with a very short list for all of them.

I am now getting ready to replace the front fenders that were trashed by my daughter rear-ending a pick-up truck, and my wife sliding off of the driveway into the neighbors chain link fence.

I am eagerly waiting for the odometer to turn 300k. I have no problem with the concept of taking it cross-country any time.