1989 Volvo 740 Wagon review from Australia and New Zealand

The turbo seals have started to leak, and it just blew a heater hose.

Passenger seat is totally split, even though the driver's is intact (strange, perhaps my bottom shields it from the sun).

The rear main seal has failed and is about to be replaced at 310,000kms.

Fuel injector relay failed at 271,000 ks (mechanic replaced the in-tank fuel pump first and charged me for the part)

Plastic trim doesn't like the harsh Aussie sun. These vehicles really deserve a garage anyway due to their leather and plush interiors.

I bought the car as a work vehicle, and drive it daily and through all sorts of conditions. Australia's weather is now hotter than I remember, but the air con is great, if a little noisy on the 4th speed.

The handling is great (Pirelli P6000s help there) and the suspension travel is enormous. I have never bottomed out the suspension on speed humps, unlike my later model ('91) bone jarring Holden Commodore. The high speed stability of the chassis is great; the car is rock solid on the road and rarely deviates. Mid corner bumps also don't upset the handling.

The fuel economy is averaging 12l/100kms, which is OK considering the amount of stop-start driving I perform. Highway performance is ample with the kick-down coming on whenever needed. I love blowing away unsuspecting drivers at the lights with the turbo boost.

A BMW 3 series driver changed lanes without checking, but my bumper corner caught his front wheel, snapping the BMW tie-rod and then ripped off the BMW front bumper. Damage to the Volvo: a couple of scratches on the bumper skin. These cars are super tough and I feel very safe.