1987 Volvo 740 GLE from North America - Comments

Although I have always been told that Volvos are cars "built to last", the past two used Volvos I have purchased have been anything, but sturdy. While I'm sure many Volvos will run forever and reach 200,000 miles +, they must be completely rebuilt cars!

My 740 has had over $1,500 work in the past WEEK ALONE. AAA towing is programmed on my cell phone, they are a lovely organization who has towed my 740 over 13 times since I purchased it in 1996.

The wiring problems come first to mind- the 2 Volvo's I have owned have had awful electrical problems; this one included a meltdown of sorts several years back.

I am currently in the process of fixing the fuel pump, the pre-pump, relay, and filter, as well as an oil leak.

Just last week, I replaced the alternator, the battery (which had been running off the alternator) and bushing brackets.

When the car is actually working (rarely) it is comfortable and I have enjoyed it. I giggle when I hear people talk about how safe Volvos are- I always feel like I'm in a death trap.

I love the looks of the new Volvos on the market, but...

This is my second used Volvo (the first one was just as much of a nightmare) and I know what my next vehicle will be- a nice, reliable Honda.

Regarding the dealership I purchased this from: I have concerns I was swindled there. When I purchased it, the odometer read 48,000 miles, a VERY low sum for a car like this, and almost ten years old.

The dealer insisted the vehicle had been used for "city driving only", and that's why the mileage was so low. The body of the car was in beautiful shape, and the interior was great as well. However, the brake pedal was quite worn, and with all the various problems I have encountered, I now have concerns that the car's true mileage was neevr told to me.

I couldn't agree with you more.

When I inherited my 740 from my mother, she commented that the car had been a costly car to maintain, I wondered. Well, the interior of the car, as I have found out, is made of cheap material compared to any other cars I have had. They break and wear easily. The engineering technology is nothing compared to these Japanese cars I have had. Volvo last forever? Well, I guess if I keep on repairing my Nissan Maxima, just like I am repairing the 740, they would both last forever! To be fair, the body exterior of the 740 is "brick" solid, but you pay for it with a heavier gasoline bill. The dealerships love it. You visit them frequently; and when the time comes that you are frustrated, they tell you to sell it to their "knowledgeable technicians" because they know how to take care of it cheaper than you can. After reading the book "Volvo problem solver" by IPD.com, I know for sure that the comment "Volvo is a good car" is really not true.

I bought a 1987 740 two years ago for $3,300. It needed new tires, hoses, and brakes, which I obtained. Thirty thousand miles later, I've not needed to do anything, but scheduled maintenance. It looks new and sounds tight, and I expect an indefinite reliable future. The key, I think, is to follow the maintenance schedule. This is my sixth Volvo; based on my experience to-date, I'll not consider another make.

I own a Volvo 740 (1987) since 2002. Since then the car has done 110.000 kilometers. I had to replace the tyres, the timing belt, the brake shoes, the gearbox (once)... otherwise I had to do only the routine maintenance (replacing the air filter, spark plugs... etc...). I must say the car is just reliable. In this crazy world everything can happen!

I own a 1987 Volvo 740 GLE (203,000 miles) and a 1985 Volvo 240 Wagon (230,000 miles). It's not that the cars are cheap or unreliable at all. How many 20 year old cars do you still see on the road, looking good and remaining durable?

The key to owning an older Volvo like these is that you HAVE to be able to a) find parts cheap and b) do basic maintenance yourself.

There are MANY sites on the Internet where users always are parting out old cars and places like FCPGroton. com are the WalMart of Volvo parts. Volvo parts are cheap once you know where to look.

If you can do your own brakes, and are handy doing minor repairs - then these cars are truly fun to work on. In sum, the B230F (red block) engine can easily go to 400,000 miles. The bodies are rock solid - but the wiring and plastic just get old after 20 years.

Don't own one of these cars if you have to let a repair shop do all of your work. These are are for do-it-yourselfers or, I fix these cars up to near new quality and then sell them to families who want something safe as a daily driver or for their kids in college. These cars have 4 cylinder engines and both of mine are automatics and get 25-28 mpg on the highway.

Jamie

Commerce, TX.

I have 1987 740 GLE Volvo inherited from my father. First, I had to replace the complete harnessing or wiring throughout the vehicle. The brakes which have been somewhat testy. What I mean by that is that every time I replaced the brakes, turned rotors and replaced worn rotors, there was terrible squeaking and squealing like if the brakes had not been replaced. Finally, it just simply stopped. Recently, there was a loud noise coming from the air conditioning fan. It as well suddenly stopped. Now I am having problems with the a/c. It stopped cooling. My father replaced the compressor twice and it seems like the compressor isn't kicking in.

I do enjoy driving it. The motor feels like it's gonna go forever. Of course, I know it won't, but I like it.

Terry from San Antonio, Texas.

I have a 1983 760 diesel. I know the engine is a VW motor that Volvo used, but its been pretty good so far. Purchased at 180k.

Changed on my own:

Water pump

Timing belt

Starter

Main wiring harness driver side

Power antenna

Brake lines

Brake booster

Rear rotor

All the window switches

Many many other bits all the time

I'm a big DIY guy

I put most cars in this order; Japanese as most reliable, longest lasting, best quality etc

Euro cars somewhere in the middle, depending on years and what country it's made in. I'm not talking Germany; I'm talking Eastern Europe, South America etc

Finally american cars near the bottom in those terms.

If this car wasn't a diesel, it would have been junked a long time ago.

I have a Volvo 740 1987 4 valves VIN YV1744833H1106370 and I consider that is the very best car ever made. Now I must replace the A/C compressor but I am facing difficulty to choose the truly correct replacement because vendors offer products with different specification (w/wo clutch, w/wo diode,etc)

Although I have the original Volvo parts catalog, A/C compressor was not included by the manufacturer, so I do not know the original part number, which would help me to buy the correct replacement. Who can help me?

Etienne Somogyi - Costa Rica.

I purchased a 1990 740 in 2003 from an aunt who bought it band new. It had a little over 100,000 miles on it. I changed all the belts, except timing, put on a water pump, and new breaks, and a a/c compressor (in 2005). I have had no serious problems with it and it's approaching 235,000 miles. The interior is starting to go, cracks in dash, and headliner going. Heated seats and clock still works good. Thinking about sinking about 1,500 into it and trying to make it last for another 5 or 6 years. Great car in my opinion.