1987 Volvo 740 GLE from North America - Comments

This car has always been severely abused.

Crankshaft bearing disintegrated at 30K Miles due to running the engine dry. Bearing was replaced, engine continues to run fine at 175000 miles.

2 of the 3 scheduled timing chain replacements were completely ignored, chain failed well beyond scheduled interval. Chain replaced, engine continues to run fine.

The interior fit and trim is starting to have problems. Plastic bit are becoming brittle from continuous outdoor storage in the sun.

Headliner is coming loose.

The electric seats are now a little flaky. No doubt due to dozens of drinks over the years being dumped into the switch assemblies. (They are located between the seats are there are NO drink holders in this car)

The rubber trim around the windshield is dry rotting.

Something in the right rear window assembly came apart. Window no longer opens.

Honestly, the only thing they could have done to make the interior last longer would have required abominably expensive materials. It is still in very good shape considering.

I have finally inherited this family heirloom. This car has been through heck and back a dozen times, and still mozies along like a old horse.

It was bought in what was then West Germany, and lived with us over there. She has seen more time at autobahn speeds than 95% of sports cars in the USA.

My brother and I both drove this car throughout our high school years. Neither of us were kind to it. Paint is missing from all of the doors, there are dents in the hood and the roof where the car has been used as a stepping stool or a picnic bench over the years.

It never got a timely oil change, or even half of its regularly scheduled maintenance. I don't know that the transmission fluid or differential fluid or fuel filter has ever been changed up until recently.

What an incredible car. That it still drives after what we've done to it is amazing. Further still, that it is reliable and still fun to drive is unbelievable.

The turning radius of this car is outstanding, and makes for extremely confident city driving. You can turn 180 degrees on narrow streets without even thinking about it.

The ride when new was really well balanced, but after so many years, (and jumped curbs) she gets a little more like a Cadillac. Which is fine, because we don't drive her like psycho's anymore.

The interior is still quite comfortable. And I think heated seats are going to be a requirement on anything I buy in the future. What a great feature.

The only thing I really never understood, was how the Swedish could make a car that was so bad in the snow.

This is a car that should have a dedicated set of snow tires. The traction is definitely sub par, even in the rain.

I am of the opinion that this is one of the finest cars ever made. It is close to the old Mercedes 240D, in reliability and fit/finish. Not quite there, but close.

With the difference in maintenance costs, it is on the same playing field as the 240D to say the least.

If the factory manufactured the exact same car brand new this year, my whole family would probably drive one. I would say the same thing about the Mercedes 240D. After those two, nothing even comes close.

I am planning on keeping this car till it can be put to sleep. I am confident it will be a while.

I also own a 1987 740 GLE and entirely agree. It's an incredibly well built car. Mine has over 223,000 miles on it and its still running strong!

I also own a Volvo 740 (1987). The car won't die. It has now 257.000 kms...

I'm another one who's driving a 740 gle 1987 and recently I topped the 300K kilometers and I'm proud of it. effectively that car is unbreakable.

I also own a 87 740 gle and have 265,000 miles on her and she still goes.

My 1987 GLE just turned over 311,000 miles (day before yesterday - 2/19/05). I've had it for about seven years, have replaced what's worn out; car's never needed engine work beyond oil changes. Throughout 2003, I put about 3,000 miles a month on the car with absolutely no trouble. Amazing. Volvo should probably reintroduce this model. I'm getting ready to sell this car and buy a '97 850 5-spd which I hope will prove roadworthy as 740.

My 740gl estate has just passed 222000 miles and is still driving perfectly, i just love this car, the best model Volvo have produced in my opinion, i was rear ended at traffic lights the other week, got hit by a modern Ford KA, i had a little scuff on rear bumper, Ford was messed up, driver since told me that the front end was more badly damaged than first thought, insurers may write Ford off!!.You can keep your "modern" cars that depriciate in value by the day and are often poorly built, i`m keeping my Volvo!,if it ain`t broke, don`t fix it.

When my Accord was murdered by a drunk, my friends pushed me toward a pick-up truck as I am a woodworker and carry significant loads from time to time. But I didn't want the discomfort of a truck. I had never bought a car with more than 80,000 miles before, but I had known folks with Volvo's. I found a 1987 740GLE wagon with 206,000 miles on it, worried about it, then held my breath.

That was 60,000 miles ago and I've never been happier with a vehicle. Routine maintenance, an air mass meter off of E bay, and a very minor electrical glitch. It takes 175 board feet of hardwood, or six sheets of 3/4" ply on a Yakima rack. The clear coat is rolling off the bonnet, but I'm still looking for the first rust. As soon as I can I want to get a second one. In fact, I'd love to figure out a way to chop the body and build a flat bed on the rear. I hope to keep this car forever and can see nothing to prevent it.

My Volvo 740 GL -87 has been in the family since it was bought. Now it has passed the 400000km limit. The only bigger cost we have had with it was changing the electrical overdrive which cost 1000$. Cam belt change off course. Otherwise we just filled it with fresh oil, new spark plugs coolant, brake pads and normal service parts. Maybe boring to drive, but a tank on the highway. Eats km after km. Great car.

I just recovered my stolen 1987 740 gle.. it was in the repair shop for a new crankshaft and they jacked it. But tonight they found it just a couple of miles down the road.. oh well they got the audio system that was in it. but they really didn't do much more than that,.,thank god my baby is Okay... at having it for 3 years and putting another 150000 miles on it so its now around 322000 miles on it and running strong.. only down side to this car. Here in the usa its really hard to find replacement parts for this car, but it still rides smooth and still has some guts. so overall this car is one of the best cars ever to buy, michael travis --Saint Louis Missouri usa.

We bought our 1987 Volvo 740 4 speed with electronic overdrive brand new in 1987. It was more than we ever paid for a new car at the time. We did not sleep that night and even considered returning it to the dealer because the cost scarred us. We've had it for 20 years and it has 235,635 wonderful miles under its hood. You can eat off the engine, it has strut tower support brace, under engine cherry truss, IPD sport sway bars front and rear, lowering sport springs and Bilstein sport shocks and new paint on the hood, roof and trunk lid. It growls with a CAT sport muffler and rides on four Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. I love this car; it drives like an oversized sports car. It’s my baby and I expected to have it for another 20 years; that was until I bought my wife a new BMW. Now we have 5 cars in the driveway and unfortunately the oldest car, the Volvo must go.

We sold it to a friend of my wife and in the contract we stipulated that she must give us ‘1st right of refusal should she ever want to sell it and same for her estate. So, its like a car loaner. BUT, it's a very sad day in my life to sell such a wonderful car, it might not be totally stock, but I truly believe that this car will with regular maintenance will last practically forever. It may look boxy, but it’s a real workhorse and a beautiful. It has been said that the peak of Rock-n-roll was 1973 or thereabouts; well for Volvo, their peak was the 1987 740 GLE.

I am the original owner of a 1987 740 sedan.

I love that car. I have only 140,000 miles on it which is very low mileage compared to others.

The car runs great and is as solid as a tank.

This car is hardly broken in from an engine point of view.

I will be giving it to my kids over the next 2 years as they learn to drive.

The car does have its problems in the snow with its rear wheel drive. I recently lost control on the ice going downhill at 30mph and accelerating when the car veered to the right and hit a tree on the front end passenger side. When I told my buddy about it, he said "Oh well goodbye Volvo".

Not this car. One front bumper and a pair of shocks later AND THE CAR LOOKS AS GOOD AS NEW.

Love that car!!!

I am very glad to read all the Volvo 1987 740GLE comments. I just bought this 740 thinking my daughter just turned 16 and this would be a great car for her when she is ready to drive.

I found this car in the local online cars 4 sale. The pic or car looked pretty good for its age. I went to see it and it blew me away. The owner just had the tranny rebuilt, a/c compressor and battery. I looked it all over and there is no rust anywhere, but it did have a couple of things broken or damaged on the inside, from the years of driving.

I got the car for $1,000.00! I have been driving the car to and from work and love the car. The only complaint is that I am a big guy 6'1 250lbs, so getting in and out is a little tight due to no tilt steering.

Volvo made a great car and I am glad to read others put over 200k miles on it and still ticking. My 740 has 180k and still runs like a champ. My daughter may not get the car now.

I bought my 740 GLE a couple of years ago when it had 361,000 miles on it. My father-in-law thought I was nuts. Now it has 381,000 miles on it and is still running. This thing is a TANK. Bought it for $550 and have put about $200 into it (mostly for brakes) to keep it running. My family has dubbed this car the Mighty Volvo.

Our 1987 Volvo 740 GLE Estate is now reaching 300.000 km. As her 3rd owner, in 8 years, we made over 70.000 km. She will start in winter or in summer after half a revolution of her starter motor.

Unbelievably reliable and no problems with her apart from regular maintenance - oil changes, ATF flush, fuel filter, spark plugs, brake pads, tyres, timing belt, valves adjustment and exhaust. Few years ago I put in the headliner from Volvo 940.

I also had to replace both alternator leads due to wear caused by an earlier unprofessional repair. With its raised armrest between front seats, with cup holders packed in it (original Volvo accessory), ZF automatic transmission and 2,4 petrol injected (mechanical injection!), it creates the perfect environment for long journeys or just for a visit to the local supermarket.

She has been everywhere, from highways - often receiving speed tickets to dirt roads; from lowland to mountain peaks; she made a lot of mileage on ferries and sometimes on a train. It amazes me every time I drive it how well it is made. I think it is probably the best car ever made by Volvo and by the industry in general.