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Which first time Volvo classic?

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Old May 20th, 2018, 12:18   #11
Clan
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Originally Posted by sthodgson View Post
Thanks. It does seem to be quite a premium buy, maybe a little over budget for a 1.4.

Sam
You can still enjoy a 1.4 , although a 1.7 is more useful if you carry a few passengers often . The first easy modification would be to fit a 1.7 transaxle to gain a fifth gear if you are not lucky enough to have one already .
The 300 series , never break down and never need parts .. probably better than current cars for reliability . Hopefully the only cars left for sale now are the ones which were properly rustproofed from the factory .
They are big cars inside despite their look , one problem , heavy steering when parking but ok as long as the car is moving , New tyres and 36 psi in the tyres greatly eases this .
40 to 45 mpg is possible if everything is up to scratch .
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Old May 22nd, 2018, 01:23   #12
volvo always
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I probably wouldn't buy a 240 due to rust issues unless you can find a very good example. I have a GLT auto that's very, very reliable but the 940 is the quieter, more comfortable car. The 240 GLT is very simple mechanically with none of the electrical items to fail like on a 940 Turbo.

My first car I drove after passing my test was a 1986 1.4 Volvo 340GL. (C159 BTA)It was an ok car and apart from an irritating hot restart issue within a few minutes of starting and then stopping at the shop 5 minutes away, 10 minutes later wouldn't always start until rested for 10-15 minutes it would then restart.
It was never recovered and needed nothing major. Aftermarket back box lasted 18 months due to placement. Got very wet.


We spent virtually nothing on it and cost £1100 in 1998 when we lived in Cornwall.
It was my Grandparents car and 5 years later sold the 340 for £50 as clutch high and had 7 months MOT and arches rusty.
I bought a 740 estate (D795 RJW) as moving to France, so estate useful as renovating a house.

I personally would buy a late 940 as some have better creature comforts and drives far quieter than a 240. Less rust issues.

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Old May 22nd, 2018, 10:12   #13
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I loved my 940, unmistakably Volvo, able to pile on the miles, practical and economical, I bought what I still believe to have been one of the best in the country for the princely sum of 1500 quid. Lovely, proper cars.
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Old May 22nd, 2018, 10:33   #14
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My opinion, good 240s are pricey if you have a modest budget - although the right car, although a project just might be economically viable to restore. Volvo 900s I don't consider classic enough, which leaves the 740. The 740 drives better by far than a 240 and has the classic character the 900 lacks.

However, very good and good 740s (estates and saloons) are becoming thin on the ground and they are yet to be economically viable to restore: plus cosmetic parts (exterior and interior) are often not available new and tricky to source used.

I've no experience of the 300 series - has a following though, and good one's are available. I don't see the 400 range as classic at all, likewise the 800 series with perhaps the exception being the performance models.

Jon.

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Old May 22nd, 2018, 20:28   #15
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I found my 900 loaded with character, certainly compared to some modern, soulless boxes, but you make a good point Jon. I disagree with regard the 800 series, a genuine milestone for Volvo, traditional looks yet a modern driving experience powered by what has become an iconic engine in some applications. Criminally undervalued.
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Old May 22nd, 2018, 20:53   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clan View Post
You can still enjoy a 1.4 , although a 1.7 is more useful if you carry a few passengers often . The first easy modification would be to fit a 1.7 transaxle to gain a fifth gear if you are not lucky enough to have one already .
The 300 series , never break down and never need parts .. probably better than current cars for reliability . Hopefully the only cars left for sale now are the ones which were properly rustproofed from the factory .
They are big cars inside despite their look , one problem , heavy steering when parking but ok as long as the car is moving , New tyres and 36 psi in the tyres greatly eases this .
40 to 45 mpg is possible if everything is up to scratch .
This ^

Except I disagree with the inside space, saloon boot is gargantuan but the rear seating is compromised by the transmission tunnel so they are more like a 4 seater.

I got 39mpg in my last 360 a 1984 GLE over 70 miles of motorway, A and B roads.
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Old May 22nd, 2018, 23:47   #17
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I remember my 343 having a sweet wee engine but quite thirsty, but it had factory lpg fitted so ran relatively economically. Great wee car, felt cut above escorts and astras and the like.
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Old May 23rd, 2018, 00:33   #18
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The cheapest 340 to buy would be CVT, they do take a bit more looking after but are that bit more interesting. Nothing wrong with the 1.4, 1.7 or 2ltr engine options.

440/460 is a buyers market. Buy a near perfect one if you are going to bother

240's well they are the legend so unless you WANT a 240 look at the other models.

7/900 series the interest is growing. Now would be teh time to buy.

Going older 140's can still be picked up in good nick for not silly money.

If its just a weekend classic you dont need it to be good on fuel or do what you expect of a daily (I have and would daily all of the above)
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Old May 24th, 2018, 00:01   #19
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This ^

Except I disagree with the inside space, saloon boot is gargantuan but the rear seating is compromised by the transmission tunnel so they are more like a 4 seater.

I got 39mpg in my last 360 a 1984 GLE over 70 miles of motorway, A and B roads.
The GLE was an eco model with high gearing , satisfying changing up to 5th at over 100 mph :-)
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Old May 24th, 2018, 00:04   #20
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I remember my 343 having a sweet wee engine but quite thirsty, but it had factory lpg fitted so ran relatively economically. Great wee car, felt cut above escorts and astras and the like.
Remember it was a early 70's design which lasted until 1990 and the factory never did LPG conversions it was the local dealers , there was one technician from each dealer who went up to Halifax in 1978 next to the football ground to be trained , they took a 240 or a 340 and came back with it converted !
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