240 vs 740 - Page 8

volvo always · Oct 16th, 2016, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephend

In my humble opinion, my Avensis has many of the best qualities of the older Volvos: solidity, reliability, practicality, safety, confort. I'd be a bit wary of diesels, though: they have a reputation for head gasket failure. I did my research and bought a petrol.

Thanks for letting me know. What MPG do you get out of your petrol avensis and what engine size is it? I am thinking petrol with lpg to keep it simple.
We bought a new corolla 1.4 D4D and it was faultless in the 2 years of ownership, which you would hope being new! I would want to pay no more than £1500 for a second car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish boy

Great comments and interesting reading.

I love the side profile of my 740. Looks like a proper classic.

http://i64.tinypic.com/339kgmv.jpg

I really like the 740 and 240 saloons. Your 740 looks fantastic and a nice colour. Are they 740 turbo alloys (drayco)?

irish boy · Oct 17th, 2016, 08:53

Cheers. Bought the wheels off a member on here actually and refurbished them.

Bought it with 36k and took it to 50k the first year, not one issue in that time. I then realised how rare they were in that condition so now it does 2k summer miles per year.

Prufrock · Oct 17th, 2016, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo always

negative

Interior plastics brittle.
Headliner can sag.
Early wiring harness can degrade and insulation can fall off!

James

The above points I find really irritating, if that's all you can say that's negative about a 700 then you're a little sad -

1. Interior plastic break when car is owned by clumsy oafs.

A. I have four, yes four 1986 700s, not one of them has broken plastics (I've had three other 700s, two sold to forum members, and no broken plastics there either).

2. Headliner can sag (well actually the glue fails and the cloth falls).

A. Is that really a problem, all you can complain about with a 30 year old car?

3. Wiring harness.

A. Not had a problem.

Negative with the 200, designed in the 60s, and drives like a an older car; in addition it goes very rusty - I've got one (1989 245DL).

Jon

N.B the above three points are those that the 200 tribe usually trot out when disrespecting 700 fans.

CTCNetwork · Oct 17th, 2016, 15:22

Hi,

A little less vitriolic with your replies Jon. Don't want to go getting into trouble again do we.
And cut the "former 700/900" lark too.

Des. . .

stephend · Oct 17th, 2016, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo always

Thanks for letting me know. What MPG do you get out of your petrol avensis and what engine size is it? I am thinking petrol with lpg to keep it simple.
We bought a new corolla 1.4 D4D and it was faultless in the 2 years of ownership, which you would hope being new! I would want to pay no more than £1500 for a second car.

Engine size is 2.0 l. Mpg: difficult to say! I think 33-34 mpg is realistic for A-road / m'way - but a lot of my driving currently is a shortish commute through town traffic, which pushes it well down into the 20s...

volvo always · Oct 17th, 2016, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephend

Engine size is 2.0 l. Mpg: difficult to say! I think 33-34 mpg is realistic for A-road / m'way - but a lot of my driving currently is a shortish commute through town traffic, which pushes it well down into the 20s...

Ouch! I'm thinking Petrol but LPG is the answer. Seems to do the rough mpg of a 240 but probably a bit better if I worked out my mpg on my 240!

30 mpg is my guess for my 240 GLT Auto but probably much worse in traffic and my heavy right foot!

I can't understand more usage of LPG. Do the mainstream manufacturers produce LPG equipped cars? Seems more hybrid petrol/electric.

Thanks. James

DW42 · Oct 17th, 2016, 23:38

I have a Toyota Avensis Verso 2.4 petrol as well as the Volvos. I've only calculated it in metric, being in Australia now, but the avensis uses between 9 and 10 litres per hundred km, while the 240s (both 2.3 LH 2.4 autos) use between 10 and 11. Not much difference really.

The avensis is not as nice to drive as a nicely set up 240, but it's quiet and the big doors are good for access. The only advantages of the avensis that I've found are easier access to the PCV valve (not that you need it), and draining the oil and changing the filter are less messy (oil doesn't end up on the engine mount). Access to everything else is either about the same (brakes and most suspension), or much worse in the avensis -- reliability is essential! If the avensis ever needs a new steering rack it will go to the scrappy. I found this out because the PS fluid was black, and I inquired about the rack. I changed the fluid and all's good. Phew.

Prufrock · Oct 18th, 2016, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Hi,

A little less vitriolic with your replies Jon. Don't want to go getting into trouble again do we.
And cut the "former 700/900" lark too.

Des. . .

What's with the Hi Des ?

I don't think my comments are vitriolic - the comment is neither caustic nor hostile - no more so than the comments I've responded to (I see the plastics fixated Hazelgrove bully is on my case yet again). The"lark"Des, I am the former RK am I not ? Perhaps you could be a little more even handed in your moderation - I appreciate I'm not in your tribe but really.

So we're clear yes, I get a little hot under the collar about the white noise about 700 plastics, having four 700s and another three through my hands - that's seven - I'm better qualified than most to comment.

There are clearly two tribes, one is a very small minority of 700 fans, the other being 200 fans who are many. I happen to like both but prefer the 700 for my sins.

But never the twain seems to meet.

Jon.

N.B if anyone wants any undamaged 700 plastics I'm currently breaking two early cars.

Dirty Rooster · Oct 18th, 2016, 17:31

I don't have a dog in this fight but ;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prufrock

So we're clear yes, I get a little hot under the collar about the white noise about 700 plastics, having four 700s and another three through my hands - that's seven - I'm better qualified than most to comment..

I've had two 245s and four 740/940 and I found the brittle plastic issue was all about the colour (after age).
I loved the oxblood interior in one of them but the plastic in the doors would come off in your hands bit by bit!
I think black was the strongest by far.

57RKL · Oct 20th, 2016, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prufrock

I don't think my comments are vitriolic - the comment is neither caustic nor hostile - no more so than the comments I've responded to (I see the plastics fixated Hazelgrove bully is on my case yet again).

Hazel Grove bully ? What have I done this time ?

Oct 17th, 2016, 15:22	#74
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, A little less vitriolic with your replies Jon. Don't want to go getting into trouble again do we. And cut the "former 700/900" lark too. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Oct 17th, 2016, 23:38	#77
DW42 Senior Member Last Online: Oct 9th, 2022 04:41 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Currumbin, Queensland	I have a Toyota Avensis Verso 2.4 petrol as well as the Volvos. I've only calculated it in metric, being in Australia now, but the avensis uses between 9 and 10 litres per hundred km, while the 240s (both 2.3 LH 2.4 autos) use between 10 and 11. Not much difference really. The avensis is not as nice to drive as a nicely set up 240, but it's quiet and the big doors are good for access. The only advantages of the avensis that I've found are easier access to the PCV valve (not that you need it), and draining the oil and changing the filter are less messy (oil doesn't end up on the engine mount). Access to everything else is either about the same (brakes and most suspension), or much worse in the avensis -- reliability is essential! If the avensis ever needs a new steering rack it will go to the scrappy. I found this out because the PS fluid was black, and I inquired about the rack. I changed the fluid and all's good. Phew. __________________ Present: 1990 240GL saloon, 1992 240 estate Past: 1988 240GL; 1971 144DL; 1972 145DL

Oct 17th, 2016, 08:53	#72
irish boy VOC Member Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2021 22:28 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: moira	Cheers. Bought the wheels off a member on here actually and refurbished them. Bought it with 36k and took it to 50k the first year, not one issue in that time. I then realised how rare they were in that condition so now it does 2k summer miles per year.

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