240 vs 740

[92Sedan]

From my experience, after looking at and owning several 240s and a 740 I have this to say:

240 Pros:
More ride height
Better snow handling
More cargo space
Better headliners
More space for an aftermarket radio
Rubber engine mounts
Imo better styling
Sturdier door handles

7/940 Pros:
Better factory handling
More knee room
Neat, flush interior door handles
Factory tachometer
Factory arm rest/center console (240 arm rests aint cheap!)
Wider seats
Lock up torque converter, better highway mpg
60/40 rear seats
Most models got 90 degree hoods!
Easier to find taillights
Blower motor easier to fix
Has wiring for fog light's and other stuff.
Better corrosion resistance
Light up window switches
Rear hatch wiring less prone to breaking.

Both use rather weak interior plastics, what makes the 7/900 feel cheaper is there is far more plastic inside vs a 240. Mercifuly, 7/900 parts are cheaper in the states vs the 240.

This info is based off several quite battered examples, and one mint 240.

In short, Id keep a 240 for weekends, use a later 940 as a work car. It ultimately comes down to whichever you can find in good shape with the options you desire.

[KerPLoD]

I had the choice of a 240 or a 740 - both in silver with a B200 engine - came down to looks for me.

[stephend]

And I bought my 740 because it was sitting in the back yard at my local garage with a "please take me home with you" look on its... its... well, it looked in need of a good home. And I haven't regretted it.

[KerPLoD]

Originally Posted by stephend

And I bought my 740 because it was sitting in the back yard at my local garage with a "please take me home with you" look on its... its... well, it looked in need of a good home. And I haven't regretted it.

Part of the reason I got my 240. It was in need of a good home after 24 years of hard graft

[sbus]

I picked up another 240 estate recently in silver. On the 4 hour drive back back I had lots of smiles and also got the thumbs up from a very excited group of young lads on the motorway which made me laugh.

I am not sure but I can't imagine the 740 ever provoking that kind of reaction (Primarily down to it's rakish angular looks that have not aged as timelessly as the 240's Georgian like proportions).

The 740 is a more developed car, but in my very biased opinion aesthetically I think the 240 has it.

[Stephen Edwin]

Originally Posted by sbus

I picked up another 240 estate recently in silver. On the 4 hour drive back back I had lots of smiles and also got the thumbs up from a very excited group of young lads on the motorway which made me laugh.

I am not sure but I can't imagine the 740 ever provoking that kind of reaction (Primarily down to it's rakish angular looks that have not aged as timelessly as the 240's Georgian like proportions).

The 740 is a more developed car, but in my very biased opinion aesthetically I think the 240 has it.

Therein is truth. Beauty might be determined by the reaction of beholders.

Re appearance, the 740 is Marmite. The 240 is iconic. I remember when my 740 had done seriously good service and I brought home the 240SE ... I noticed neighbours inspecting it wth obvious interest. I get comments from passers by and in car park encounters.

Like most controbutors to this thread, I still think both cars have virtues. My 740 did the job. It travelled well including aorund tight bends. I drove it 300 miles when unwell but not realising how ill I was, and I survived. It had split rear seats and built in fog lamps. The hazard warning switch plastic was rubbish.

My various 240s all had a proper ground clearance, good upright not laid back seats, felt engineered, and the estates have a good load bay length. When I test drove the present SE ... I knew that I was coming home to the right car for me, the 240. I prefer the 240. And wow does it look good!


...

[KerPLoD]

Mind you I think half the reason the 240 gets the thumbs up from some of the younger lot is that it was on Gran Turismo and Forza. Imagine the millions of people who've seen that car in a game full of Lambos. It's like the little hero car that could

It's pretty much the sole reason I'm in love with Volvos - I had a red 240 on Gran Turismo 4, 11 years ago.

[Stephen Edwin]

Sorry I've not heard of "Gran Turismo and Forza" before your post. Have I missed out?

Anyway my neighbours are not necessarily young, nor are the local MOT testers or many of the people I encounter who just want to say something positive about the 240.

My 740 never drew coments. I reckon it was a very useful car that served me well. It had a Marmite appearance.

Two good cars designs. 240 and 740 both of them. I prefer the 240 for looks and for practicality matters that happen to suit me.

That's the point isn't it? Which one suits the driver and perhaps suits the passengers.

The above is my personal exerience and observation and not in any way statistically valid.

[stephend]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

The above is my personal exerience and observation and not in any way statistically valid.

"And ai am unanimous in that!", as Mrs Slocombe used to put it.

Of course, the 740 is better-looking really...

[KerPLoD]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

Sorry I've not heard of "Gran Turismo and Forza" before your post. Have I missed out?

Basically they were popular driving simulators for Playstation and Xbox (in other words, racing games trying to be realistic).

By popular, I mean both game series have sold possibly almost 100 million copies around the world between them.

I reckon nearly half of those sales involved a game featuring a 240.

That's a lot of people who've potentially had a Volvo in a racing game