What does you 700/900 mean to you?

[stephend]

I spotted my 740 at my friendly local village garage, when my Mondeo was in for a service. They had been looking after it for years, and had taken it in as a p/x, so it was sitting there looking like it wanted somebody to take it home. I'd had a Sierra estate before, really missed having an estate, and had always kinda fancied a big Volvo.

It was really bought on a whim, as a second/project car. But not long after, a relative up in Scotland fell ill, and the 740 got pressed into service for going up there, and ferrying stuff around... later on, ferrying furniture to and from the care home, that sort of thing. Sadly, the relative passed away, and then we got into house-clearing, which is still going on, so now the 740 is pretty fully-laden on some of these trips. Then there was the time we had the pipe burst... and the emergency plumber ended up fetching the ceiling down... and I ended up teaching myself how to make plasterboard ceilings... and the 740 was perfect for fetching materials from B&Q. And lots of other stuff like that as well. All in all, it's been one of the best purchases I've ever made!

I was a bit nervous of taking the 740 on such a long trip the first time, but it's done it scores of times now, and the only time it's let us down is when a tyre blew out - which is hardly the 740's fault!

Sails through its MoT every year, and the garage is probably as fond of it as I am. They keep teasing the previous owner that he shouldn't have got rid, because it's still going strong.

[dusty]

This is my 4th volvo had it about a year now I bought it because I wanted one car for work and carting kids and the dog around .I was over in London with it in march by the time I got back to Ireland I had done 1800 miles in two weeks fully loaded with three lads and all our tools got home emptied the car out went down to cork for the week end with the wife and kids in compleat comfort used no oil or water averaged about 32mpg in a car that's 14 years old with 189000 miles on the clock and looking forward to the next 100000 Briliant
I have spent a lot of money on cars in the last ten years I think new cars are crap and a waste of money just a shame you can't buy on e of these new Now
My other volvos
1982 244 glt. 1987 240 glt estate. 1988 760 gle Saloon. 1998 945 celebration

[Prufrock]

I have never owned a Volvo before we were given my Father-in-Law's 1986 745GLa, I'd never driven a Volvo either, despite the fact he'd owned the car since 1987. We took it on when he replaced it with a V70 a couple of years ago.

The car has not been particularly cherished nor abused, he'd bought the car when he was in his late 50s and as he got older the car was mechanically well maintained but he could not really care for it cosmetically.

I admit I had some contempt for the car prior to driving it, but it was a revelation for such an old car, very comfortable, quite refined, well built and very useful - it is basically a third/fourth car, not used everyday but weekly.

I am now a 700 series enthusiast (modern Volvos hold no more interest for me than any other modern, but I do fancy a pre-facelift 964 with the white block I6; have two large engined Mercedes to feed too!) - I also have a 1986 744GL.

Prufrock (I tried to keep it brief!)

[jimgad]

Helped a friend buy a V70...... wanted an estate, did some research and settled on the 940 as the one I wanted.
Loved every second of owning it. I love the fact I can take it anywhere and it has no social no no's. IE....to the supermarket.....to the cinema...or to a black tie event.
Character in abundance....and the ONLY time I've ever joined a forum and community over a car!!

[loki_the_glt]

The Exxon Valdez is currently SORN'ed awaiting a decapitation/head transplant that will start on Monday. It was my daily transport until March, since when it's been parked up pending a decision on its future.

[Neoott]

Hey all, my 740 is my work horse (doing some deliveries for work) my daily drive and also my long term project. I dont know what it is about volvos that many people dont see, until you own one. Im also a lover of older cars, new modern curves and bubbles just dont do it for me, i love cars that look like the only tool they had ot design it was a straight edge. Also a fan of "power" and always try and buy rwd (when i can) This is why old volvos tick all the boxes for me.
Also the look on some peoples faces when your coming up the road sideways, at first its "OMG! An ealderly gentalman is out of control, run for your lives!" then moves to "wait, hes holding it." then finially "was that a volvo estate drifting????" Its the little things that make me smile while driving a volvo.
Dave

[Neoott]

Also build quallity, cant be faulted on the most part. Its like if ikea made cars, oh wait...

[sunnyvic]

I have driven volvo cars since 1968 and cant think of a better car to drive i started with a 122sthen moved to several different 164s they were the luxury cars of volvo then imoved to a volovo 66 estate but 12 years ago i moved to a 745gle est purpose bought to carry my mobility scooter and i would not change for all the tea in china,it still looks in nice condition even after 25years,why have i stayed with volvo,,well when i came to sell my 122s a workmate said would i sell it to him as my wife wants a car to safely take my daughter to school so to me the volvo is a car of safety for my wife and myself and i do like the sqare bodyshape and the RWD...regards sunnyvic VOC Disabled register

[Prufrock]

Originally Posted by Neoott

Also build quallity, cant be faulted on the most part. Its like if ikea made cars, oh wait...

Exactly Dave,

if Ickya made cars they'd not last very long!

Torrential rain here, thunder and lightning :-( Every time we get a crack the sash windows rattle with a frenzy - price I pay for living in a period house I guess.

June is turning out to be a cruel month.

Prufrock.

[Ralphead]

Thanks for all the response people. It's interesting, to me anyway, to see why the cars have such a following and also to hear a little background.


Dave, thank you, I'll think of this and giggle to myself at inappropriate moments.

Originally Posted by Neoott

Also the look on some peoples faces when your coming up the road sideways, at first its "OMG! An elderly gentalman is out of control, run for your lives!" then moves to "wait, hes holding it." then finially "was that a volvo estate drifting????" Its the little things that make me smile while driving a volvo.

I've been swinging between love and hate with my 940. I should have bought a better cared for one, in fact I thought I was. The scrot I bought it from lied about the service history. But anyway.. It's very different from most cars I've had, bigger for a start. But if I can stop it leaking and make it go like hell then I'm sure I'll hate it less often, I just didn't want another rolling project.