Thinking of buying a high mileage 740 - is it worth it?

[meganmay]

Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 1990 740SE estate with 240k on the clock - am I insane? It's very attractively priced, presumably because of the mileage, looks clean enough in pics (but this would be my first Volvo so I'm not 100% sure what to look out for, any advice would be appreciated!). A quick Google suggests it could go another 50k with no major problems as long as it's been looked after by previous owners. My plan is to turn it into a bit of an adventure wagon and take it on a camping tour this summer so the miles could soon add up!

So in short - should I buy a high mileage 740, and what issues do I need to look out for before deciding to buy?

[volvo always]

Originally Posted by meganmay

Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 1990 740SE estate with 240k on the clock - am I insane? It's very attractively priced, presumably because of the mileage, looks clean enough in pics (but this would be my first Volvo so I'm not 100% sure what to look out for, any advice would be appreciated!). A quick Google suggests it could go another 50k with no major problems as long as it's been looked after by previous owners. My plan is to turn it into a bit of an adventure wagon and take it on a camping tour this summer so the miles could soon add up!

So in short - should I buy a high mileage 740, and what issues do I need to look out for before deciding to buy?

Both my 1989 240 has 238,000 miles and 1996 940 has 194,000 and none has given any trouble with engine or major expense.

How much is it?

Check the basics as you would with any used car. Oil, headgasket, no bubbles in coolant and no oil mixed.
Rust although the 740 has good rust proofing. My 1986 740 needed the outrigger welding on the passenger side in around 2002. Take a good look at cills outriggers, suspension top mountings and floorpan and boot area.

Any mechanicals are simple on a rwd Volvo. It may be a 2.3 B230E which is really nice.

Radiator/ cooling system should be needing attention if not replaced. If you can DIY it's an easy car to work on.

James

[aardvarkash10]

Its an old car. Apply all the normal caveats you would to any old car.

Also, check out the buyers guide.

[tofufi]

These cars are very good at soaking up the mileages if well maintained.

I'd always maintain it's better to buy a high mileage car that's done long journeys than one that's just been used on short town trips it's entire life.

On a car that is 28 years old, always buy on condition rather than mileage. If the condition is good and it drives nicely enough, I'd have no hesitation in buying a 240,000 mile car.

There are lots of 740s around and prices still are fairly low, so it's worth shopping around and being choosy if you're after anything in particular

[meganmay]

Thanks everyone for the replies - I initially wasn't concerned by the mileage but a very dear friend who is 'basically a mechanic' (his words!) put some doubts in my mind. Going to look at the car this afternoon and, all being well, it should be coming home with me on Saturday!

[Prufrock]

I know 740s better than most and 240.000 is below average mileage for the year, and if it has been cared for should be fine.

Condition and provenance are the important things to consider.

Jon.

[Laird Scooby]

The mileage wouldn't be a problem for me either, as long as the engines/gearboxes have been looked after the only other thing that would need checking in terms of rust is around the battery tray, inner wing areas (both sides although battery tray only one side) and front footwells/outrigger area as already mentioned.

Other than that, all the usual stuff for any car applies, no untoward rattles, clonks, bangs etc from any part of the car during test drive, should engage all gears happily (whether manual or auto) and pull well, even if it doesn't feel like a racing car.

Some trim is getting hard to find but other than that almost everything can be got either secondhand from breakers or new from Volvo Classic Division (some parts are still current as well) so as long as the basics are there and you like it, go for it!

Several people have turned their Volvo estates into campers, there's a few threads on here, if i can find or remember where they are, i'll put a link up.

Here's one thread, there are others :

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=269026

Good luck if you go for it!

[meganmay]

Thanks for the link to that thread, looks like an interesting build! My plan is less sophisticated than that, I'm just getting a tailgate tent and sticking a mattress in the back!

[meganmay]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

The mileage wouldn't be a problem for me either, as long as the engines/gearboxes have been looked after the only other thing that would need checking in terms of rust is around the battery tray, inner wing areas (both sides although battery tray only one side) and front footwells/outrigger area as already mentioned.

Other than that, all the usual stuff for any car applies, no untoward rattles, clonks, bangs etc from any part of the car during test drive, should engage all gears happily (whether manual or auto) and pull well, even if it doesn't feel like a racing car.

Some trim is getting hard to find but other than that almost everything can be got either secondhand from breakers or new from Volvo Classic Division (some parts are still current as well) so as long as the basics are there and you like it, go for it!

Several people have turned their Volvo estates into campers, there's a few threads on here, if i can find or remember where they are, i'll put a link up.

Here's one thread, there are others :

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=269026

Good luck if you go for it!

Thanks for the link to that thread, looks like an interesting build! My plan is less sophisticated than that, I'm just getting a tailgate tent and sticking a mattress in the back!

[Laird Scooby]

Like your style - simple and effective!