First real drive :-)

[jaycey001]

Hello, just thought some of you may be interested in my little story!

My black 740 estate has been off the road for a few months. While I decided whether to pay out again on it to get it road legal or trade it in for something else.

Bearing in mind it had been sat in a car park since March I wasn’t expecting it to start too freely. However first turn of the key and it started, admittedly it sounds more like a diesel but it DID start.
I bit the bullet and had new pads put on her and went for the first real test drive up the A14 to Lincoln (140miles) it drove spot on, I have never drove a RWD Volvo before, always had 850s and V70s. It feels SOOOO solid and capable. The turning circle is phenomenal in comparison.

The engine and mechanicals are obviously tired and being owned by a oriental rug company early on in its life has obviously been driven hard and heavily loaded, But I am still amazed at how smooth it is, One minute im doing 30 and the next its pushing up to 50 without me noticing, Amazing.

My only critism is the initial 0-40 speed which can be a little scary when joining a busy carriage way, maybe this is just because it the 2.0 auto, Does the bigger engine help with this? Overtaking is also a bit of an issue, again probably a result of tired mechanicals and small (ish ) engine.

I feel I am a convert to RWD and while I don’t want to pay out any more on this car as it owes me near £600 as is, (it does need a few relays as it wont start when warm and the cold start injector is playing up, I can live with it) However I will continue driving it until it dies/or is unreasonable to get through an MOT. I will then start looking for a mint example

Great cars I only wish the one I have was better looked after in its earlier life!

P.s it’s the only car, even in comparison to our mint Volvo V70 that gives me the confidence to drive anywhere in!

[Mr Sam]

i had a 2.0 manual then got 2.3 turbo manual.....yes the smaller engines are sluggish :P but still capable

i would get the fuel pump relay sorted so your not stuck anywhere

http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=3689



and enjoy

[doingitsideways]

Hi,

Yes, the 2.3 is a much torqueier(?) engine when compared to the 2.0, and when coupled to an auto 'box it is very noticeable.

The turbo engines make a massive difference again, maybe get yourself a 2.3 HPT, they really fly, especially when coupled to a manual 'box!

TBH, I'm much the same as you, my first Volvo was an 850, but when I drove my first 9xx series I was hooked.

Like you say, the turning circle is amazing, something no FWD car of this size will ever be capable of due to the limitations of CV joints/transverse engine in the way (Ask anyone with an S80, a transverse straight 6 means the turning circle is DIRE... Trust me! )

Plus, I've never driven another car that feels like it's honed from one solid lump of granite, although I must admit, it handles like that too when giving it the beans!!

Glad you decided to keep it though, hope you're here for a while.

Steve

[Mr Sam]

the turning circle can be improved upon even more with the right foot on boost...

[Laney760]

I had a 740 2.0 auto and it too was very slow and I did find it a bit dangerous to be honest but otherwise it was a lovely car (sadly stolen :-( )

[Mr Sam]

volvo stolen????? i tryed to break the steering lock and hotwire a 240 i had many many years ago..... Fail.