Volvo 400 Series

Volvo Fan 1946 · Jul 3rd, 2016, 22:22

Hello everyone, just wondering why the Volvo 400's seem under represented / rated? I acquired my first Volvo a 440 XI this year a despite a few very minor issues during recommissioning (slight overheating - cured with flushing, new temp sensor and new water pump, has been absolutely faultless and a is a real pleasure to drive. I am using my Volvo as my daily driver and to be absolutely truthful, haven't been anywhere near my Volkswagen Golf since I got this back on the road. Apart from David there seems to be no one else contributing to our section of the forum. If everyone who has a 400 series Volvo adds a small something every now and again, we can build up our bit on the forum. Is anyone else going to the (Yorkshire) meeting later this month? It would be good to meet any other 400 owners. Jane

dcw · Jul 3rd, 2016, 22:40

This forum is pretty quiet I am afraid, although it can have sudden bursts of energy! I think your underrated point partly explains the underrepresented one...

480 came out, lots of build issues and electrical gremlins - "the coupe from Hell" one magazine report christened it. It got a bad name, and although post 1991 they really resolved most problems such that by the last models they were really pretty good cars, few people were interested any more. Again, underrated, and now there finally seems to be something of a resurgence of interest. The 480 is also sufficiently individual to have acquired a following - more people chat on the 480 owners' forum.

440/460 came out on the back of that start - worthy but perhaps "bog standard" cars, you might say. Volvo's first FWD small car family alongside the new 850 family. Sold well, pretty reliable, build quality not the greatest, rather came and went like so many such cars. They were good cars but no-one gave them much thought and happily moved on to the S/V40 which (having owned several of that family of cars) were definitely better cars.

Ford helpfully dumping all the old 400 (and 300) parts hasn't helped with keeping this family of cars on the road either.

Just don't seem to be many 440s/460s left now - as I mentioned in my other post, there were lots of 480s at BKV and one 440 - and those you do see often fall simply into the "unloved old banger" category.

That translates into being under-represented on here I am afraid. I know of a few around: Anadinolin has a 460 and Doingitsideways has a couple - they're on here every so often. Others might pop up now and say "hey, don't forget me!" but really there are only a few of us!

So relish being the owner of a good 440 and enjoy being a rare species, and meanwhile please keep up the good work helping keep this forum alive!

David

doingitsideways · Jul 5th, 2016, 20:24

Yeah, I'm still here.

Having a major clearout at the moment though so don't know how long I'll still have a 400 for.

No doubt I'll be back for more punishment though, I've tried leaving before!!

classicswede · Jul 5th, 2016, 22:28

I dont have a 400 any long and not had one for a while. It is a shame there is so little love for them

Anadinolin · Jul 6th, 2016, 20:48

Iv got one. Currently. Just been running the engine into the ground, going through a divorce at the moment (1 year of marriage and she opens her legs for someone else) so resources are sapped,

Once I get back on my feet I can continue to work on fitting 225 horses

Anybody want any 440 parts? The rear end is useless to me...

dcw · Jul 7th, 2016, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anadinolin

Iv got one. Currently. Just been running the engine into the ground, going through a divorce at the moment (1 year of marriage and she opens her legs for someone else) so resources are sapped,

Once I get back on my feet I can continue to work on fitting 225 horses

Anybody want any 440 parts? The rear end is useless to me...

Ouch - sorry to hear life's not at its best. I hope things get sorted and better soon!

David

doingitsideways · Jul 7th, 2016, 15:10

Christ, so sorry to hear that Andrew.

Had it happen to me before (not married though) so kinda feel your pain

classicswede · Jul 8th, 2016, 22:34

Sorry to hear that too

You hope to find her in bed with the fit bird from down the road and getting asked to join in but life is full of disapointment and stuff like this happens.

On the bright side you can put engine bits in the dish washer and as many parts in the house as you like with no complaints

Jul 3rd, 2016, 22:22	#1
Volvo Fan 1946 New Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2018 20:21 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Leeds	Volvo 400 Series Hello everyone, just wondering why the Volvo 400's seem under represented / rated? I acquired my first Volvo a 440 XI this year a despite a few very minor issues during recommissioning (slight overheating - cured with flushing, new temp sensor and new water pump, has been absolutely faultless and a is a real pleasure to drive. I am using my Volvo as my daily driver and to be absolutely truthful, haven't been anywhere near my Volkswagen Golf since I got this back on the road. Apart from David there seems to be no one else contributing to our section of the forum. If everyone who has a 400 series Volvo adds a small something every now and again, we can build up our bit on the forum. Is anyone else going to the (Yorkshire) meeting later this month? It would be good to meet any other 400 owners. Jane

Jul 3rd, 2016, 22:40	#2
dcw VOC Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: YORK	This forum is pretty quiet I am afraid, although it can have sudden bursts of energy! I think your underrated point partly explains the underrepresented one... 480 came out, lots of build issues and electrical gremlins - "the coupe from Hell" one magazine report christened it. It got a bad name, and although post 1991 they really resolved most problems such that by the last models they were really pretty good cars, few people were interested any more. Again, underrated, and now there finally seems to be something of a resurgence of interest. The 480 is also sufficiently individual to have acquired a following - more people chat on the 480 owners' forum. 440/460 came out on the back of that start - worthy but perhaps "bog standard" cars, you might say. Volvo's first FWD small car family alongside the new 850 family. Sold well, pretty reliable, build quality not the greatest, rather came and went like so many such cars. They were good cars but no-one gave them much thought and happily moved on to the S/V40 which (having owned several of that family of cars) were definitely better cars. Ford helpfully dumping all the old 400 (and 300) parts hasn't helped with keeping this family of cars on the road either. Just don't seem to be many 440s/460s left now - as I mentioned in my other post, there were lots of 480s at BKV and one 440 - and those you do see often fall simply into the "unloved old banger" category. That translates into being under-represented on here I am afraid. I know of a few around: Anadinolin has a 460 and Doingitsideways has a couple - they're on here every so often. Others might pop up now and say "hey, don't forget me!" but really there are only a few of us! So relish being the owner of a good 440 and enjoy being a rare species, and meanwhile please keep up the good work helping keep this forum alive! David __________________ VOC 400 Series Register Keeper The current fleet: 1997 440 LE, 1996 460 CD, 1994 480 GT and 2007 V50 SE Sport

Jul 5th, 2016, 20:24	#3
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Yeah, I'm still here. Having a major clearout at the moment though so don't know how long I'll still have a 400 for. No doubt I'll be back for more punishment though, I've tried leaving before!! __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue!

Jul 5th, 2016, 22:28	#4
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:55 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	I dont have a 400 any long and not had one for a while. It is a shame there is so little love for them __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Jul 6th, 2016, 20:48	#5
Anadinolin VOC Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2022 14:32 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Upminster View Photos By: Anadinolin	Iv got one. Currently. Just been running the engine into the ground, going through a divorce at the moment (1 year of marriage and she opens her legs for someone else) so resources are sapped, Once I get back on my feet I can continue to work on fitting 225 horses Anybody want any 440 parts? The rear end is useless to me... __________________ what good music deserves is full deep bass to give it warmth. the stock volvo sub works....just at high volumes Drum n Bass and dubstep

Jul 7th, 2016, 15:10	#7
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Christ, so sorry to hear that Andrew. Had it happen to me before (not married though) so kinda feel your pain __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue!

Jul 8th, 2016, 22:34	#8
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:55 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	Sorry to hear that too You hope to find her in bed with the fit bird from down the road and getting asked to join in but life is full of disapointment and stuff like this happens. On the bright side you can put engine bits in the dish washer and as many parts in the house as you like with no complaints __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

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