hi sages- since i have no plans to buy a newer fwd electronic, unrepairable model car with fat car payments , i try to do anticipatory and contingency planning for the demise of my 240 which while in excellent current overall condition will someday be claimed by rust or a smashup. it is already 22 years old with 232k. been noticing 960 models which are more common than 240s and 740s. anybodyknow anything about this model. think it is rwd with the redblock 4cyl and is available with a manual transmission. am i correct? what years was it made, guessing 90s into the 2000s. hope it isnt an interference engine. it is a nice looking car. give me the scuttlebutt on this model . is it available as a wagon too or just a 4door sedan? thanks tons oldduke

960 is a good car but not for faint of heart if you do not enjoy maintenance. It is nothing like a 240. Previous post on this subject from S/V90 forum:

FYI I also had to recently replace the rear cam seals after my short-trip driving wife caused condensation form in the crankcase during very cold weather. Switching to synthetic oil and cleaning PCV/breather system solved that problem. I also had to replace a door hinge. Oddly, one from an old 240 fit.

------------------------

posted by Adirondack Blues on Mon Dec 23 23:20 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Sun Mar 2 16:13 CST 2014
[RELATED]
We bought a '98 V90 several years ago with 205k miles. I have been driving and fixing 240s for a long time, so when a nice V90 came up, we jumped at the chance to replace my wife's rusted 240 sedan with something a little more glamorous.

The V90 is a nice car. Faster and more much more refined than a 240, with arguably better handling. It is roomier and much quieter than a 240. Think luxury touring and that describes the car.

The six cylinder engine is pretty bullet-proof, although high mileage cars may use oil. Ours is no exception. Be sure to change the timing belt! Unlike the 240, a broken belt will destroy the engine.

We purchased the car at 205k, reasonably well maintained. All maintenance, including T-belt, waterpump, front brakes, etc. was done by the local shop I bought it from immediately prior to sale.

In 30k miles, I have done the following repairs myself (along with regular oil changes and maintenance such as air filter, pcv, etc.):

Replaced 2 ignition coils (V90 uses a coil-over plug design)
Replaced starter (a bit difficult but doable)
Replaced front control arms and all bushings
Replaced ball joints
Replaced sway bar links (twice, due to low-quality aftermarket parts)and swaybar bushes
Repaired leaking power steering reservoir.
Replaced serp belt tensioner and idler pulleys; new serp belt
Repaired power actuated driver seat (again, a pain)
Repaired horn and broken clockspring
Resealed leaking sunroof and windshield. Replaced all windshield trim.
Replaced rear brakes/rotors
Vacuum and recharge AC
Replaced entire exhaust cat-back

While it is a good car, still there are lots of funky problems. None of them are life-threatening, but it depends on what you can personally deal with yourself and what you have to have someone else do. For example, just the power-seat issue alone would have been close to a $1000 repair at the shop.
There are many more annoying electrical gremlins and gizmos that can break. Access to most components under the hood is somewhat more difficult than on a 240. The multi-link rear suspension is very hard for the shade-tree mechanic to work on. The climate control system is complex and somewhat difficult to work on. Even simple things, like removing interior trim, dash components, etc. are more complex than a 240.

It is a reliable car, but you have to keep up with it. I'm sure I could think of more pros and cons. Basically, I would not hesitate to buy another if I found one in good condition. I still prefer my '93 240 for simplicity and general durability/reliability.

-Andy R.

If the car has the red-block engine, it will be non-interference; and from '93-on it will be an L block and have oil squirters under the pistons to enhance longevity (the label should show a series of 7 digits followed by -L).

Any other (non-red block) engine will be an interference type.

hi sages- thanks for all the info. saves me from going on a wild goose chase. no sense chasing something that doesnt exist . 960 and 940 are out if no stickshifts. there were some other models after the 240 and 740 which have the redblock ,rwd and a manual trans. not sure of their numbers, may have been the 840 and 850. anybody remember these? when did the 740 go out of production? 240s flamed out in 93. heres a tougher one- why dont modern american females like the 240 or 740 models with 3 pedals? bet no one can answer that one. thanks tons oldduke

All 850 and 960's have white block engines. As do S70/V70 and some other newer Volvo's. It is basically the same engine as it is of modular design. The 960 is an in-line 6 cylinder. The 850 is essentially the same engine minus one cylinder.

redblocks ended with 95 940's.
stick shifts with redblocks ended with 92 740's here in the usa.

5 cylinder interference engines in the 850 starting in 93 had stick shift as did v70's

Other than a severe crash there is no reason to believe your 240 won't last another 20 years if you keep up with maintenance. I will stay away from the 960 also.

Dan

Early models (95 and 96) are to be avoided. They had issues with the block casting that caused some to hemmoraghe oil and coolant. The fix was to replace the longblock. On the other hand, at this point, almost twenty years down the road, the ones that have survived were either not afflicted with that particular malady or they have been repaired.

It is a nice car. Plenty of power and fun to drive. Handles very well - a completely different driving experience from the 240. The 960 body is basically a 940 with some cosmetic updates and a plusher interior. Speaking of the interior, the 960 comes with a ton of gadgetry that will be troublesome and expensive as the car ages.

thank you john m- saw one that was a 940. are the 940 and 960 different? are the 940 and 960 available with a manual trans and without an interference engine? these are major factors in whether i buy one. regards oldduke

940 = 4 cylinder
960 = 6 cylinder

No manual tranny's available in the U.S.A. in either model. However, you might be able to swap a manual tranny from a 740 into a 940.

The 940 has basically the same drivetrain as a 240. NA engine and turbo available too. Non-interference engine. If you want a car more like your 240 stick with a 940.

The 960 has a NA interference 6 cylinder engine. It is some of the very early cars that had the porous block. Especially 92-93. It is generally acknowledged that the 96 and 97's are the best. Later cars are called S90/V90. Sedan and wagon respectivelly. Same cas as the 960. It is a rear wheel drive car.

Read up about this and other potential 940 and 960 issues on these links.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/960_90Info.htm#Porous960B6304Blocks

if you can locate a rust free 940 na or turbo buy it. this car is infinitely more desirable than a 960 which is a primadona of a car and if not maintained WELL a nightmare to own.