Hi,

Any informed opinions on 745(non-turbo) vs 765ti would be appreciated.

I currently own a 1990 740 (non-turbo) which I've been working toward stage 0 slowly for about a year. Just overhauled the front end (new Sachs struts, ball joints, tie rods inner & outer). 150K miles and running pretty good.(It was somewhat neglected by the previous owner, but has been solid so far)

I might be able to acquire a 1990 765 intercooled turbo with very low milage (under 100K). Looks good, runs good and has some maintenance records. Assuming this was well cared for what do you think?

Would you go for the non-turbo 740 or the turbo 760 and why?

Thanks,

morgen
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'90 740GL wagon

My most favorite car was a six year old '96 855R. I drove it for 11 years and smiled every day that I drove it! I even sang some times.

I even smiled the day I traded it in. I let it go because it needed a couple of expensive items - but during the time I owned it, I never had to do anything except wear and tear repairs.

Are you in a position to enjoy the car, or do you need long-term transportation?

NON TURBO!! I got an 87 turbo for FREE,Worst thing that ever happened,NEVER could get it to run right despite having spent $1100 on that piece of junk,,
I stick to NON turbos,,,few problems

Thanks for the advice. In the end I let the 760 go and decided to stick with the so far trusty 740.

Time will tell if this was the right decision.
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'90 740GL wagon

1990 760 turbo wagon is a weird breed...part 7-series, part 9-series. The most fun Volvo I have owned thus far but not my favorite (my 1978 245 has that space). So, I will turn it around on you, why would you want a fuel-sucking turbo, one-off car with difficult to find specialty items?

Great comment. I think two things draw me to the 760. First is the fun of a turbo (both to drive and a chance to learn a bit about performance tuning). Second if I want to complete a stage 0 and cosmetic restore the 760 may have fewer small defects (mostly cosmetic).

I will have to pay the turbo tax, but the kind of driving I do (mixed) it's probably only 3-4 mpg diff and I don't drive a lot of miles, so not a huge expense.

The specialty items does concern me a bit. What do you think are the worst 'one-off' parts on this model?
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'90 740GL wagon

I have been wracking my brain to remember but it has been about 12 years since I owned it. I think it was mostly dash and interior trim pieces that were unique and the automatic climate control was the first time Volvo used the GM/Harrison unit...cannot remember if all the parts cross to the 9-series ACC. Electrical schematics are unique to that year, that model so find the Green Books for it on Ebay.

Fun car. Has the turbo plus from the factory so it is slightly more peppy than many turbo 7/9's.

Tough choice. My 90 740NA was my first '7' car, and one of my very favorite cars of all time. I love the looks actually, 'more right angles than a box of right ahgles' as someone has said. And NA is simple and cheap.

However: The 90 760 retains the styling, (yeah I do love it), has the lh2.4, has many of the simple bits of the 740. It has a nicer interior with better leather.

However.... heh, it also has auto climate control, seat switches that fail (can be rebuilt sometimes) and IRS with those expensive Nivomats. A nice ride with self leveling though.
Those could be switched to something else.
Keep in mind that the motor could be persuaded to make many ponies, if you're so inclined.

I'd take....

Both.

Pretty sure none of the wagons had an IRS or Nivomat.

Just noticed that I partially erred; the 760 is a wagon and I was thinking sedan. As Oncle states, the wagons were not IRS; however the x60's did have Nivomat shocks and smaller dia springs in the back. These can all be swapped for standard shocks, which then require the standard springs or the car will ride low.

The 760 will be a nicer faster drive, but much harder to maintain.