posted by
someone claiming to be brian mccallum
on
Thu Dec 7 20:03 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I'm wondering about the best/most reliable used Volvo in the 4-6K price range. I currently drive a 79 245 but it's getting a bit small for the family. I have three kids and a dog. (all in car seats) ((except the dog)).
I love the reliability of the 240 series, however I wonder if any of the later models are wide enough to accomodate three across the back. Of course there is the five-seater model...anyway, your thoughts and suggestions are as always, appreciated.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Brian Oliver
on
Fri Dec 8 13:09 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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We've had a 740 and now a 940 wagon since 1992, before kid #3 came along. At one point we had an infant seat, a toddler seat, and a booster in the back. It was tight, and I don't think we could have managed two Fisher-Price toddler seats (the best!) and a booster seat. OTOH, there is no way all that stuff would have fit in a Corolla or Tempo!
The third seat really helps relieve the pressure, but there are limitations. You end up with no separate cargo area, and the kids in the "way back" are quite isolated. The novelty wears off on your own kids fast, but visitors love it!
Check out the integral booster in some 740 and all(?) 940 wagons. Maybe you can put the biggest kid in that and liberate enough space for the toddler seats. In a pinch, you could get the rear seat back from a 940 wagon at a scrap yard and install it temporarily in a 740. Who cares about the colour, it's going to get trashed by the kids and dog anyway!
Our kids are now eleven, nine, and seven and we have no extra seating appliances installed. The 940 wagon is entirely adequate now. Ironically, the bigger your kids get, the more space you have as you retire seats! We even have a dog now, but it's a small one that is OK in a small carrier in the back or on a lap. Minivan successfully avoided!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Brian Mccallum
on
Fri Dec 8 16:53 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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These replys are all so wonderful. I forgot to mention that the reason why have decided to get another Volvo. Last month my father and law gave us a Ford Conversion Van. First day the relay for the power windows blows up. This requires a trip to the dealer (there is no way of finding relays on conversion Vans) this costs $150.00. Two weeks later, she won't start in cold weather so I try to adjust the choke...the four barrel holly is non-adjustable. Turns out to need a carbeurator Kit and two hours of labor...$300.00.
My wife now refuses to drive the van, she has confiscated the Volvo, the kids and the dog, and I'm left driving the pride of Detroit-a converted nightmare that is specially engineered NOT to work on.
This is why we are selling the van and buying another VOLVO.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Guy W
on
Fri Dec 8 08:54 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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We have a 244 and a 745 and 3 kids can sit in the back seat of both cars. The problem is the car seats, it is almost impossible in any car to put 3 across. So you need a third row seat, i.e. Minivan or Volvo wagon with 3rd seat. Our wagon has the 3rd seat and it does give us more room when needed. If you want to keep your current wagon, check the auctions on Ebay. I have seen 3rd seats there for reasonable sums and I belive that you can retrofit any wagon. Reliabilty of the 244 and 745 seem to be about the same, the drivetrain is very similar if you stay with a standard 4 cyl (230) engine.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Tom
on
Fri Dec 8 06:57 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I'm driving a 240 wagon with a third seat. We have a five, three and 1 month old. Everybody seems happy. I'd leave the dog at home...
Good luck
Tom
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posted by
someone claiming to be Lawrence
on
Fri Dec 8 06:01 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I have the 87 740. It now has 130,000. The car is very liable, thus far.
My wife loves it. Its smooth, comfortable. Ive had it since 113,000. So far, Ive had to replace the engine temp sensor and brake pads. I also replaced the plasic radiator with a metal one. It also has the zf tranny, which continues to operate reliably and smoothly.
The one thing that really gets my dander up about this car is the upholstry. 100,000 mile upholstry in a 300,000 mile car. Whoever came up with this wonderful idea needs a swift kick in the...
Of course, you know, that whatever car you decide on, look for maintenance records and good upkeep.
cheers!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Paul Gonzalez
on
Fri Dec 8 06:49 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I have an 86 740 turbo, that I bought at Southwest Auto here in Dallas about a year ago. The car had about 120,000 miles on it when I bought it, and it was a one owner car. The previous owner kept every maintenance record from 1986, and maintained it religiously. The car now has almost 217,000 on it, and still runs like a dream. I have only replaced the shocks and struts, and the battery. The #1 thing to look for is the maintenance records for the vehicle.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Lawrence
on
Fri Dec 8 19:45 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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Whoa! 97,000 miles in one year? Thats some taxi cab. Is that correct?
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posted by
someone claiming to be Jason Kneier
on
Fri Dec 8 01:06 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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The cheapest and most reliable model in that price range would be a 940 sedan or wagon, non-turbo. Same ol' iron-block 4 that will run forever with proper basic maintenance. Bigger interior, quieter, more luxo-goodies, yet still a solid chunk of reliable transportation.
There really aren't any vices to speak of in the 940 series. The '91 940 GLE 16V can be trouble, due to the interference engine design. The Turbo models give you a lot more power for only a slight increase in operating costs. '93- models have CFC-free AC. That's about it!
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posted by
someone claiming to be brian
on
Fri Dec 8 03:03 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I've always heard that the 740, and 940 series aeren't as reliable as the 240. I must admit the the look of the 740 always bothered me-they are too linear or something. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll look at the 940 series.
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posted by
someone claiming to be claude
on
Sun Dec 10 12:51 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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having owned a 145, two 245, a 745 and now a 945 I say buggers to the 740/940 not being as reliable! They may have a few additional electro goodies to conceivably go wrong, and there were a few years that the 740 had less rugged brakes, but I wouldn't trade the 740/940 for any 240 vintage car. The main reason I say this is due to the galvanized bodies of the 7/9 series. It doesn't matter how reliable the 240's were, the bodies (at least here in New England)don't last the long haul. I bought a salvaged 745 7 years ago that had the worst of the worst in shoddy body jobs. It has never been garaged and suffered thru many NH winters with not a trace of rust! That's worth more to me than any perceived difference in reliability.
Also, as opposed to the 745 as my wife was when trading in her 245, she now swears by that body style as being much more useful, and having better visibility than her old 245. So much so that she opted to buy a used 945 to replace the 745 instead of taking my 855 at the last changing of cars. She is sold on the visibility and cargo room.
Just one person's opinion!
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posted by
someone claiming to be brian mccallum
on
Sun Dec 10 18:23 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I can definately relate to the rust problem. My 79 wagon runs like a champ, but the rust behind the wheels is basically too far advanced to do anything with. This is the thing with Volvo's, they are basically a tank with a few cheaply made parts.
I think after all this info, though, that I'm definitely going to look into the 7-900 series (budget allowing).
Thanks for everything.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Michael
on
Sun Dec 10 16:18 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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In '86 Volvo started galvinizing the body panels, so the '86-'93 240s should hold up better against rust. There was also a design change in the mudflaps that helped too.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Tony H
on
Fri Dec 8 03:27 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I agree Brian. Boxy but safe was the phrase used in that movie BUT when they came out with the 700's, Boxier but safe came to my mind. Cars shouldn't be that square unless they are an old flat fender Jeep.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Shatz
on
Fri Dec 8 21:45 CST 2000 [ RELATED]
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I disagree, having owned nothing but Volvo wagons. Form follows function, and all Volvo Wagons are as functional as you can get in a wagon. I think these sloping roof lines in the Taurus and Honda wagons are silly.
p.s. And consider the 700/900 boxy and the 245s not? Huh?? I think the edges may be a bit softer as they are in the late model 900 series, but all Volvo wagons look like a box to me, and that's exactly want you want in a wagon, IMO
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