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i'm still keeping my eye out for a nice 740 to upgrade into. i currently have an '88 244dl and love it but it's getting a little dated for the wife. i have found a pretty nice looking '90 740 non-turbo that i'm gonna look at this weekend. my question pertains to the engine: what is the power difference between a non-turbo 244 and a non-turbo 744?? as it is now, i have to get a running start to be able to 'jump' into traffic. will i notice at least an improvement in take-off?? i don't care for top-end/low-end power or anything like that, i would just like some 'traffic' power.
thanks for all the responses,
Bubba
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just call me Bubba
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posted by
someone claiming to be pdwyer
on
Fri Jan 11 16:57 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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bubba: go to 'volvoworld.com' and then to their 700 section: there's a year-by-year list of what car came with what engine. In that same list is a set of of numbers that helps you to figure out about where in the production run your prospective purchase was built, based on beginning and ending chassis number series (they do NOT all start at '1' and go to the end-of-the-run production quantity. Also, the chassis will have a different seriak than the engine; some talk has been bandied about that some engines were cast as much as a year before they were installed (ostensibly to let the metal cool, etc.) There is also a section to help you decode the VIN: good info to have, especially as pertains to where it was built. I won't give away the rest of the goodies, suffice it to say that with their information, and helpful Bricksters, your chances of knowing (more) what you're getting are increased. Finally, go to 'kellybluebook' and punch in some numbers to get an idea of the "private party" sales price (=higher) than the "dealer trade-in" price; that last figure is what a dealer would 'give' you for selling him a used car on a trade-in...when he turns around and sells the car again, it will sell for at least as much as pps, if not more. Good Luck, amigo. --PD.
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The naturally aspirated models are the same with respect to power and transmission ratio, etc. The 700 accelerates similarly to the 240. I'm sure there is some minute difference, but all in all it is basically the same powertrain.
The 740 is such a great car, it's hard to find anything bad to say about it. Ditto for the 940, in fact, even more so. If you can stretch to a 91 and up 940, you'd be loving it. But the 740 is fundamentally the same car with a few exceptions.
There are weaknesses in any car, but the 740 is like a 240 durability-wise, but with a better ride. And more interior space.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago, IL. 93 940, 91 240, 90 240, 88 740, 87 240
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posted by
someone claiming to be Bruce Freiberg
on
Thu Jan 10 10:29 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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A word of caution about the 16 valve. Its an "interference" engine, meaning that if the timing belt breaks, the valves hit the pistons. The eight valve is non interference.
I drive a 740GL (1989) with the eight valve nonturbo with 153,000 on the odometer. It runs very strong. Sure, a turbo would run circles around it, but I have no problem keeping up with traffic. Avoid the ZF auto, as they have a major weakness...reving them in neutral fries them! The AW is a quality transmission, and will almost last forever. Good luck.
Bruce
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Bubba-
If you are looking to get more useable power from a non-turbo 700, I would encourage you to look for a car with a good manual transmission. (Assuming you don't have an aversion to them. If you do, change your mind!) I am extremely happy with my M46-equipped 745. It's no rocket, to be sure, but I've learned how to squeeze all the power out of the engine when I need to. Even passing at highway speeds isn't that bad. (Of course, I don't feel squeemish about redlining the engine. It's well built and I don't abuse it often.) I just don't think that an auto attached to the same engine would be nearly as pleasing. Test drive a 700 with a manyal tranny if you can find one.
You may have heard bad things about M46 and M47 transmissions in the past, but they can be quite reliable if you know how to address their respective gremlins. Look through the archives and/or post a new thread if this becomes a matter of concern with a potential "new" brick.
Tim
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Tim Smith '85 745GLE M46 w/84k
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Whose spreading such nasty rumors. Hey, my m46 + od (1985 745t) lasted 204k and 17 years! They rock, and are actuallly described by moist volvo mechanics as "virtually indestructible". It's the crappy German (?) Z that zucks.
Back to bubba:
I'd agree to tell you to get a manual if you can drive one and like the control it gives you over shift points, etc. However, I should ALSO note that manuals are hard to find. Most of the 700s sold in the US were automatics (AW70, AW71), and the folks that have the manuals tend to be the folks that drive till the car rots. IDEALLY, you will find a 744t or 745t manual. The latter is the car I drive, and I am a big fan. I got my 745t from my father (original owner), and he had to wait for a manual to arrive at his dealer from Sweden.
-Rick
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Bubba -
Just go with a 740 Turbo and don't look back! I'm sure others will have accurate info more specific to the normally aspirated 2 and 7 series. Just wanted to throw in my .02
-Dave
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1994 850 Bone Stock, 1988 745t a work in progress . . . http://communities.msn.com/Daves745tVolvoSite
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The GLE (700 non-turbo) is better than the 244 on pick-up, partly because its lighter (those 200s are HEAVY).
However, I would suggest that you NOT buy the GLE, and wait to see if you can get a turbo (744ti, 745ti). The acceleration/power is much better, the resale value is higher (not that any of us would sell them when they still run), and its a bit more fun to drive. I also feel its a safer car given your ability to move when you need to (acceleration can save your life), but thats MHO.
The only minus with the turbo is that if and when the turbo dies (they last about 160k) it can be an expensive fix (and there is now practical way to run a turbo without a turbo). However, at a 160k average lifespan you're probably looking at buying one turbo (if the one you get hasn't been replaced).
-Rick
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why not a GLE??? i have found two for about 2500$$ that i am interested in. one is liste as just a 740 and the other is listed as a 740GL. i know that you get what you pay, but if either one of these work out, this is the perfect price for me. know anything about these models??
Bubba
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just call me Bubba
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My knowledge of the GLE (i.e, non-turbo) is limited, but from teh GLE's I have driven I have come to the conclusion that the addition of the turbo and the b230ft makes a NOTICEABLE improvement in both acceleration and power.
You mentioned you really dislike the acceleration of the 200 series; on-ramp running start, lqack of power on uphills, etc. Well, the GLE will be a little better, but maybe not as much as you'd like. The Turbo is MUCH better; I can accelerate from a stop at tiny on-ramps, I accelerate on uphills with little problem, I can quickly accelerate from cruising speed to pass people when necessary, etc.
Basically, at this point a used turbo model won't cost that much more than the GLE, and the money spent is well worth the gains. Just my humble opinion, but I wouldn't buy a non-turbo 700. Of course, as I stated earlier, the turbo is a beast unto itself and adds more parts to the list of things that can go wrong down the road, but as long as you research your purchase to discover the history you should be alright. If the car is around 150k and on its first turbo bring it up to the person your buying from. Turbos (at least the Garrett or Mitsubishi oil cooled models) last about 160k, so he should drop the price anticipating youw ill need to replace it in the near future.
Anyway, all 700s are great regardless, its just a question of personal taste and opinion.
-Rick
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I have a '90 744 turbo. As far as the 'in traffic' use.. it's great. The turbo kicks in at about 2500 rpm.. and then BOOM your driving like a mad man. you go from 0-30 in 4 sec. then from 30-60 in 2 sec's... As far as the NA 740 i dont know. i believe they made 2 differant engines for it though. There are the 'regular' ones then the 16V ones. (I think) I you do get a turbo check the history... there's a good chance it will not have much life left in it. I got lucky. My car only had about 5k mi on the new turbo. Look at the 700/900 FAQ for good info on buying a used car.
Justus
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Proud owner of a '96 960 & '90 740 turbo
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