My faithful 240 DL, thanks to a driver making a left turn when he didn't have the right of way, is now totaled, thanks to the front end damage.

So, I'm stuck looking for a new car...when a car note isn't the best thing for my finances nowadays.

I'm going for a Volvo 740 or 940, non-turbo wagon.

What are some of the things I should look out for?
Are the wiring harnesses done the same way (tailgate)?
What kind of quirky problems does the 700/900 series have over the 240s?
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The beginning: '81 242 DL ---> The warm-up: '84 244 DL ---> The ultimate: '87 245 DL

Very sorry to hear about the stupid accident. Just sharing my experience below; I'm no expert.
I've recently purchased a '89 745T 198k after test-driving a couple of 945 with much lower mileage (945T 945GLE , '93, '94 -- less than 100k and 150k). The 940s that I saw, for a non mechanical pro, didn't seem very different than 740 (ie they had the same interior problems of weak plastic trims and falling headliners). Probably as indicated earlier the younger ones (latest 940s) have better safety features than mine (which already has ABS and driver airbag, side impact bars) eg child booster in the back but I'm not too keen on additional electrical gimmicks (I'm quite happy that the front seat adjustments are non-electrical on mine...). Also the 940s I saw had more corrosion (eg on bolts everywhere -- doors, engine compartment) and their leather seats were far worse than my 740 (literally ripped off). Maybe other posters could comment on that (did Volvo use a different quality of leather in the 90s?? or does it depend on where the cars were made?). Maybe they could also comment on cost/availability of spares for 900s vs 700s. If you're short on $ I would rule out 900s only for that.
Wd be ideal if you can find a car which has been garaged with low mileage. Anyway check the FAQ for 740/940 and websites like edmunds.com before buying (why rule out a turbo?).

BTW I was at the beginning thinking of buying a 245 of the early nineties but then decided to have more accelerating power (hence looking for turbo or 16V).

PS Why aren't you sticking with the 240 model if you are happy and experienced with it?

Good luck!

- AhCheung, about not sticking to the 240s:

Where I live now, the 240s are especially hard to come by. People drive Volvos here but I see way too many of the FWDs. I always wanted to check out a 740, since the engine was about the same -- the reason why I opt not to have a turbo is not so much because of power, but because of the maintenance issues. The 740 is also a larger car, which is more suited to my immediate needs.

From what my Volvo mechanics told me, the 16Vs might have had more power, but they were a lot more trouble...
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The beginning: '81 242 DL ---> The warm-up: '84 244 DL ---> The ultimate: '87 245 DL

My recommendation would be to go 1992- if at all possible. Either 740 or 940, but not the 16valve engines. Stick to the 8v or 8v turbo.

The 1992 models had a host of improvements over the 1991 models. 1991 models had some climate control improvements over the 1990 models. 92 had more safety features, smarter ABS brakes, locking diff (almost universal from what Volvo says and what I've seen), better headrests, seatbelt pretensioners (SRS system), better diagnostics.

This applies to both 740 and 940.

If you can swing it go for the 940. Most of all the bugs in the early 740's were taken care of. If you decide on a 740 go 89->. the <-88 had engine wiring harness problems.

Mine is an 89 745tic produced in Nov 88 in sweden. Does this have the new or old harness???????????

Probably the newer style that doesn't have as much of a rot problem.