If I understand US specs, the 940 SE is a top level Volvo will all the extras and the turbo engine. If your 780 is a turbo too, then the engine will be the same. I suspect the 940 is heavier so will be slower but i doubt you will notice it much. Surely, the main differences are obvious. The 940 is a boring looking 4 door sedan or quite an attractive looking 5 door wagon whereas the 780 is a gorgeous 2 door coupe. The 940 will have a simpler feel to it, factory made as it will have been, perhaps in Halifax whereas the 780 is partially handmade in Italy. Fewer heads will turn, and less envy at those Volvo meets. On the other hand, your mother-in-law won't break her back when she gets in the rear and I suspect you can fit more luggage, certainly if you are talking about the wagon. Technically, the two cars will be identical apart from the IRS which post 1988 780 had, but are you sure that the 940 SE does not have IRS, I have seen postings here claiming that it does. Over here in Europe, no 940's had IRS but I think the US spec SE was different. The dash is different, this is a funny mixture of the old 700 series dash and the later 760 dash, found in the 740 Mk II. It has speakers in the dash as well as in the doors but I do not think it has tilt steering, but I could be wrong. Personally, if I had a 780 I would NEVER replace it unless I needed the extra space, which I do which is why I never bought a 780 but a 740 wagon.

George
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1987 745 GLE Turbodiesel Intercooler (D24TIC)/1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46)