1990 Volvo 740 GL 2.0i

Summary:

This car's engine will never give up

Faults:

Faulty starter motor when I bought it.

Plastic clutch foot pedal broke at 215000 (common on these cars, the plastic foot pedal connected by a cable wears through - cheap to fix).

Key barrel broke, locked on ignition, starter motor burn out as a result.

Fittings: roof lining sagging, hard to fix.

Replaced injectors, after sending them for cleaning - they had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable engine ever built by this company according to taxi drivers in Sweden, and my car so far has given me little trouble after many kilometers.

The turning circle is really impressive for such a large car, it cruises at 120km comfortably, and it capable of going much faster.

Fuel consumption is good for it's size, but as petrol gets more expensive this could be one reason for giving it up, as it won't die out on it's own I think.

The station wagon has a huge load capacity. The car also has good ground clearance. You can easily use it as a tent to sleep in on a camping adventure!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2004

16th Dec 2004, 15:26

This is the best car Volvo ever built.

You say that the 2.0 liter engine is the best according to taxi driver in Sweden. Sorry to say that, but in Sweden only the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder and the v6 engine is the choice you can make.

I have a -88 740 2.3 liter manual transmission. With only 270000 kilometers. In Sweden we say that you can trust your Volvo to 500000 kilometers, but I know several people that have 800-900000 kilometers and the cars still don't burn any oil.

Great Car.

29th Sep 2005, 23:41

I have a 1990 Volvo 740 GL, the 2.3 litre, 4 cylinder engine is in perfect condition. The car runs great even though it is well over the hundred thousand mile mark. It is a well buit car and over the years it has given me few problems. However there is one problem. The car has Igniton problems. You turn the key all the console lights come on the battery is live and the cables are tight, yet the staRter does not kick in. I changed the key switch and recoded the key. the solenoid is fine, I still have the problem. What could it be?

6th Oct 2005, 21:16

I have a 1990 740 GL, dark blue. Her name is Sofia.

:) I love that car, and she has now over 175k miles on it. A bit tricky in the beginning when I got her (Nov. '04), she kept stalling in the rain! o.0 Found to be something missing (a shield) in the distributor area.

Once fixed, problem solved!

740s are cars that love you back!

And they are safe!

Volvo for life!

1987 Volvo 740 GLE turbo diesel

Summary:

Economy cruiser with room for all

Faults:

Clutch, master cylinder, clutch spring

Water pump

Replaced sunroof and headliner

Rear breaks.

General Comments:

This is my second Volvo 740 estate, the first one being a petrol 2.3 injection automatic, and this one being the 2.4 turbo diesel with 4 speed manual with overdrive. My first 740 did 560000 km and is still going strong. My new car is even better, with a fuel economy out of this world for a car its size, age and shape. Lots of room, speed and comfort. With the turbo, its fast too.

Volvos, and in particular older Volvos, need to be looked after. Notice and fault, and it needs to be fixed. This is why some Volvos run and run and run and run and run and...; and some break down all the time. Look after it and it will look after you, ignore it and it will let you down. Equally, only buy cars that have been looked after. The tell tale signs are obvious: clean interior, clean engine, service book. But even a good car will cost money, so get a repair manual, some good tools and a reliable and cheap mechanic.

Driving a Volvo, in particular the older rear wheel drive ones, (100/200/700/900) is a lifestyle, and a very comfortable one too. Either you like it or you don't, it's a bit like Marmite.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2002