Faults:

All sorts of little stuff. Interior parts breaking, rotten engine wiring, temperamental window regulators, relays dying, rotten headliner, and many other small things.

General Comments:

Volvo did an excellent job with the body and driveline. I am not surprised that many of these cars have gone 300,000+ miles with no major repairs.

Unfortunately everything else about the Volvo 740 is horribly unreliable. I am forever replacing interior parts, soldering relays, cursing over stubborn window regulators, fighting with rotten wiring, dealing with flame traps and coolant valves, and chasing down other small but annoying problems on a weekly basis.

These cars get expensive and time consuming really fast. The only saving grace is that they are simple to work on, and parts are plentiful.

Having said that, I love my Volvo 740. It drives like a dream, has comfortable heated leather seats, and is amazing on long trips.

I consider my Volvo "luxury on a budget", considering I only paid $740 for it. Even though it's 22 years old, it's still the nicest vehicle I've ever owned.

Faults:

I've replaced the rear brakes, headlight switch, both low beams.

General Comments:

Don't tell it it's an '87, it thinks it's new!

Bought it as a temporary driver, ended up keeping it.

We were scared about the miles, but this thing starts, runs, & travels like it's still new. We went from LA, to Portland with it, and it just ran like a sewing machine. These 2.3 Volvo's are indestructible.

One of the most pleasant surprises I've owned. We've put 32,000 miles on it, (has 162,000 now) and it runs better than most of my friends newer cars. Nothing fancy, not fast, doesn't corner great, just starts every time, runs flawlessly, and chews up the miles.

We've really come to love this car!

Faults:

A/C changeover.

Cat converter.

Otherwise very little.

General Comments:

The greatest car I ever had, period!

I am writing this because I feel guilty putting the car to the graveyard.

I have made the decision to hand it in for $4500 towards a 5 year lease on a Corolla for $99 a month under the cars for clunkers act.

I will miss this incredible machine. Nothing stopped it over the years.

I once lost control on ice going downhill and hit a tree head on at 40mph. My friend said when I told him the story. "well goodbye Volvo". He was amazed when I said, "no, just lost the bumper". They will never make a car like this, with its rugged body and truck engine.

Goodbye old friend, I will never forget how you performed for me over a 22 year period!