Faults:

AC failed at 195000. Not repaired.

Engine mounts had no gas pressure when I purchased the car. They broke at 190000.

Driver's seat heater was broken. Passenger one failed at 175000.

Left rear taillight develops leaks and burns light bulbs out. Fix with vinyl repair glue.

Radio display failed at 135000. Still works, just no frequency.

All other items were replaced at normal or much later. e.g. Original distributor cap and wires lasted until 125000.

Brake rotors weren't touched until 160000.

General Comments:

Most reliable car I have ever owned. It has never been towed and only once did I have to limp it into the garage.

Gas mileage is great for such a large car. Averages 25 mpg in overall driving. As high as 35 on the highway.

Leather still looks like new.

Sunroof doesn't leak.

Paint is still great, but car has lived in a garage.

Faults:

A little drag in the turbo section.

Person before me abused this car. Bent wheel, replaced door, broken fog light, etc.

General Comments:

I have been told with good care, this car will go beyond the 300,000 mile mark. I love driving it and am in the process of total rehab to get it like new again. Car is fun to drive and handles very well. Very responsive, tight steering and comfortable too.

Faults:

Not much... I put $600 in to in when I first got it to make sure it was in great mechanical condition and for the next 20,000 miles, nothing went wrong!

My only complaint is that the lower part of the seat was a little too concave for me. It hurt my back after long car rides. The knob that was supposed to adjust the lower back that didn't work.

General Comments:

Fabulous car up to the very end! A few weeks ago, someone ran a red light and totaled it. She hit the front right hand side of the car going 50 mph. The cab was perfectly intact (just like it was designed to be), so if there had been someone sitting in the passenger seat, he/she would have been fine. Seat belts and everything worked great. I walked away with only seat belt marks on my body and she was carried away on a stretcher, even though she drove a newer high end luxury vehicle with airbags. Needless to say, I am a Volvo fan.

The air and heating worked very well. I didn't reach the end of the neighborhood before car was be near the desired temperature.

It got between 23 and 26 mpg, which isn't the greatest, but it's not too shabby for an old car.

The interior was nice. The leather seats showed some wear and had a few cracksn.

It handled very well. The steering was really tight and responsive. It had great acceleration, except on very steep hills. I never took it above 75 mph, but that is because I don't like speeding, not that the car couldn't take it.

Other good points... The seat warmers still worked! It had the original radio and cassette player, which, again, worked great. The sound wasn't the greatest, but I didn't mind.

I've been driving my mom's '94 940 since the accident and I honestly liked the 740 better. It had more power, better feel and handling, the heating and air worked much better, and fewer repairs were needed.

Faults:

Although I have always been told that Volvos are cars "built to last", the past two used Volvos I have purchased have been anything, but sturdy. While I'm sure many Volvos will run forever and reach 200,000 miles +, they must be completely rebuilt cars!

My 740 has had over $1,500 work in the past WEEK ALONE. AAA towing is programmed on my cell phone, they are a lovely organization who has towed my 740 over 13 times since I purchased it in 1996.

The wiring problems come first to mind- the 2 Volvo's I have owned have had awful electrical problems; this one included a meltdown of sorts several years back.

I am currently in the process of fixing the fuel pump, the pre-pump, relay, and filter, as well as an oil leak.

Just last week, I replaced the alternator, the battery (which had been running off the alternator) and bushing brackets.

When the car is actually working (rarely) it is comfortable and I have enjoyed it. I giggle when I hear people talk about how safe Volvos are- I always feel like I'm in a death trap.

I love the looks of the new Volvos on the market, but...

This is my second used Volvo (the first one was just as much of a nightmare) and I know what my next vehicle will be- a nice, reliable Honda.

General Comments:

Regarding the dealership I purchased this from: I have concerns I was swindled there. When I purchased it, the odometer read 48,000 miles, a VERY low sum for a car like this, and almost ten years old.

The dealer insisted the vehicle had been used for "city driving only", and that's why the mileage was so low. The body of the car was in beautiful shape, and the interior was great as well. However, the brake pedal was quite worn, and with all the various problems I have encountered, I now have concerns that the car's true mileage was neevr told to me.