General Comments:
I have owned an 1989 Ford Mustang GT and a 1993 Ford Ranger with the reliable 2.3L before this, and I would have to say that the 740 is much more fun to drive than the Mustang, and just as reliable, if not more reliable, than the Ranger.
I have never driven a car that feels more solid safe. This is Volvo engineering at its best. This isn't one of your expensive newer cars where you need to bring it into the dealer just to see if your tire pressure is low. I have done a tune up and made sure everything is working properly, and have found these cars are the easiest to work on.
I have never seen a trunk so huge I thought it would compromise the passengers room in the back seats, but I found it is quite roomy back there too.
For a 1991 vehicle it is luxurious. Leather heated seats, power mirrors, power windows, power sunroof, A/C, great stereo, anti-lock brakes, and air bags.
On the road, this handles like a dream, and the performance from the factory isn't bad either, provided you have a turbo model; 0-60 in 7.2 secs.
For a car made in 1991, and 228,000 miles of Minnesota summer and winter driving, it surprisingly has almost no rust all, because Volvo used galvanized steel, and too many layers of paint and clear coat to count. I am serious here, I have seen one with a paint chip because it got keyed, and it looked like the paint and clear coat were just as thick as the metal.
26th Nov 2010, 10:18
I just got a 740 turbo 89' model. Totally awesome! I think it does 60 in like 7.5ish. I guessed using my phone. But man, I love this car. It's really a sleeper with that turbo. Got 171K miles right now. Only things that do not work are the antenna, and sunroof. But all windows and locks work and lights etc. Pretty cool considering the thing cost me less than $500 total. Oh, and a water pump is $35 haha. Great car.