Faults:

Starter Motor was replaced two weeks after purchase.

A reoccuring problem with idle speed, resulted in carburetter rebuild.

When braking hard to a complete stop, the engine idle almost dies away, the car only just recovering in time to set off once more.

One of the headlamps is unpredictable.

The sunroof leaks, having had a new seal fitted only a couple of years before I bought the car.

Replaced servo hose, the old one almost melted as it't situated very close to the carburetter.

General Comments:

I bought my 340 from it's original owner of fifteen years. It was obvious the car had been looked after, as it came with a very full history. As well as the cars original bill of sale, and first few miles service history, the owner had kept every bill and M.O.T. sheet. I was able to see the cars complete progress on paper, right up to the day I bought it.

Despite my mechanical teething problems with the car, it's now running impeccably.

Inside and out the car looks as new, and I because of It's careful first owner I am duty bound to keep it looking that way.

Faults:

Starter motor wore out at about 20,000 miles.

Distributor cap cracked.

Radiator sprung a leak at about 20,000 miles.

General Comments:

This is a fantastic car with great performance (although 1.4 is under powered) and entertaining handling. Rear wheel drive is so refreshing in this age of built-to-cost front drive cars. The 340 would make a great rally car.

However fuel economy is not so good (I got about 18mpg)

Faults:

The starter motor died (worn brushes and commutator). Not a problem since a scrap yard replaced one for £15 (GBP).

Occasionally it will not start for four or five attempts (Unsure cause)

Alternator was replaced at about 70000 miles by the previous owner.

General Comments:

Has a turning circle not unlike a London taxi. Once you have the arms to turn without taking a break half way. The steering is heavy!

Faults:

Rear suspension wants replacement, as long as it gets rusty. After that you will notice the difference: 'The wheels spin for fun'.

Lots of Webber cleaning. Otherwise engine stalls.

Fuses burn without any obvious reason.

General Comments:

When I first bought the car, I was seeing that it had 5 gears (on the knob). After a lot of trying realising that it had the 4 gear gearbox, that is much better-accelerates fast, even if it is 1.4.

Rear drive, brings the car in the class of the BMW 316, and believe me, this car is for 'Drivers' only!!! Try to run it at a dirty road. It goes like a tank... I had a lot of fun with it.

When I bought it, I travelled 1500 miles, in two days without the need of adding any oil. Does anybody said that is not reliable???

Faults:

New clutch fitted.

Starter motor replaced.

Blew a head gasket recently.

General Comments:

The 3 series Volvo is a good old plodder, reasonably reliable and quite a spacious car.

Faults:

Head gasket blown, radiator pipe split, rear nearside brake cylinder failed (resulted in nasty exit from the A329M), thermostat seal melted, fan belt drive wheel fell off, choke cable and mountings broken, spark plugs needed replacing, cylinder wall about to wear through, extremely prone to overheating.

General Comments:

Sounds awful but was good fun when on the road, but very expensive when off it.

Good points: Good acceleration and handling for a heavy car, very solid build, sharp brakes, nice predictable response. Comfortable drive except hell over speed bumps.

Bad points: Drinks like a fish, especially in traffic. Very prone to losing the back end if braking sharply (RWD), and skidding/wheelspinning in icy/wet conditions. Continuously breaking down - worst point being the amount of RAC personnel who were heard to comment 'Thought Volvos were supposed to be reliable'.