Faults:

Original starter motor seized at 126000 miles and was replaced with a reconditioned unit.

Entire exhaust system, luckily non-catalyst, has been replaced, from manifold to tail pipe, as each section rotted or failed.

All 4 original unmatched tyres replaced, with a matched set, around 125000 miles. Road holding slightly improved.

Rear discs & pads replaced.

Right side tie end rod replaced (twice in 2 years for Mots?)

Slight crack to radiator cured with quick fix sealant, but it will probably have to be replaced.

Timing belt needs replacement.

General Comments:

For a large heavy sedan car, I think it's quite nimble, but it does not take kindly to being pushed too hard, through the corners. I think it always feels slightly top heavy?

Pity no fuel injection, I'm sure that would make a big improvement to it's get up & go. But it can hold it's own in the cut & thrust of rush hour traffic.

Cabin is naturally very spacious with large comfortable seating. Easily carries 5 large adults. Boot space is the envy of friends, with more modern cars. Ski hatch in rear seat back, has proved very useful, for transporting long pointy things. eg 7 foot gate post.

Front and side views, through glassed areas is good, but rear windscreen, is small, almost chopped too short, for such a large car?

I enjoy it's sure footed, long distance, highway cruising, makes for very relaxed driving. It's a real boulevard cruiser.

Power assisted steering, electric side mirrors, electric front windows, manual sun roof and a decent sound system are nice extras.

Faults:

Brake servo hose, corroded.

Exhaust back muffler fell off (rusted)

Left-hand electric front window slow/jamming open.

Front tracking.

Interior plastic trim very brittle, easily broken.

Tick-over uneven, throttle system needed lubrication and adjustment.

General Comments:

I bought this car for £400 (with no MOT) from a dealer, on trade terms. I owned it for over 2 years, and maintained it myself, I sold it for £450.

It ran well from the start, wasn't too bad on fuel (20 MPG in town and 30 MPG on longer runs) it's a heavy car, but once it got moving it was really smooth and reasonably quiet.

Comfort was very good, with adjustable lumber support in the front seats, I didn't get a back ache on long journeys. The interior layout is very practical if a little bland.

Equipment included electric windows, mirrors and manual sun-roof, a Volvo rad/cass (replaced with a rad/CD Player)

Problems with interior plastic being very brittle were easily solved by visiting a breakers yard and replacing. I had the misfortune to have the passenger front window broken by a thief and my rad/CD player stolen. I replaced the window myself (£10 from a breakers yard) one consolation was that replacing the window fixed a previously annoying problem with the window sticking.

I spent about £200 on the car in 2 years, this included 4 new tyres (not remoulds) oil, antifreeze, wipers, fan belts (there are 2) and the other things listed above.

This car never let me down, despite being 12 years old when I bought it, I thought nothing of driving it on any long journey.

I have been driving more modern cars recently, but am about to buy a Volvo 940 Estate soon, as I need the load capacity and low-cost reliability once again!

Faults:

Until 2003, the car ran perfectly well.

The cylinder head gasket blew whilst doing 85mph.

This was fixed, but it is all the other problems that have manifested themselves since then.

Hall sensor problems.

Coolant system problems.

Fuel pump and relay problems.

Water pump problems.

Vacuum hose problems.

Carburettor problems.

General Comments:

Until the problem with the cylinder head, the car had performed extremely well. One of the issues about fixing such an old car is the other problems that start occurring. Having spent over £1000 in repairs I would not want to go through this again with another car.

All in all, Volvo is very good. I'm just unlucky!