Faults:

Fuel pump, radiator, window jammed, bonnet release failed, etc.

General Comments:

Classic 740 Volvo we had in the family such a long time. It was one of the few cars we had that reached about 200K with relative ease.

Bright red and boxy. Saloon version 740 GL, typical of its era. The car had an old man image. But so what? That meant reliability.

Big comfy seats. Nice to drive. Not fast but not slow either, could move when needed. Average around 30 mpg, OK for the time.

Scrapped in 2010, still miss it today!

Faults:

It's 20 years old, so in common with other 740s, the usual saggy headlining, work-when-they-feel-like-it gauges and seat heaters.

General Comments:

Big and comfy, the GLT was a slightly sportier version of the 740 sold for one year only in the UK with a 16 valve engine. It will go if you really get the revs up, but overall it's not a car that encourages enthusiastic driving.

Handling isn't too bad for something so big, old and heavy - you can normally take corners quite fast with a squirt of throttle, although if the roads are wet, caution is necessary.

I like it as a cheap everyday car, but I don't think its performance justifies the heavy fuel consumption. It's rarely bettered 25 mpg even with careful driving. It's quick, but not THAT quick. Not really worth the effort of tracking one down if you are a 740 affectionado.

Timing belts need to be changed religiously along with the balance shaft belts, and it's NOT an easy job. Aside from the cylinder head, it's the familiar red block 4 cylinder they put in everything else back then, so it should last the course.

One thing I should mention, even though it's 20 years old, it still has excellent bodywork and still feels taut. Quality.

Faults:

Roof lining missing.

Horn very week.

Central locking not working.

General Comments:

Bought it to compliment my Ford Mondeo, and even though the purchase price was very low (£50), it's reliable and starts first time every time.

Comfortable interior and good driving position.

Responsive engine considering mileage.

Design not to everybody's taste, transatlantic is one way of putting it.

Headlamps are rubbish; not up to modern standards.

Quirky daytime running lamps can be disabled by removing a fuse, but I like them!

Boot space in the estate incredible, and she is a willing load lugger.

Faults:

This is my second 740 2.3 GLE. It has been very reliable. Only needing a new alternator regulator, which cost only £10.

A few dashboard lights have recently gone out, such as the bulb near the petrol gauge, and the heated rear window switch bulb. Otherwise it's been perfect, and starts first time every time.

The roof headlining is sagging in a few places. I might bother to fix it one day.

General Comments:

I love this car. The seats are full heated leather, very comfortable and supportive. It is fast enough with a 2.3 engine, not quite as quick as modern cars, but it pulls very well.

Fuel economy isn't great, about 20-25 UK mpg in town, and 30-35mpg on the motorway.

The car sailed through its last MOT test with no faults.

I hope to keep this car for a few years more.