1990 Volvo 740 GLT 16v 2.3

Summary:

An underrated stunner that deserves more credit even if it is not pretty

Faults:

Nothing. The car has been well-serviced by Volvo specialists (but not Volvo main dealers) and has been utterly reliable.

General Comments:

OK, it is one of the ugliest cars ever made, a cross between a Cadillac and a Lada on steroids, but they are cheap to buy, safe to drive and great fun when wound up.

The 2.3 dohc engine comes into its own at 5000+ revs and although its handling reflects the lump that you are driving, it out corners and out brakes cars that think they are far superior. A Bison in Wildebeast's clothing!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2000

1990 Volvo 740 Estate SE 2.0 petrol injection

Faults:

Owned for last 4 years and 50k miles.

Only major fault has been a crack in the wire from the engine management system, which caused sporadic failures to start, and took a couple of weeks to track down.

Tail-gate struts failed.

Lots of minor electrical naughtiness:

Instrument, dashboard and side lights are forever blowing; I don't think we have ever had a complete set all working at the same time!

General Comments:

Performance reasonable for 2 litre in such a big body.

Handling better than you would think when unladen. Gets a bit tail happy when fully loaded.

Ride good on smooth roads, but definitely jumpy on rough roads.

Plenty of passenger and load space, which is why we bought it.

Power steering and incredible turning circle make it extremely manouevrable, but still needs a big parking space.

Fuel consumption about 30 MPG in mixed driving.

Servicing costs astronomical - if I'd known at the outset, maybe I wouldn't have bought it.

Needs service every 6k miles, main Volvo dealer expensive and not very good. Have switched to an un-franchised Volvo specialist, who gives much better attention, but is still quite dear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd January, 1998

2nd Jan 2001, 18:15

I have a 1989 model and agree with most of the points made. Mine has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I bought it in 1992 with 98k and it has now done 155k.

Oil pressure and compression is almost as new.

The only non service items replaced have been a water pump at 105k, original exhaust at 110k, tailgate struts at 140k, rear calipers and rear discs at 150k.

The only real weaknesses are the bulbs which do blow too often. Servicing costs are cheap as apart from cam belt replacement, I do it myself.

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