1986 Volvo 340 GL 1.4 from Singapore

Summary:

It's a tank that's meant for cautious/beginner drivers

Faults:

The tyres gets squeaky within a month after servicing. The steering wheel and the car vibrates rigorously as the speed increases from 60kph. Instrument panel light will malfunction when moody and comes back on when happy. The previous owner has done tremendous servicing within a year e.g. carburettor change, clutch kit change, brakes change, speedometer change, all kinds of motor/pump servicing, exhaust pipe change and the list goes on...

General Comments:

The car is comfortable and I feels good when cruising at high. However, when it comes to traffic lights, the car takes time to accelerate to cruising speed (dangerous in city driving). Lousy power and drinks petrol. When it breaks down, it's difficult to find workshops that have the spare parts. Worse still, Volvo dealer (Singapore) is also relunctant to service the car because of no spare parts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd July, 2000

24th Nov 2001, 14:56

You said that your steering wheel vibrates. It could need wheel balancing and tracking done from a tire shop. Hope this is of use.

1986 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A very reliable car with good performance

Faults:

Nothing major, I blew up the engine on my previous one, but that's all really, apart from the odd flat tyre.

General Comments:

I have just retired this Volvo 340 and bought another 1986 Volvo 340 DL (my third) with 162000 miles on the clock, this one is in almost perfect condition, and hasn't got the wheel bearing rumble that was starting to develop in the old one. The old one was retired as it needed a new windscreen (chips and cracks in the old one from stones flung up), a new headlight (same reason) and the suspension dampers were getting spongey, apart from that the engine is perfect, but the body was a bit tatty (lack of care on my part).

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

Review Date: 30th June, 2000

13th Jun 2001, 07:58

As an addendum to my own review, my new(er) Volvo 340 has been running for a year now - no major faults - I've got this one up to 185,000 miles with only a replacement radiator hose to worry about.

1986 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I fouled up the plugs and flattened the battery, but that was my fault.

General Comments:

It's my first car and I was expecting it to be awful to drive, but I really like it - it's actually quite fun! The pedals are positioned much better than on the Corsa, Clio and Cavalier I've also driven. The seats are very comfortable. The dealers charge extraordinary prices for things (£65 for a battery - £35 from Halfords) but the Swedish and Germans do things much cheaper. It's called The Centurion and I'm thinking of painting it in camouflage...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 1999