Faults:

Immobiliser fault. Reprogrammed, now OK.

Lambda sensor fault, high emissions, replaced, now OK.

Exhaust replaced (normal wear and tear).

Aircon re-gassed.

Split rear engine mounting replaced, thump when reversing.

General Comments:

Very pleased, excellent runner, good performance, very smooth and quiet, strong body, solid feel, very stable at high speeds.

A little dated now, but polishes up superbly.

Economy is quite reasonable for an 8 valve OHC of its time. Multi-point injection, cat etc, are all standard.

Bought with a full dealer history, self maintained since, and only required specialist service for an immobiliser fault.

Faults:

No problems with the car so far... rear fog light does not work, that's it...

General Comments:

I drove a Volvo 440 GLT 2.0i before this car, that was a regular basic Volvo 440 2.0i, so altogether over ten years of experience with this model.

What I like about this car is the fact that it's reliable, has a good engine, and that it is a hatchback, can be convenient, and is also 30 centimeters shorter than an 850 sedan, so makes it easier to park, especially when you live in a city.

Driving conditions: can be interesting in wet weather. Taking bends at high speed, slightly bad roads can cause the tail to break out. Can be improved a lot by using a different wheel set, low-profile tires, the car is a few centimetres closer to the ground, and makes the car stick to the road a lot better at higher speed and when taking bends; tangible safer driving feeling... average consumption 9Liter/100km.

Faults:

My 1992 440 has lots of smaller problems now. Repairs will cost more than buying another, younger car.

General Comments:

Looking forward to collect my "new" Volvo 440 1.8l 1996 tomorrow. Since my old Volvo 440 from 1992 didn't pass the yearly check. Had it for 5 years and drove it for almost 60.000 km. Total 250.000km.

Starting again with a 1996 car at 187.000 km, because I totally fell in love with the 440.

Lots of inside space, "tons" of luggage. Never let me down.

Faults:

Have had it fully serviced - plugs, oil, oil filter, new battery, front and rear brakes, new timing belt, radiator fluid change and coil springs on both sides.

This is standard stuff, that I always check and make sure is done whenever I purchase another car.

General Comments:

The car has a bulletproof engine, it's cheap and economical to run. I pay roughly £300 for fully comprehensive insurance, and the petrol seems to last forever, considering its built like a tank, and considering it is a 1.8 engine.

I'm really happy with this purchase, and hope to buy another Volvo in the future.

Faults:

Remote locking sets alarm off when locking the car (has to be locked with the key).

Immobiliser light flashes when engine running.

Handbrake warning light has intermittent operation.

Rear brake caliper needed replacing as lost nearly all the brake fluid.

Mid and rear exhaust sections needed replacing as separated (very quickly).

Front wipers replaced.

General Comments:

These are seriously old school Volvos, in that they're very boxy, have a cheap, nasty interior, and handle badly.

However, my 440 had a certain charm, and felt like mechanically it would go on for ever and ever (I view the items above as wear and tear).

Plus points for me were a very torquey engine, which would pull from 20 mph in fifth, which also gave quite nippy performance, plenty of space inside for the size of the car, a decent spec level for its age inc aircon, and its non-burstable feel.

Minus points were definitely handling and partly ride; these 440's have zero steering feel, roll excessively and don't grip very well, wet weather handling is best described as interesting, and it really did struggle to keep up with modern traffic round tight corners (my new car, an S-reg Laguna doesn't!).

Also, probably down to design age, above 75 mph there's a lot of wind noise and the engine gets very harsh when revved.

Overall I'd never buy another 440, although would definitely buy another Volvo -- there's something about them!

It's gone to my 65 year old father-in-law now, which is really the sort of person it belongs with!! I'm happier with my Laguna, which cost me £150 more, and feels light years ahead on just about every count.