1992 Volvo 460 GL 1.8 from Belgium

Summary:

Horribly unreliable car, mildly fun to drive

Faults:

The head gasket blew at 200000 km, the engine had to be revised entirely.

The hand brake gave up at 210000 km.

The fuel pump broke down at 220000 km.

The mono-point fuel injection system had to be replaced at 242000 km.

The clutch broke down at 260000 km. In order to replace it, the engine, sub-frame, front suspension, gearbox, starter motor, power steering assembly and lots of other bits and pieces had to be removed.

The rear suspension is worn out (springs) and in need of replacement.

In general, the car is very hard to work on which leads to high repair costs unless you do all the work yourself.

General Comments:

It has a nice engine, with quite some torque at lower revs (2000-3000 rpm). Driving the engine above 3000 rpm isn't really worth the hassle.

It runs on LPG and consumes about 10-11 l/100km.

Seats are very comfortable and can be adjusted in all imaginable positions. Getting in and out of them on the other hand is an adventure.

Ventilation is poor and noisy.

The position of various switches, knobs and handles is very poor. I like all the little compartments to stow my stuff in.

In the back, there is little leg room, and the luggage compartment is very impractical.

The quality of the paint is bad and has gone completely dull after 10 years. There is no sign of rust.

In general, built quality is certainly not what you'd expect from a Volvo (especially the squeaking and shaking dash).

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

Review Date: 27th August, 2002

28th Aug 2002, 17:27

There is something wrong with your expectations especially when buying a car with a high kilometre history.

Head gasket blowing is a sign of overheating/poor maintanence at that mileage

Fuel pumps break and at 210K km that's not terribly surprising.

Hand brake cables need to be replaced after awhile

Ten to one the injectors were only *dirty* so many people replace them when they only need cleaning.

Having a clutch go at 260K km is only to be expected, hell I'm surprised it didn't need replacing sooner.

Moving all those components to replace a clutch is fairly common, even more so with FWD cars.

At such a high mileage of course your springs are going to be sagging a bit, more likely your shocks are worn out.

The paint has faded in 10 years because you need to wash, polish and wax paints to keep them looking nice after 10 years, they don't just look after themselves.

All cars with 200K km plus will have squeaks and rattles... all cars.

It makes me wonder if you test drove the car before you bought it and have very "unreasonable" expectations of vehicles.

7th Jan 2003, 14:55

It most definitely sounds like the expectations are too high. I would have said that the faults with the car are fine considering the mileage - it has probably done almost 300,000kms by now!

The car sounds more like it is doing the owner proud, rather than the other way. Even though he never polishes it!

The clutch life sounds great.

My 440 has only just needed a clutch at a 155,000 miles and my 480 is still on the original at 123,000 miles - Volvo obviously expect these cars to do some mileages!

18th Mar 2006, 06:45

I had a 460 GLE. I have, as of yet, never had a car to beat its reliability. From new, we sold it at 175,000 miles ten years later. Apart from general wear and tear like brake pads and wipers that are to be expected (even then, it took a long, long time before they needed to be replaced), the shock absorbers suddenly went one afternoon, and we changed the catalytic converter twice. that's about it. it didn't even have a speck of rust, which from england, and living by the sea, is very good.

1992 Volvo 460 li 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A relieable cheap family car, with a bit of go

Faults:

At about 70,000 miles the heated rear window stopped working.

I have a very slight coolent leak, about a pint every 6 weeks.

The boot springs have got weak, and let the boot lid fall down.

General Comments:

I have done a lot of motorway miles in this car, and you can drive all day at 70-80 mph with no problems.

Not the best of looking cars, but very relieable.

A good size boot, a good safe family car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2002

1992 Volvo 460 GL 1.8 from Belgium

Summary:

A cheap, but very reliable car

Faults:

I got the car from my parents who bought it new.

The cooling system leaks and I have had to get the radiator replaced as it cracked at around 175000 km. There now is a larger radiator installed, but nevertheless the engine still tends to overheat during summer.

Ever since I got it, there has been a certain friction on the steering wheel. This is especially hinder full on the motorway. I don't exactly remember when this first occurred.

The leather interior is now starting to wear out a bit.

The brakes feel rather spongy, but work well. Except when driving on the motorway when it rains.

The interval of the window-wipers no longer works. But the two other speeds go well.

General Comments:

It has proved to be a very reliable car that also gives a rather save feeling to drive.

Even though it doesn't seem to be a very fast car at first, it can be surprisingly vivid with the throttle pushed down.

It is a bit thirsty perhaps.

I like the leather interior, but the suspension is pretty though and too soft at the back. Resulting in driving with the springs completely down when you take a few friends and some luggage.

The original Volvo radio is very nice.

The gearbox-changes are pretty difficult when it's cold. It gets better when warmed up, but the first always is rather hard to get into (worn synchros?) and the fifth isn't always easy to find.

I am currently thinking about buying a 480 turbo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2002