6th Aug 2005, 23:50

Please be aware, that while yes, your old Plymouth was good on fuel, it also was not a 3000+ pound automobile. Volvo's aren't made like old Chrysler products, and despite having a sprightly small displacement 4-cylinder engine, they still have a large amount of weight to move. Therefore, the low fuel economy rating you are receiving is not a fault of the engine, it is merely a power to weight ratio issue. The very concept that Volvo produced a 3400 pound luxury touring car that could accelerate to 60 in less than 8 seconds, get that power from four cylinders, and still return over 22 miles per gallon average is a triumph of design and true engineering.

2nd Feb 2007, 13:20

The price of repairs can be expensive if you don't do it yourself. The parts are pricey, but if you do the work your self it pays off. I wrecked my Volvo and the only difference is the paint on the hood and the fender! I did all the repairs and saved thousands of dollars.

21st Jul 2008, 19:12

I just picked up an '85 745 Turbo. It gets 25 mpg headed up into the Arizona mountains without the aid of the 5 gear (over drive), as I have some kind of problem with it - worked for about 500 miles and then started to disengage going up the 17 mile long hill at 114F outside temperature.

The car has 261,000 miles on it, and goes like a bat out of you know what - and gets 25 mpg average - with the OD I was getting 28..

As far as I am concerned, it's a great car - the worst is the plastic parts that are deteriorating - well - it is a 23 year old car after all - can't expect everything to be like new...=*^)

1st Sep 2009, 15:13

3400 pounds? Try 2900, you're some way off! The reason these cars are some heavy on fuel is because the engine and gear box is crude and the car has the aerodynamics of a toilet door.

24th Nov 2009, 11:57

Hi.

The 740 Turbo wagon is under 3000 pounds. Mine has 234000 miles, runs like a rocket and I can get 28 mpg on the highway if I drive conservatively. It's a shame they used poor plastics for the interior, but how often can you get a safe, comfortable, performance wagon for US$3000?

It's a great car.