Faults:

Radiator at 220 000.

Two timing belts as required.

Discs and pads as required.

One power window - faulty switch.

Speed worked when it wanted to.

Aircon died.

General Comments:

Even though these are cars are getting on, they seem to age very well. I bought mine in 2006 with 220,000km, and sold it in May 2013 with 375,000, and it barely gave me any trouble. I always had it serviced every 7500km (mostly by my mechanic, but sometimes myself). This is an easy car to work on, and I am no mechanic.

This car only broke down twice in my 6 years ownership, and once was a flat battery and the second time was also something minor.

I only sold the car due to a number of potentially expensive leaks. One was the rear main seal, which would require the gearbox to be removed, and the other was a power steering leak. The body had ZERO rust.

Minor annoyances were the speedo (worked when it wanted), air conditioning played up a few times, and one power window kept playing up.

On the whole, a very tough, reliable car, which I always felt very safe in. I would strongly recommend this car, especially for students. Just do yourself a favour. Find one that has been well kept, and keep up the maintenance, and this car will serve you very, very well. Last of the rear-wheeled drive Volvo legends...

Faults:

Air conditioning is weak, brakes wear quickly unless you replace with grooved rotors, fuel pressure regulators weak and regular service/maintenance is required as suggested.

General Comments:

1992 and later has SIPS-advanced side impact design (exceeds 97 standards).

90+ has the best motors, stick with the 2.4 four, the AT is heavy duty/truck standard.

Well made, upscale components, quiet, reliable and a little low on mpg due to low gearing (940).

Love the cars, own a 740 wagon & a 940 sedan.

Note: Volvo should make retro sedan/wagons with simple 740/940 engine/drivetrains; they would be a huge hit if they were smart!!!

New Volvos have 12+ black boxes @ 1,000-2,000 ea when they go - too complicated!! Already collectible/ high demand for these cars 90-95 740-940 8 valve, 4, non turbo! Excellent paint, very comfortable and easy to wrench on!!

1992 is the most collectable - SIPS, tallest gearing, etc. $25K+ new!

Faults:

When I bought the car, it had seen a lot of "deferred" maintenance. I have since replaced most of the A/C system, spark plug wires, a set of tires, power steering rack, water pump, heater control valve, front shocks, front brakes, one motor mount, one transmission mount. I have replaced the radiator fan with a used one.

As of now, this car really rocks! It drives basically like new (with the exception of some creaky suspension bushings.) I just got done with a 500 mile trip, in very hot weather, at high elevations. Not one single problem. And it's getting about 26 mpg.

The above list does sound sort of expensive.. it totals about $2,300. But, my gestalt of this vehicle is that, properly maintained, it will go much farther. The cost of the repairs I have made over the last two years works out to about $100 per month. That's a pretty reasonable "car payment".

General Comments:

This is a lovely car. It drives very nicely, handles quite well and has reasonable power with the intercooled turbo. It can be driven at high speeds for long distances without fatigue of driver or machine.

It "requires" premium fuel, but I usually put in regular and it seems to run fine. The car is very comfortable, fairly quiet and has a smooth ride.

As I drive this car, I am reminded how cars were designed and built before the marketing committees took over from the stylists and engineers. This is an honest machine, makes no pretenses, and was built with obvious pride. Where can I buy a new car like that now? I find myself smiling as I drive it.