12th Jul 2005, 11:43

I did the original posting on this volvo 940 since the time I first bought it. I have replace the front brake pads added a lower chassis brace ant top strut brace to improve handling. The pad cost me $18 the brace cost around $54 shock bracket 90 so not bad. I did all the install. One thing though I had an issue with the car not holding idle recently tried to diagnose, but could not. I took it to the shop with the same result $50. So I called IPD the asked about the fuel filters age. I had no clue so I just replaced it cost $20 and 30 min labor the car had since ran fine. The point is the parts could be had at a reasonable price if you do your home work. The service is expensive after all it is a volvo. But if you can turn a wrench and read its not too bad. It is well worth the money....

31st Aug 2005, 17:08

I recently brought a 1993 Volvo 940 at an auction in Summerville, South Carolina it has 169,000 miles on it. I drove it approx. 50 miles to my home and the engine over heated. It wasparked for 10 days and then towed to a Volvo dealership in Charleston for repairs. I was told I need a new engine. that's all I am saying.

3rd Oct 2005, 05:15

I have just purchased a 1993 Volvo 940 Turbo wagon with 112K miles on the odometer. The 940 wagon is basically a 740 wagon - you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference, especially from the rear (if you ignore the model badge). There are three main reasons to buy an older Volvo: cost, ease of maintenance, and longevity.

Cost: I paid $2750 for my car in New York City, from a private seller. Having owned an 84 240 DL sedan, an 86 740 sedan, an 86 740 wagon and 90 240 wagon, I am would have to say that I have generally gotten my money's worth on each vehicle, putting many mile on each.

Ease of maintenance: Volvos do require regular maintenance; most machines do. Things also break. Volvo B230F engines are longitudinally mounted, which means the timing belt, front oil seals and water pump are easily accessible. Since timing belts are a regular maintenance items on many cars, this makes it much less expensive to do. The motor mounts also wear out on the older Volvos, but they are designed that way. The mounts are supposed to shear during a frontal crash and allow the impact energy to be absorbed by the engine, instead of driving the engine into the passenger cabin. Because of the materials necessary for this, they wear out faster. However, they are also relatively easy to change and the parts are not expensive. Also, people buying older cars in poor condition, without having a mechanic check them or having the knowledge to do the check themselves, may very well get a car like the person above that overheats. The fact that the engine had to be replaced is more likely due to the person above driving the vehicle in an overheated condition instead of stopping immediately. Regarding parts cost, you can get many parts after-market and they work fine. I have done that, but I also have a connection with the parts manager of a Volvo dealership to buy at a discount.

Longevity: I know a person with over 2 million miles on their 1960's vintage Volvo. I had 227K on my 240 wagon before it was totaled in a car accident (nobody seriously injured, by the way). I had probably 240K on my 740 wagon when I sold it, and it still ran just fine.

Anybody purchasing an older vehicle and expecting nothing to break, especially electrical components with motors like sunroofs, motorized seats and mirrors, etc, is kidding themselves. After years of use, being subjected to the elements, wires corrode, connections become lose, parts wear out. Older cars definitely need more repairs and maintenance. However, they are a lot cheaper to own than a new vehicle, that has a regular $300-$600 monthly loan payment. I certainly don't pay that out for my cars each month.

11th Apr 2007, 01:12

We started driving Volvos way back in the early 80's and now still have an old 93 945t. We also have 4 SAABs, all real 900s. I know we are safe in accidents as my wife and daughter could have both been killed in an accident when they where t-boned by a Dodge 4x4 truck Thank you Volvo! They were in a 1983 240. These cars are over the top in so many ways.

Too bad Ford and GM has ruined them.

27th Jul 2008, 18:28

I own both a '93 940 Turbo Wagon and a '97 850 Wagon. I prefer the 940 completely for how it drives, the small turning radius (parking is a snap). The 850 is clunkier, too low to the ground and not nearly as attractive in design. I dislike the console layout on the 850 too.

24th Apr 2009, 01:57

940's ROCK! Need I say more?

18th Sep 2009, 16:25

I bought a '93 Volvo 940 wagon over a yr ago. I like this car a lot. I've gotten it tuned, a/c fixed and other odds and ends, like wiper blades and hoses. I want to keep this car for a while, so I do have to put more money into it. Got to do the front end. So far I've replace the inner tie rods. I wanted to get new shocks, but was told I need strut bushings. I think that was it is called. They hold the strut in place. They run about the same as a strut. Until I do everything concerning the front end, I am running on nearly bald front tires.

23rd Jun 2010, 16:31

I purchased a Volvo 1193 940 turbo wagon last summer for $3500.00. It only had 78,000 original miles on it. I did a Carfax report before I purchased it, and took it to my mechanic and asked lots of questions before purchasing it. My previous experience with Volvo has been very positive. We purchased a 1988 740 GLE wagon new, and it is still on the road. The air conditioner broke and we had to replace radiator and two water pumps. Also a clutch after 288,000 miles. So, I have been disappointed that I have had to spend over $2000.00 on this car in less than a year for repairs. I keep hoping each one is the last. Thankfully, I have a wonderful, inexpensive mechanic. If I could just get it to a maintenance stage, I could handle it. I am afraid each time I drive it that I will get stuck on the side of the road. I am going to take it to the mechanic one more time, and hope this will be the last for at least a year. I need a financial break.

16th Apr 2011, 14:43

I own a 1993 940 2.3 GLE with 127000 on the clock. I got it for £500 and after a small amount of work it's as good as a Volvo should be, drove over 600 miles in a week, not one problem. It has never let me down. With a service and some TLC these cars will last you a life time.

My dad owns a 1996 960 3.0 24v. This is also a great car with all the bells and bows and power. Both of these cars are the last real Volvos. If you overlook them, you'll miss out.