Which Volvo to buy?

[gmpalmer]

Howdy all,

I posted also on the 850 board.

I have a 93 940 wagon I love. I have a 99 Passat that is dead. I want to replace it with another Volvo wagon. I am predisposed to RWD, but I don't really know the differences between all the versions.

We would like the integrated booster seat and the possibility of 3rd row seating.

I have heard that we should avoid turbo on the red engines. Is this true or only true for some years?

What are the differences between the 740, 760, 940 and the 960? -- only 4cyl v 6cyl?

Are all the 240s diesel?

Thanks for your help and
Sorry for being a n00b,
GMP

[billofdurham]

Sorry for being a n00b,

No apology necessary, we've all been there and some of us even have the T-shirt.

I prefer RWD and am looking for a good one to replace my 850.

The integrated child seat first appeared in the 960 in '92 and the 940 in '93. It was not available on the 740/760 models.

I have not heard of any problems with the red engines with turbo. My 940 had the turbo and never gave me any problems, so I am looking for a turbo version for my next car.

The differences between the 740 and 760 were not just the engines. When first introduced in 1983 the 760 had a V6, 2.8 engine and was a saloon (sedan).
In 1984 the 760 turbo saloon appeared with a 4 cylinder 2.3 engine. Bang went the Volvo designation of cylinders in the model number!!
In 1985 the 760 turbo estate (wagon) appeared, again with the 2.3 engine. Also in 1985 the first 740 GLE and 740 turbo models were launched.
The 760 turbo was phased out in 1990 and the 740 followed in 1991/2. In 1991 the 940 was launched to replace the 740 although the last production run of the 740 was basically a 940 with the 740 badge.
There were minor differences in the specifications of the 740 and 760. As an example leather seats were standard on the first 760s and an option on the first 740s. Things changed as the models progressed.

The 940 is a 4 cylinder 2.3 but can be turbo or non-turbo. In the UK we also had a 2.0 turbo or non-turbo and a 2.3 8 valve. I am not sure if they were available in the US. The 960 is a 6 cylinder 3.0 although in the UK we also had a choice of 2.3 turbo and 2.4 diesel turbo. In 1995 the diesel was replaced by a 2.5 petrol engine. It was nearly powerful enough to make the wheels turn.

Finally all 240s are not diesel.

Bill.

[gmpalmer]

Thanks, Bill.

We're looking at a 1995 turbo 850 wagon for
$3,500 and a 93 960 for $1,700.

Obviously the price difference is vast, though the odometer does not work on the 960 (the owner guesses at 140k).

[billofdurham]

One question I did not answer - the third row seats. These are available for most Volvo estates (wagons). They are suitable for two children but have a weight restriction of 88lbs and 53" height per child.

My opinion is that these can be very dangerous in the event of a rear end collision. The children could be trapped and it may be harder to extricate them from the luggage compartment than the normal passenger compartment. I stress that this is my opinion and I know many people would disagree but I have attended two accidents where this did happen.

Bill.

[matthew1]

Whatever you do, avoid the V6.

[DeRail]

Whatever you do, avoid the V6.

I thought the majority of the problems only afflicted the B28F?

[billofdurham]

The B27F, B28F and B280F were all PVR (Peugeot, Volvo, Renault) engines. This collaboration was one of the worst things Volvo did with the early engines as they were all affected by the cam problems.

The B28F was used in the 760 from 1982 to 1986 and the B280F from 1987 to 1990.

This from Swedishbricks.net gives an insight into the problems. The first post relates to the 260 bit it is the same engine from a disastrous joint venture.

http://www.swedishbricks.net/faq/engpvr6.html

Bill.