RE: Shed Of The Week: Volvo 940

[grumpy52]

bristolracer said:

Sorry I just dont get this

These cars were nothing special when new, nothing special now. Are we all going to get weepy eyed over a toyota avensis or a nissan almera in 30 years time?

So back in the day before the internet, when you picked up Autocar or Motor magazine did they shout out about the Volvo? Safe? yes, practical? yes, interesting? err no!

Volvo only got interesting when ford took over and some decent chassis were put underneath them.

Really we have to stop looking through rose tinted glasses,just because some of these cars survive does not make them any better now than they used to be. Im not just having a go at this shed, theres been plenty that really were un-remarkable when new and can never be described as anything else now.

But 20 years later with a bit of tweeking ,300bhp , rwd , able to be hustled down the lanes at fun speeds + the look on others faces when grandads volvo blows them away .
I have just gone from a S70 volvo to a 5 series BMW , the Bimmer will not be staying , you either get volvos or you don't .

[Jimbo.]

bristolracer said:

Sorry I just dont get this

These cars were nothing special when new, nothing special now. Are we all going to get weepy eyed over a toyota avensis or a nissan almera in 30 years time?

So back in the day before the internet, when you picked up Autocar or Motor magazine did they shout out about the Volvo? Safe? yes, practical? yes, interesting? err no!

Volvo only got interesting when ford took over and some decent chassis were put underneath them.

Really we have to stop looking through rose tinted glasses,just because some of these cars survive does not make them any better now than they used to be. Im not just having a go at this shed, theres been plenty that really were un-remarkable when new and can never be described as anything else now.

The fact that it's approaching 300,000 miles is a sign of the quality that makes these cars so good. Time tells, and all that. And you just know that it'll do another 300,000 miles with ease. In those eventual 600,000 miles, any other supposedly "interesting" car will have been recycled several times over.

[bristolracer]

grumpy52 said:

But 20 years later with a bit of tweeking ,300bhp , rwd , able to be hustled down the lanes at fun speeds + the look on others faces when grandads volvo blows them away .
I have just gone from a S70 volvo to a 5 series BMW , the Bimmer will not be staying , you either get volvos or you don't .

300hp in that chassis? Theres nothing else of that age you would rather have? S70 is not a 940 is it? Completely different beasts.

Jimbo. said:

The fact that it's approaching 300,000 miles is a sign of the quality that makes these cars so good. Time tells, and all that. And you just know that it'll do another 300,000 miles with ease. In those eventual 600,000 miles, any other supposedly "interesting" car will have been recycled several times over.

I know a taxi driver with an Audi that has done 500k and is still pretty spanking

[klunkT5]

bristolracer said:

Volvo only got interesting when ford took over and some decent chassis were put underneath them.

Sorry but i think you will find Volvo got interesting before their tie up with Ford, How about the 850 T5 and T5-R? How about the 850 estates and saloons in the BTCC knocking out 340ish BHP from a normally aspirated 2 litre 5 pot? Ford put decent chassis' underneath them? You obviously havent driven a sorted 850, 855? If anything Ford cheapened the Volvo quality, Compare an 850 to a P1 V70, Especially the interior and more French electrics.

[bristolracer]

klunkT5 said:

bristolracer said:

Volvo only got interesting when ford took over and some decent chassis were put underneath them.

Sorry but i think you will find Volvo got interesting before their tie up with Ford, How about the 850 T5 and T5-R? How about the 850 estates and saloons in the BTCC knocking out 340ish BHP from a normally aspirated 2 litre 5 pot? Ford put decent chassis' underneath them? You obviously havent driven a sorted 850, 855? If anything Ford cheapened the Volvo quality, Compare an 850 to a P1 V70, Especially the interior and more French electrics.

So why did Volvo go down the road of developing the T5 and BTCC stuff? Oh let me see it was because the 940 was such a dynamic interesting success?

Look im not having a pop at volvo per se, all im saying is that some of these sheds that pop up were not good cars to start with. There were many better cars around at the time Saabs Mercs Bmws to name a few, its not the first week SOTW has come up with a howler, all im saying is get it in perspective

[Challo]

My Dad had one of these. Can't remember the engine but I do remember it had a 4 speed box with manual overdrive.

Never really understood that gearbox and why not make it a 5 speed box?

[jetskiadam]

Challo said:

My Dad had one of these. Can't remember the engine but I do remember it had a 4 speed box with manual overdrive.

Never really understood that gearbox and why not make it a 5 speed box?

20 years ago I drove taxis for a couple of years and the boss had a thing for Volvos and Granadas. My first taxi was a petrol auto 740 estate then after about a year i got a Mk1 Scorpio 2.9 saloon. The only 940 on the fleet was also a 4 speed manual with overdrive. Likewise I cant remember the engine either, other than it was so dangerously slow I thought it was broken. (May have been a non turbo diesel, but it really was along time ago and I'm prepared to be corrected on that). I'm not sure whether it was the asthmatic engine or the gearbox that was the issue, maybe a combination of them and half a million miles but I drove it once and never again.

I loved the Scorpio and the 740 though. Being young and stupid, and let loose in a relatively powerful (to my mum's 1.1 auto fiesta), RWD car meant they both got spun on roundabouts when my ambition exceeded my skill levels...

Edited by jetskiadam on Saturday 9th May 00:23

[will261058]

Surely it is approaching its 4th trip round the clock?

[Devil2575]

Old Volvo estate. Does nothing for me at all.

[wildcat45]

I would love one of these again. I didn't really appreciate them back them. Also 360 GLTs which were great. Looked like a tarted up mums shopping trolley hatch but with two litres and RWD.

I imagine if you replaced the B200E with a B230FT that'd be fun.

Several problems for me.

I don't have space for a third car without some minor ground work at home.
My wife isn't against the idea, but would not "get" an old school Volvo
I'd want a proper 740 or 940 Turbo.
A 360 GLT seems impossible to find.

[Devil2575]

wildcat45 said:

I would love one of these again. I didn't really appreciate them back them. Also 360 GLTs which were great. Looked like a tarted up mums shopping trolley hatch but with two litres and RWD.

I imagine if you replaced the B200E with a B230FT that'd be fun.

Several problems for me.

I don't have space for a third car without some minor ground work at home.
My wife isn't against the idea, but would not "get" an old school Volvo
I'd want a proper 740 or 940 Turbo.
A 360 GLT seems impossible to find.

I really don't get this love of old 80s Volvos. At the time they were boring, dynamically dull, sensible choice for the middle classes before the Germans came along in force. So it's RWD, that doesn't automatically make it good. It wasn't the drivers choice back then and it certainly isn't now.

[Blackpuddin]

congrats on your 10,000th post

[alfa phil]

Devil2575 said:

I really don't get this love of old 80s Volvos. At the time they were boring, dynamically dull, sensible choice for the middle classes before the Germans came along in force. So it's RWD, that doesn't automatically make it good. It wasn't the drivers choice back then and it certainly isn't now.

Like the man said you either get the old Volvo thing or you don't , ive had four,

[Devil2575]

Blackpuddin said:

congrats on your 10,000th post

Thanks
I had no idea till you pointed it out.

[kellyt]

Oh yes! My kind of shed. Lovely thing. Great choice. When you've driven one of these old brutes, you end up buying more of them. They're like malaria, you think you're rid of the bug, but you're not really.

[soad]

Turbobrick
-noun,
1. An affectionate yet self-deprecating nickname for a pre-1996, rear wheel drive, turbocharged Volvo.
“Brick” is a reference to the aerodynamic, aesthetic, and structural qualities shared between Volvo automobiles
(the older boxy variety) and rectangular bricks of hardened clay commonly used in construction.
A turbocharged Volvo. Brick being what most older style Volvos resemble.

[wildcat45]

Devil2575 said:

I really don't get this love of old 80s Volvos. At the time they were boring, dynamically dull, sensible choice for the middle classes before the Germans came along in force. So it's RWD, that doesn't automatically make it good. It wasn't the drivers choice back then and it certainly isn't now.

I understand but as others say you either get it or you don't. A bit like Citroens or old Fords. People pay silly money for a run of the mill Escort from 1977 that a few years ago you couldn't give away.

I grew up with red block Volvis. That's why I like them. For me it's nostalgia, for others perhaps something else.

[FRA53R]

wildcat45 said:

Devil2575 said:

I really don't get this love of old 80s Volvos. At the time they were boring, dynamically dull, sensible choice for the middle classes before the Germans came along in force. So it's RWD, that doesn't automatically make it good. It wasn't the drivers choice back then and it certainly isn't now.

I understand but as others say you either get it or you don't. A bit like Citroens or old Fords. People pay silly money for a run of the mill Escort from 1977 that a few years ago you couldn't give away.

I grew up with red block Volvis. That's why I like them. For me it's nostalgia, for others perhaps something else.

I love old Volvos. For me it isn't nostalgia, the only ones I was exposed to when young were a base ph1 v70 2.4 and a d5 ph2 v70, they were very comfortable but I wouldn't seek another one out.

I always liked the idea of the volvos of old, very staid but with a quirk or two, particularly that they were surprisingly sprightly and very dependable, much like an old dog that still knows a trick or two.

I had a pearl blue 940 2.3 lpt estate and I adored it. I bought it sight unseen off ebay and ended up falling for it. It wasn't very quick but once up to speed it was easy to maintain, the ride was brillaint and the paintwork was the best I ever had (Other than brand new).

For sure you have to 'get' them otherwise they're just one more old ugly car on the road.

[Boobonman]

My 940 estate was the best pound for pound car I ever owned by some margin. Miss it greatly, and am on the lookout for a late 2.3 lpt wagon with the M90 gearbox to be a lifetime keeper \ track car. No, really.

Here is my old beast, a 2.0 turbo with 4sp plus OD, long since smashed up on a banger racing track. RIP K664SKM

[Skyedriver]

Eleven year ago, after 34 years of sports cars, I bought a cheap 740 to move house. Since then, now married with a young son, I have had 4 940 2.3LPT and a 2.5 960. They are superb load luggers, totally reliable durable vehicles that can carry more than a Disco or 5 people in total comfort, return 30mpg and once you get to know them hustle them along just like a Mk 2 Escort or Cortina.
I never in 34 year of motoring prior to that first 740, would have thought I would be seen driving a Volvo never mind owning one.
Last year I jumped ship and bought a Jaguar X Type Estate. Feaster maybe but no where near as useful. I'm now looking for a decent 940 2.3 Turbo or 960 Manual, again as a keeper.
Should never have broken my last 940.