Hey brickboard,
I gave into my wife to not try and make a project to restore my 85 760 wagon and went and bought a 91 740 turbo wagon a few months ago. I must say the 740 is nice, and in great shape, dealer maintained etc. But the car lacks the personality of the 85. I also did not like the dash and the cramped interior. I felt the 91 was a great car just not anything I would want to keep and maintain for many years. So against the opinions of others I sold the 91 last weekend for the same price I bought it for. I am in the doghouse, but I know that what I am doing is best. My 760 needs a new wiring harness, tires, rear shocks and springs, bushings, and brake pads i am sure. Nothing major but time consuming. The 85 has 220,000 on it, motor is sound! The turbo still has some pep left in it yet. The body is in great shape and interior other than headliner and drivers seat. The reason I am partial to these models is one, they look MUCH better than those funky headlights and wussy body of the newer 700's. I mean the body may not be any different, but those headlights sure make it seem that way. The 80's 700 was in my opinion the utlimate interior design, perfect!, i have not ridden in a car today that is as well designed and roomy as the 80's 700. My 85 is STICK! What is a turbo without stick! So I am goin to restore my car and hope i can find a good leather driver's seat and take the car to 300,000+. I did not mean to offend any newer 700 owners, just my opinion which is not worth a cent. I dont miss the newer car a bit.

Anyone know sites that talk about people restoring 700's?
I know the 240s are becoming popular to restore, I think 700' will too!
Jacob

been there done that, my 85 765 was a pile when i bought it..but the oil and trans fluid was clean, and i have pretty much rebuilt it from the ground up, with many mods, engine suspension...and who says you cant put the late model motor in the eariler car (future plans)....ive done all the work myself(water cooled turbo update, auto to m-46 conversion. down to a custom instrunment cluster i built, a one of a kind, and an intel powered mp3 box where the 3rd seat used to be.) got any questions just ask.

P.S. i think the 4 headlight cars look much meaner than the 2 headlight ones. if u can call a family wagon mean. my wagon eats beamers for brunch.

I think the 90+ body style is far superior. Rear tails, actual front spoiler and more subtle curves on the hood make a nice difference. The lighting on the 2 headlamp 740s are definitely better than the older 4 headlamp 740s as well. And you can just swap bulbs instead of taking apart the whole damn headlight to replace a blown bulb. Also, you lose a bit of acceleration w/ a stick in a turbo. When you are shifting, you are letting off the gas and the boost drops...in an auto, during shifts the turbo does not lose any boost. I do enjoy my stick, though, and I have a 91. My girlfriend has an 85 and it is an auto. I do like the older gauge clusters, but the hvac unit in the older ones is comparable to a 70's chysler: they suck. As for the car itself, in 1990 volvo made some nice changes to the turbos. Smaller turbocharger for quicker boost fitted with a better flowing exhaust manifold; very nice upgrade for around the town driving. Not as much high end power as an older turbo but this can be helped by adding a bit of boost, which is safer w/ the 90+ cars as the engine internals were upgraded. I don't see any difference in the roominess of my car as opposed to my girlfriends. Plus, 1984-1985 Volvos have made a name for themselves for having serious rust problems. You might want to check that out. And the wiring harnesses went bad on them as well; my girlfriend's did as did plenty of peoples' on this board. Usually, the longer a car goes in its model life, the more improvements are made. The 95 940T has been called pretty much the "best" Volvo out there as far as features and reliability go. That was the model's last year.

Ah, opinions, opinions...

Roguls
New York, USA

I dont know, the 91 is nice. Probaly has the diagnosing system on it. The turbo is watercooled too. You are right on the interior and body. Complete dissapointment I think as well. I have an 87 wagon turbo and it is far nicer to me than the newer ones. I could never get used to the look of the big dorky headlights either. My wife and I looked at them but settled on a 90 240 wagon instead for my wife. My 87 is not in the best shape interior wise but the body has held up nicely and the motor is decent. I would love to keep this car a while as well. I think the newer 700s should have been labeled 900's.

It's funny your going this route, I going the other, minus the turbo. I picked up a 1990 740gle with the B234F dohc for $300.00. Had great exterior, interior, wheels, all electricals seem to work, but the head was blown. I'm trying right now to get the head rebuilt and I like the look of the 2 headlight system over 4.

Also, to me, the hood and fenders have nicer lines. I also have a 1985 740 na that I have practically rebuilt, and it drives and handles great, and even though I've never been a fan of bigger cars, I do enjoy driving this one with the IPD swaybars, new shocks, poly bushing, etc.


By the way, I'm in cincy also, If you ever want parts for 740's pre-87, try Bessler's in Hebron, ky.

jr. where in Ohio? I'm in Cinci.

Jacob,

I agree with you. My 87 740 Turbowagon rocks. I did somewhat of a resto on it thanks to a local junkyard. A new (used) wiring harness - $20. It must have been replaced before the car was junked, I got lucky. New (used) tan leather interior -$75. New (used )Midas from infront of rear axle back -$10. Misc interior dudads. All scrubbed and clean, wife is pissed that I won't let her drive it because I don't want dog hair and 10 yr old debris in it yet. It has some dents and dings and the paint is iffy, but it still shines and you just don't see many. Especially with air dam and foglamps intact.

Good Luck, Art