I currently own an '86 740 GLE, but it lacks highway passing power.
I'm in the market for a 940 Turbo or a 960.
Which model years are best for these vehicles?

I've generally heard that you should stay away from the 960 series, but I need some passing power, are there any reliable model years with these cars?

I've also heard that the reliability of the 940 series varies with the model year, can anyone provide me with some insight.

Any and all responses are appreciated.

I drive an 92 960, bought it last year with 188.000km on the clock (about 117.500 miles). I did not yet have any problem (213.000km or 133.000 miles), and the car is just amazing to drive... i like it best to just cruise around (i can even call it cruising at 150km/h), but the 2.9l 6cylinder has more than enough power to stand up against other cars in traffic (people are generally amazed to see such power in a car with such a lame image). This car needs proper care, and should be maintained every 15.000km by a qualified volvo-mechanic. The engine is known to be sensitive, but with proper care it should easily run up to 500 to 700.000km, like swedish cabdrivers do.

I have a 92 965 with 195K miles I bought about 4 months ago. I love it. Transmission programming for torque converter lock-up is terrible so I put a switch in to turn it off for around town driving. Mine came without the load leveling shocks so I bought some at partsbin.com for $206 each. You need the load leveling shocks to keep the car level and so far mine work great. Everything works great. The engine purrs like a kitten and burns no oil. Very tight and solid car.

Dave77,
What a great idea to turn off the torque converter lock-up for around town driving. I find the my 960 annoying around town as a result of the programming. Could you tell me the instructions on how you did it? I would appreciate it very much.

92-960 170k

I have driven a 240 and now I drive a 92 960, 170 000 km. Despite a 205 hp and 195 ft.lb engine, the 960 is not a performer. I don't know what you mean by passing power but the 960, because of its weight, in not much better at passing than my 4 cyl. 5 speed 94 Sunbird (in the city the Sunbird kills the 960). The 960 is a very comfortable cruiser capable of high speed but not acceleration, in the city the body is too heavy for the engine and it handles like a truck. I found the fuel economy to be very good for a 2.9L inline 6. At about 145 km/h highway speed I computed the fuel economy several times to be about 9.5 L/100 km. In the city I get about 11.5 L/100km. The issues I had so far: AC refrigerant leaked out and the fix cost $1100 Canadian, diff. is dripping a little, I hate the load leveling shocks in the rear (unless moving the car does not sit level), the tranny frequently hunts (quirky software? switches? not worth my time!) and last week I noticed an oil spot on the bell housing of the torque converter (don't know what the deal is yet). So far (except for AC) I have been able to do most of the work myself. The parts are very expensive in Canada for this car, and the car is relatively complicated (i.e. changing the fuel filter, 15 min. job on a 94 Sunbird a hassle on the 960). I don't know if other 7xx or 9xx models are better than the 960 but the only reason I got this car is that I could not refuse the offer. In general Volvos are not performers (maybe the S60) but they do have a reputation for good ergonomics and longevity. Overall we have enjoyed the car, it is loaded has lots of room, well made (no rattles), still feels tight. My only concern now is that the car is aging and I am starting to feel nervous taking my family on longer trips. An old car is an old car no matter who made it. I don't think we will put any money into it other than for maintenance.

good luck

Wait and find a 95 940T. Oil cooled pistons, meatier engine block, rear wheel drive and a damn reliable and easy to work on engine. I'd stay away from the 960, just ask Toyota Tom.

The 95 940 was the most refined version of the b230ft, a motor implemented in 1985 by Volvo. Over ten years, they improved on an already sound motor immensely.

Only problem is, the 940 never came with a manual transmission in the US.

Roguls
New York,USA

i would look for a '94 or '95 940SE
they are dependable as a rock
plus the '94 and '95 years are the last and best itiration of the B230FT engine

and if power is what your looking for, look down for information on the Dawes Device (http://www.dawesdevices.com/) according to previous posts you can achieve around 210-250hp.

the 940Se is just a 940turbo engine with a 960 body
again, it's said to be the best volvo ever made

i can attest to that (although the 850 is an awesome car too - however in a race, the 940Se kills the 850Glt off the line b/c of the turbo)

happy hunting-
look for that '94-'95 940Se

Hi,

I own a 1991 940GLE. Its a 16 valve, B234F engine. Since the day I bought (2 years ago) until now it has been nothing but a heartache for me. It requires constant care and the maintenance is higher than the 8 valve engine. So since you asked, you will do yourself (not mention your wallet)a favour by staying away from 940GLE, 16 valves.


velan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I own a '96 965 that I got about 2.5 years ago with 58K miles on it. I've been through about $1500 in parts to get it up to 91K miles spread fairly evenly in time. The biggest $$ chunk was replacing the AC compressor & associated stuff. The biggest pain to fix, was the intake manifold gasket.

I think maintenance has been average for this year. The 960 got a major suspension and wiring redesign in 1995 so '95s seem to have some "first year" issues. Then in '97 & '98 as the end was in sight it seems the build quality went down. Maybe '96 was a "vintage" year for the 960?

The major suspension design change in '95, added to the existing power, made the car equal to a BMW in handling in my opinion. I REALLY LOVE MY CAR. It is fun to drive!
--
'96 965 at 89K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

With the name "Fred Sanford", you are presumably in the right business to be looking at 960's.

For more reliability, try a 940 turbo car.

Go for any year 940 turbo. Reliability doesn't vary much with any x40 since 1975. These cars are rock solid. I have no experience with 960's and want to keep it that way :-)

Some people will extol the virtues of the piston oil squirters that were introduced in the 940s in '94 or '95. But somehow the previous models were all OK without them.

So any 940 turbo will probably be OK for you.

Good luck!

I have a 1991 940SE and I have to say it is an awesome car. They are had to find, but if you can jump on it, they are said to be one of the best Volvos ever made.

Louie,

What is the difference in the 940SE? In the 740SE it involves different bumpers and lower body moldings painted the same color as the rest of the car. Is the 940SE a similiar package? Are there any performance modifications on the 940SE? Thanks.

Randy

I have a '91 945 SE / I purchased last year @ 86'000 for $6900.00
1 owner and dealer maintained. original window sticker in glovebox shows
list for $34,500 back in '91 ! This to me was a "find", I expect at least
10 years of service from this car. The 940 SE is a '91 model only, it was a
960 with a turbo 4 motor. major differences from regular 940 turbo are -
1 - 15" rims unique to 940 SE and early 960.
2 - interior and dash are 960 / 760 type, tilt steering wheel, larger T/S + wiper switches on steering column.
3 - pass front POWER seat, power heated mirrors, front + rear foglamps, cruise
it has the nivomat rear shocks.

940 SE /vs / 740 SE - from what i have seen the 740 SE was mostly body / paint
differences on loaded 740. 940 SE is 760 evolution or early production 960
with turbo 4 motor. I have noticed similar year model 765s are very similar.

one thing for sure my wifes '91 745 does not come close to RIDE / build quality
of my 945 SE. oh almost forgot - 945 front rotors dont warp every 15-20k like 740 rotors do.