Hello all,

I was in need of a new used car, and I always wanted to get a Volvo, and I guy I "some what" know decided to sell his (family politics on his end are forcing him to sell it). So for between $1200 and $1700 he is offering me a 1985 740 GLE with 92K miles that looks like it is in fairly good condition. The variation in the price range is based on any work that the car may need done. But, I don't know a thing about Volvos, much less this paticular year and model. The car has been sitting for 8 months, so there mat be some inital "start-up and get her going" expenses. Oh, I do know that the tranny and clutch was replaced 8 months ago. And there are a few minor bugs with it - things like broken brake lightbulb, one electric window that doesn't work, gas tank indicator doesn't work.

What can you guys tell me? Should I jump at it or run? Was this model and year a good one or a bunch of lemons? What will I mostl likely need to do to the car mechanically? What high dollar items usually fail on these cars? What should I look out for? Since I do have some mechanical ability, what fix it manual would you recommend?

Thanks so much for whatever advice you can give me, and I'll proably become a regular member at this BBS.

That car should have the B230FT turbo charged SOHC 4 cylinder. The turbo can be an expensive repair. Take the car to an independent Volvo shop and have it inspected. Post here with your city and someone will recommend a good shop.

Check especially for rust. Spare tire well, wheel opening arches, and under the front carpets. Check the engine and running gear, and the accessories. Cold A/C? It's an R12 car, old Freon now very expensive. How is the headliner? Does it have any books and records?

If you get it, plan on flushing and changing ALL fluids. Oil, Trans, power steering, and brakes.

If it passes, you may have a sweetheart of a car.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

I bought same year, model about two months ago with very low mileage(38k). So far I love the car. General wisdom seems to be that if the engine wiring harness has not been replaced it will need to be. When I bought mine, the gas gage was also broken, but so were the tach and temp gage. My problem turned out to be that someone had re-assembled dash incorrectly. It was an easy free fix, once I diagnosed the problem. The one thing that would concern me would be the car sitting ever since the tranny and clutch were replaced. Was it ever on the road since?

Dane(85 740 GLE)

Come on! You gotta be kidding here! 38K miles in 17 years? That's just a hair over 2000 miles per year! Oh, and with the funny problem with the Dash.... or could it be that the intrument cluster was removed/replaced/tampered with!

I'd be a little more than suspicious here!!!!
JJ

Actually, mileage seems to be correct. Was owned by proverbial little old lady till 1 year ago. Carfax showed title transfer with 26k miles in October 2001. Was always serviced at local Volvo dealer(New Motors) while owned by original owner. They were able to provide me with a copy of service records which included mileage at each incident, including yearly state inspections.Reciepts for most services were in glove compartment, along with all original manuals. Second owner had several jobs performed by a less reputable garage in our area, and I think they may have worked on dash. General condition of car is consistent with low mileage. BTW, I just spotted obit for original owner in local paper, died at age of 89.

Dane Klaproth

whoa! Sounds like you have enough 'proof' with the services records and the Car Fax... Hope you did not take my previous post the wrong way, There is a serious lack of ethics and morals is people these days and specially in the used car business... I just hate people that 'turn-back' odometers and otherwise take advantage of good honest people!

Good Luck!
JJ :)

No offense taken. I have to admit, I was skeptical when I first looked at the car!

Dane

I am new to Volvo's too since my dad just gave me his old 1985 740 Turbo (77,000 miles), but I have done a lot of work on it myself to get the bugs out of it. It's pretty easy to work on if I can figure it out since I have not done much auto repairs, but I am an electrical engineer so the electrics are easy for me. This board is a huge help; the only manual I have is haynes.

Anyhow, I thought I would mention that I had the brake light problem too when I got the car, and it cost me about $300 to fix it because the tail light plastic housing was actually melted from heat. Both complete tail light assembly's had to be replaced. I noticed that the new ones from Volvo have an aluminum plate over the main brake light socket. This would act like a heat sink so they must have had a problem in the past with the plastic melting. Once the housing melts the spring loaded sockets cause the shape to deform beyond repair unless you actually rewire the sockets by hand - too much trouble for me.

That was actually the most expensive thing to fix yet on mine and I have replaced a bunch of things: radiator, belts, hoses, thermostat, heater valve,heater hoses, distributor, and now I have to change the muffler and harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) about $1000 to get it back in tip top shape.

If it were me, the thing I would want to check is the compression and whether the oil had been changed frequently. You may end up having to change the engine wiring harness if the insulation has deteriorated too much (about 300). The FAQs here will tell you most everthing you need to stay on top of, but it takes a while to digest if you are new to the car like me. Take the time to read them though because it will help you a lot.

Cheers
Randy