Hi
Looking to buy a plain jane 740 with less than 90K. Has all the papers, and has been well maintained - and is in perfect shape. I would be the third owner. Asking 4800.

Any known issues with this model ?? Price right ??

I know that 89 models had wiring harness problems (had one), and want to make sure I did not see something major like that here.

Also it was driven in FL for the first major portion of it's life. I know that rust can be a problem from northen salt on the roads, but what about being near the coast in the south.

Thanks for the advice. Neat that we have a community of knowedgeable bricksters.

Andrew in AL

94 940T - 145K
91 940T - 195K

Price seems high even for an outstanding model. I bought an '89 740 Turbo Wagon with 87K miles on it back in '99 for $4,000. Granted, there were slight mechanical and visual problems, but she's still running nicely now at 110K.

Combined with the rusting risk you are facing, I would say stay away.

The price is a little high--$4000 or so would be more like it, unless it's completely immaculate. Make sure to look EVERYWHERE, inside, outside, top, & bottom, for rust or evidence of body work, those are the worst problems to deal with.

No major problems with this model. I've been very happy with my '89 745GL (very similar model).

If you had wiring harness problems with an '89 it was an anomaly; according to information here and elsewhere, the faulty insulation that caused the wiring harness problems in the 80s was only used through 1987.

As a bonus, the '90 models introduced reformulated interior plastics that don't crack & shatter like the old plastics did.

This section of the FAQ will tell you even more.

jeff daigle
'89 745GL 144,000mi

Well maintained, low miles, papers, etc; price is right.

You're buying a car with low miles, not based on year. They will always pull more money with low miles. Auction price, 91 740, miles under, was almost four grand wholesale not that long ago. I watched it with amazement. And it wasn't really that beautiful either.

However a nice 740T sedan, m/y 1991, miles under, went for only 2300 wholesale. The sedan/wagon part is what really makes a big difference.

--
Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

If it was driven anywhere with in 20 miles of the coast there could be a major rust problem. Example: My mother lives on the water in Naples Florida. Her car is within 75 yards of the beach. One of her friends took her car in to the dealer this summer for routine service. The service manager came out to the waiting room and asked her to call her insurance company. The manager told her the car was Totaled. It was a 1997 Buick Park Ave. with 35,000 miles on it. The car was totaly rotted out underneath. The insurance company took one look at the car and wrote her a check. No questions. In fact a car that has been owned by the coast has a worst rust problem than one owned in Buffalo NY.

Remember, the 740 is fully galvanized, except for the roof and the aluminum tailgate. I'd recommend, based on what others say on this board, to go for as new a 740 as you can afford. Even a 940 if you stay away from the fancy ones. Depaends on what balance of simplicity / features you want to strike of course. 1991 was the last year for a manual transmission. Around that year they introduced the smoother dash which is not so prone to cracking but I hear that access to the instrument cluster is not as good.

This issue comes up so often, someone should summarize all this once and for all.

Bill
--
Volvo Info Site 1990 745GLE 16valve

I own a 90 740 also. (Actually, it's the wifemobile.) I like the car and it serves us well.

Pricewise though, I would say more like $3500 for a very nice, well-kept one; $4000 ABSOLUTE MAX for an exceptionally outstanding speciman (which you may have found).

N.A.D.A., which is the database that we use at the bank, and all dealerships use for prices, has the plane old 90 740 right at four grand, with the mileage adjustment. Keep in mind that that is what you would probably pay if you were getting it from a dealership, so I would think you should get even less on the private market.

For what my two cents is worth, I certainly wouldn't pay that for it.

Hope that helps.

Sam

Thanks for all the input, guys.

The owner has come down to 4500. I am going to look at it soon. It is said to be perfect in every way, garage kept. It is a reddish color outside (almost like deep lipstick), and has the dual fabric design inside in grey.

I did get the VIN, and the motor designates out as B230F (LH 2.4). What is the LH 2.4 ? Anyone know ??

Andrew in AL