So I have been reading so many posts about 7/8/9 series and I do not know what to get. I just got rid of my 1999 S80 T6 which was the worst piece of shit ever and I want to stick with a Volvo. But I want something reliable with fairly low matinance. I don't mind putting some money into a used car for new shocks and whatnot, but I do not and cannot spend 1000's to constantly repair it. I need some good advice.

I've looked at some 94-96 850's and been looking at 740's and 940's. I would like a turbo because that extra power is always nice but I dont want the turbo to be a big repair issue down the line.

Any and ALL advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance and happy driving,

Barry

I've just got rid of my V70, a 2.5 litre diesel. I found it reliable but the little details annoyed me, like its habit of dumping a load of water all over you when you wet in on a wet or dewy morning. I also found the V70 too torque steery, it needs traction control in slippery conditions and doesn't have it. The 4WD version is very nice to drive, but I'm told the transfer boxes are starting to prove troublesome. I've driven one but never owned one.

I still have a 940 SE turbo automatic, I slightly preferred the 740 non turbo overdrive car that I owned before it. The 740 is not as refined as the 940, but is more fun somehow. The 940 is reasonably well screwed together. I don't think there is a great deal to choose between a 740 and a 940. Buy on condition, not age. Turbo's are nice but not essential. It depends on what you want the car to do. Drive one of each and decide whether the extra power is high on your list of must haves.

Personally I've decided there is nothing in the current Volvo line-up I want to own. I've just bought a 2001 Mercedes E320 CDI diesel wagon and so far I'm very impressed.

Regards


Pete

For what's it worth, I would get a late model(93 to 95) 940 turbo. That's what I am looking for right now. I have a 92 960 with a trashed engine but found a 91 940SE that has been a great car for me. All the advantages of the 960 but not the headaches with the engine. I haven't heard too many good things about the 99 S80 T6, even the sales people at the dealership say to stay away from them. Well that's MHO.

In my opinion, the 940 Turbo would be the best one. You'll always have the turbo looming out there as a maintenance item, though, on any turbocharged car. They'll usually last for a long time, but it doesn't guarantee that you might not see it being replaced one day.

Basically the 940 is the most refined of the 4cyl/RWD models. The most comforts, best seats, quietest, nicest equipment, good ride, nice A/C, good to drive. But the heart is still what it used to be -- 4cyl/AW71, just like for the last many, many years.

However, the later 850 and especially 99- S70 are very nice. They are more complex, however, and they do have their failure points. Nowhere nearly as bad as what the S60 has proven to be, though. The later 800 and S70 cars have much better auto transmissions than the early FWD US models. The leaky rear main seals were upgraded in 1999, I believe, which solved THAT big nasty repair bill, at least put it off for a while longer. Also, the 850/S70 non-turbo still has a nice engine and puts out decent power; far better than the non-turbo 900 series cars.

There are weak spots to many of the later FWD cars, but if you're looking for cars without that many weak spots, Toyota makes a bunch. My favorite mid-sized Toyota is actually the Lexus ES300, a very nice car, solid, long of life, etc. Basically a really nice Camry. I used to wrench on Volvo and Toyota side by side, and I always wondered when working on late model Toyotas (mostly Camrys and Avalons, some Lexus product), why can't Volvo build a car like this? It's just that everything seemed to work all the time. Most Volvos had something or other broken, nonfunctional, in the process of malfunctioning, etc.

But I still drive Volvos. I have 2 940s and without a doubt, they are the most reliable of the whole stable of Volvos I've owned and driven. And easy to work on, more self-diagnostic (smarter), more safety features, std. ABS, bags & belts, etc. Very good cars. And decreasing in supply.

I wouldn't get any of those. The simplest and cheapest/easiest to repair is a 240