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I'm not a professional translator but here goes;
{my comments within curly brackets}
mila
Volvo 740/940: Safe, boring and the best buy.
{Picture text}
Torbjörn Hägg has had several Volvos earlier. He's an employee at Volvo and can have beneficial car loans.
Torbjörn: This is my best Volvo.
Yesterdays king of big cars is todays king of used cars.
There is no used car who can compete with a Volvo 740/940 in the long run.
The simple construction contributes to low costs and the high quality gives few repairs.
Together the simple, robust construction and the good quality makes the 740/940 the unbeatable used car. Lately the prices have descended.
To own: Brilliant. A better economical alternative for a big car cannot be found. Spare parts in every shop, you don't have to buy OEM, and prices are generally low. Every independent workshop could tackle a 740/940 that together with the 240 is the most easy car to repair. If only the service is done and the car is maintained the engine usually runs until someone kills it. A regular GL usually takes 1l/10 km {about 23.5 MPG}, choose one of these instead of the more complicated and more thirsty 16-valve engines or turbos.
To drive: Maybe not the most spirited drive in the world, but rather a real bore. Dull and without refinement but with a certain robust charm just like a tractor. A noisy engine and a rough {read manual} transmission enhances the feeling of an old car, but the calm, secure and leisurely behaviour on the road is very forgiving. Minus for the tendency to skid in the winter.
Comfort: Old-fashioned solid rear axle is not optimal on bad roads but in other aspects the 740/940 boasts a better comfort then most of the cars of the same age. An odd feeling of robustness, good shock absorbing and absolutely wonderful front seats makes this car a surprisingly competent highway machine.
Space: Quite OK. Modern cars with a transverse engine are "higher density" but the 740/940 still covers most needs. The estate is exceptionally spacious and practical because of its boxy shape.
Safety: 40% better than average according to Folksam {swedish insurance company}. Airbags were options already from 1990, for the driver it was standard from -93 and for the passenger in -94.
Feeling: The last "real" Volvo presents mixed emotions. Of course it's an old relic in many ways: boxy, noisy, clumsy and morose. But it is hard not to like a car that is so exceptionally reliable, long-lived and economic. And as stated before, there is no better used car - nothing beats age and experience!
Sideline
Name: Torbjörn Hägg
Age: 50 years
Occupation: Instructor
Car: Volvo 740 GLT
Bought year: 1995
Miles: 162000 km {101 kmiles}
How much did it cost: 110 000 SEK
Has there been any fults: I have replaced the starter motor and rear brake rotors. Those are the only major repairs I've done.
Do you enjoy it: Yes! I've had Volvos earlier, but this is the best.
Why a Volvo: I've been a employee at Volvo for 25 years and this way I've had advantegous loans with a low interest. This is how it began, plus the fact that the later 740's are a well proven construction.
Volvo 740 GL -90
Price new -90: 145000 SEK
Engine: 4 cylinders, 2316 cm3, 116 hp
Mileage: 0,88l / 10km {26 MPG}
Weight: 1370 kg {3020 lbs}
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Long time quality, rust protection, total cost of ownership.
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Skids easily in the winter, old fashioned.
Look out for: Engine oil leaks, bad ball joints, damaged steering rack mount points, uneven braking, stuck calipers, weak parking brake.
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