I have been a proud owner of a 1990 760 T. I love rear wheel drive cars. I have been able to do most of my own repairs.

Do you all think I would be happy with an S 90. I do not see them for sale here very often.

Opinions please.

I found a real '98 creampuff last Dec., but it was a lot more than $6000US.
Use it for trailer towing all over the NE US.
It replaced a 240 5 speed.
Down side is that the S90 is thirsty!
With today fuel prices, I think I should have kept the old 240 and parked the S90 until it was needed to pull.
S90 runs OK on regular, but when towing in hot weather I use premium.

Look on e-bay. There are always some S90s on there.

S'V'

Hi;

I ran a 740 for 12 years then went to a 960 (Saloons)
The 740 went through the usual problems only to appear on the 960.

My 960 was rammed by a DD a few weeks ago. His car bounced off the rear qtr and caused an insurance write off because the rear OS (UK) panel moved into the roof line a few mm. I used a crow bar to straighten the exhaust tale and been driving since. Now bought another 960 saloon from Ebay for what is to £500. Plus a few £ for an insurance policy change.

What other car gives you just about every concievable widget at such a low price.

I reckon my Volvo's have cost me £1000/yr over the 20+ odd years I have been with them. So if my 960 replacement last 6 months I in pocket, I hope it will go for several years though.

Another thing with the 960 is that the breakers have tons of parts, I had to change my cat pipe from the manifold for the cost of £70 + tube of exhaust cement, Volvo wanted £750.

Regards
Ian

Start surfing eBay. Look only at 964 from 1996 to 1998. The badging was changed to S90 in late 1997.

Take plenty of time, and if there is one close enough for you to inspect, do so.

Push for copies of the service records. Mine was "born" in a Volvo Dealership, sold to CarMax, picked up by the broker I bought it from. ALL the service, as far as I could see, was done at the dealership. I got 16 pages of records.

Run a CarFax check on the one or two you really like.

There are some real cream puffs still out there. Be ready to pay $6,000 or more for a good one.

Many descriptions list as optional equipment things that are really stock.

We got the wagon, it is the last Volvo that looks like the stereotypical brick, even though it runs like a grounded jet.

Email me direct if you would like tips on eBay bidding.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

These cars have a very limited number of options available.
1.Winter package (Heated seats and mirrors, limited slip differential, ambient temperature gauge)
2.Premium stereo with "CD" and Cassette player.
3.6 CD changer in trunk.
4.Window shades for rear window and rear doors.
5.Wagons you can get privacy or security cover.
6 Trailer hitch
7 plastic tray for trunk or hatch area in the wagons.

1 and 2 were ordered with the car and the rest 3-7 can be bought over the counter at the parts department.

The winter package is something to look for in a car. That one is worth paying extra for.

Thanks Al, now I know more about the car I bought.

It has item #1 winter package. The heated seats and mirrors, and the ambient temp gauge are obvious, I wonder how to determine if it has the limited slip differential?

Item #2, we got the SC-815 CD & Cassette radio. Six speakers, nice sound.

Item #3, we got that, too. Found it by accident, it wasn't listed by the seller.

Item #4, 5, 6 and 7, not there.

I bought a cargo/security cover, and got the screws and clips to mount it, but can't see exactly how it goes in. It was made for a 745/945, but I am assurred that it will fit.

We also got the third row seat. I have wondered if the seat would interfere with the cargo cover. Any ideas?

Thanks again,

Bob

:>)

It is a locking differential, somewhat different from a limited slip, simpler as it locks the wheels when spin is detected. It splits power 50 50 or not at all. A limited slip will transfer power to the wheel with the most traction. A locker is more reliable as there are no clutch packs to wear out. To find out if it has one you have to spin the wheels on poor traction surfaces, both wheeels should spin equally.

I have an 89 245, until recently had an 87 745, my wife drives a 95 944 and since last Jan, I have driven a 96 965 (essentially same car as an S/V90). My wife and I both agree, the 965 is the best car we have ever owned (icluding my Peugeot 504, a Ford Explorer, one Nissan and a Chevy). My wife wants me to find her a 960/S90 (despite the fairly abysmal gas mileage...I get 16 city)!

If you find a good one, you'll love it! Make sure the AC works and the vehicle was maintained at least to factory intervals.

You do not see many of this car for sale because the S90 is the last of the 900 series and production was very small. The car is the same as the 960 previous year. Good car. Much better gear ratio than early 960's. Few quality problem with vinyl on doors even though much more elegant than previous model. Front suspension rear bushings may need replacement very 80-100K miles. Rear suspension huge improvement compared with early models. The car is a Tank and best of its class. The last of the true Volvos.

I will second all of that.

I have a 93 and a 97(aka S90) 960.

I suppose the 93 is a touring car and the 97 a sports touring car.

I was in a 5-Series recently, I don't think I'm missing much with the 97.

Get one, you will love it.

Dan

My wife has a 2003 BMW 530i with the steptronic transmission. A really nice car but she is always borrowing mine. I like the power in her car but otherwise I prefer my '96 965 Volvo. (Plus it is a wagon!)
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 201 HP cams, 128K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

I have a 525i bmw station wagon along with the 97-960 -guess which one is the most comfortable ride-the bmeer is great in the curves, and a little better power-but the 97 with 220 mile on her with a rebuilt front end is a great ride-mielage since finding the leaky o ring on the vacuum block(in the intake) 21 city and 27 highway.
Poolman