(First posted August 18, 2013) Having always had a thing for wagons, I decided that it would be a good time to own another one. Although we already had a G20 and an Explorer in the stable, yet somehow I convinced my wife-to-be that our dog would be much more comfortable in a larger wagon. So off to look we went…
I’d always been a fan of Volvo’s larger wagons, and until the Explorer really took off in the Bay Area I’d often notice red 740 Turbo Wagons (seemingly always with a Golden Retriever in back–the dog must have been in the official accessory catalog, or something). We found a Volvo specialist in Berkeley who had over a dozen wagons in stock, and we settled on a black one with a butterscotch leather interior.
While it had just over 100,000 miles on the clock and apparently originally came from Stamford, CT, there was not a bit of rust on or underneath it, suggesting that it had led a relatively pampered existence. The dealer (actually mechanic who’d started a Volvo car lot) had gone through it and made sure it still drove as it should. Judging by what I saw while looking around it and under the hood, everything seemed to be good, and we took it home that day.
In reference to my headline (Sweden spells Panther as Panter), I think Volvo’s 700 series really is Europe’s equivalent of Ford’s Panther chassis. Looking at length of service (in both the manufacturer and end-user senses of the word), user friendliness, repairability, comfort, value and space for the money, not much else comes close.
First sold here in 1983, the 700 series eventually morphed into the 900, and then into the S90/V90 series before its effective replacement with the S80 sedan and V70 wagon series. Sold with inline fours, V6s, turbo fours, and even an inline six (as well as diesel power!) and offered in many permutations until 1998, they could be found all over the continent.
Prior to our purchase, I had always believed that all Volvos came from Sweden, with a few built in the Netherlands and a few more in Belgium. I was surprised to see that mine was made in Canada; it turns out there was a Volvo plant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that built these from CKD kits for the North American market.
Anyway, back to my car! The black paint was impeccable, the leather inside was wonderfully smooth and soft, and there was just the right amount of firmness to the seats. The pictures cannot convey their level of comfort, as the front and rear seats alike really were all-day and all-night comfortable.
Our dog (who got carsick in the Explorer) loved the back of this thing; as you’ll note, the windows are nice and low, and our dog, who’s a bit on the short side, found it perfect to look out from even while laying down amongst a bunch of luggage during a trip. For some reason I also absolutely love the way the back-hatch badging tells the world it is “Intercooled”.
For the 1990 model year the 740 got a slight restyle, consisting mainly of large, one-piece headlamps, a more steeply raked grille (perhaps from 90 degrees to about 89; it still looked very upright), and the 16” alloys you see on the cars pictured. This wheel is still one of my favorite Volvo designs–it’s just so big, chunky and solid, with a very restrained yet very modern style.
The bumpers, however, kept the same black plastic that always faded to a light gray no matter how much Black Magic, mineral oil, peanut butter or other remedy of choice you slathered on it (peanut butter still works best, by the way). The engine was the B230FT, a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four that developed 162 hp in 1990 models. Torque was a maximum of 195 ft/lbs at 3,450 rpm. With a curb weight of about 3,200 lbs., that’s not too shabby.
Now that I think about it, there were plenty of hard plastics throughout the cabin, but all of them were in good condition, easy to clean, looked to be made of high-quality materials, and gave off a sense of permanence. Other than the seats, the only soft item in the cabin was the new-for-1990 driver’s-side airbag (not that I ever had to find out, thank goodness).
The gauges were legible and easy to read, and it was amusing to watch the turbo gauge move around depending on throttle position and gear. I loved hearing the turbo whistle, and feeling the shove in the back; while not particularly impressive compared with some of today’s offerings, it felt great at the time, and belied what was possible with such a large vehicle. A solid, no-nonsense rear-wheel drive chassis that would offer up very controllable (and enjoyable) wheel spin and slides in wet weather made this wagon far more fun that it had any right to be.
A couple of months after we got it, I was on my way to work in San Francisco when it started to overheat as I got close to my workplace. I made it there, and then parked it. I saw that the plastic radiator inlet neck was cracked, probably having given up the ghost after the hoses were replaced and the clamps tightened prior to sale.
I took BART home at the end of the day, and on Saturday morning drove one of our other cars to my local Volvo parts place, picked up a new all-metal radiator and spent a couple of hours replacing the radiator on the street outside of my work. Easy to work on, plenty of space under the hood, no problems.
We drove it to Orange County for Christmas. It was a really great freeway car, super quiet, those great seats, the dog loved it, gas mileage was good, and even in the California rain it was just a delight to be able to really lounge in it, still controlling the wheel and feeling a smug sense of safety versus the others on the road.
Yeah, it was the “third car”, but really it got just as much use as the others. The automatic made my 37-miles-each-way drive into the city over the Bay Bridge more bearable on those days you just knew traffic would be bad. We also put it to good use during our wedding when we supplied the bar. I now realize that even with the back seats folded, I significantly overloaded the car, filling it from just behind the rear seats to the tailgate and all the way to the roof with dozens of cases of beer, wine, champagne and “the good stuff”.
It swayed a bit more than usual, and the rear suspension was compressed almost to the bump stops, but the turbo just whistled its way up over the grade from Dublin to Oakland without much weight-related loss in performance.
In my spare time (at work) I read up on conversions, like the one offered by Converse Engineering that swapped a 5.0-liter Mustang engine into it. Nowadays, the Chevy LS engines are the ones of choice, but either way sounds like a complete hoot, although I’m not sure how controllable the thing would be. A fun project though, for sure (although I did not ever go through with it).
After a while we noticed that the car was vibrating a bit more than normal and took longer to upshift, revving higher than normal. It turned out that one of the engine mounts needed to be replaced (common 700-series issue, apparently) and that the transmission linkage needed adjustment. Easy and cheap fixes, both of them, and soon the car was back to normal.
If you’ve been reading this series since the beginning, it is obvious that I seem to have a problem holding on to my vehicles for any length of time. While in the long run it is obviously cheaper to buy and hold, I like the variety (sort of like Wilt Chamberlain? Or is James Hunt a better analogy?) and have generally gotten either lucky or been able to spot the good ones and later divest myself of them before they need anything major. I’m still not money ahead, but definitely enjoy driving different things relatively often.
We held on to this one for several years. It moved with us (or I should say it moved us) to Oakland (closer to work) and stayed around until our vehicle count numbered five (for two people); at that point it became superfluous, and we sold it to a private buyer via Craigslist.
Great story! As a kid, I remember thinking these wagons were huge, but I just saw one the other day, and they seem to be perfectly sized– and there is something SO right about one of these turbo wagons in red!
I went browsing the local list de Craig and didn’t find anything worth buying for 700-series wagons or sedans.
The ones I do see are banged up really bad and yet, the owners are asking what I assume is blue book (or above) for vehicles with falling headliners, dings/dents and “needs work”.
What gives? Is it the smugness of knowing that there are people who will pay such a ridiculous sum?
Case in point: http://burlington.craigslist.org/cto/4002561947.html
$2000 for a vehicle that is pretty banged up. Too much? I think so!
“Near-mint” but $1750? Damn. http://burlington.craigslist.org/cto/3999232374.html
Any thoughts?
That wagon seems pricy but the sedan looks good and likely has many years left on it, anything it needs can most likely be fixed be fixed under a shade tree. I don’t think 1750 is a bad price for it at all especially if you can verify the service history which you likely can.
You’re complaining about a $1750 vehicle… that runs… that’s a Volvo… that’s in excellent shape. I think you’re a bit out of touch with reality, sorry. That’d be an easy $3999 where I live. Wal-Mart shopper? Quit buying for bottom-dollar and appreciate a quality product for what it is. God, why did I even waste any time writing back to that ridiculous complaint of $1750?!
You didn’t even have to reply.
Not helpful at all man and by the way, that’s still a lot for an older vehicle.
Should be help enough to realize what a bargain that is. If someone were looking at a $1750 mint 1991….Cavalier for instance, it’d be snatched up. This is a mint Volvo. Volvo is prettier, safer, roomier, more dependable, more powerful, more prestigious, etc. Obviously you now know this car is a bargain. You’re welcome!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to agree, that’s a good price for that sedan. When regular commuter cars start to hit 20 + years, you’re pretty much buying condition of the car and maintenance history. Assuming that it’s mechanically sound, the only cosmetic issue is the faded headlight covers. And that can be buffed out in an afternoon.
That sedan is a very nice example and here would probably sell for more than twice the ask. I had one similar, same color but dark grey leather.
That wagon sounds like a heap and here would end up as parts or in the claws of the crusher. Switches are a common wear issue and are easily replaced and at that price id want them at least included or knocked off the price. Here in the described condition it may fetch $1000 maybe $1500 to the right buyer.
Without pics, I can’t comment about the wagon – rust is a huge issue in VT and isn’t mentioned at all in the ad. Hiding something?
The sedan looks like it’s been babied.
In Europe Volvo’s 700 and 900 series were the only proper alternatives to a Mercedes W124.
(1984 to 1995 E-class).
I am in Sweden now, and it is remarkable how the Volvo 740 are 940 are EVERYWHERE. Everyone drives them, from prosperous middle-class adults to twentysomethings in need of a cheap beater. They are like the 1960s Chevy Impala and Ford Galaxie, combined, in their market position.
Exactly, a nice and unmolested old Volvo (200/700/900-series) is a “classless” vehicle.
Anybody can show up in one, at any time, at any place.
Old Money (owning real estate, not a pile of cash or stocks) often drives one,
especially the station wagons. “Competition” from old Saabs, Land Rovers and Range Rovers.
These people don’t drive an old S-class or 7-series: too vulgar.
Your observations are completely identical to what I have seen. I have met successful business people and some young artistic types, who have all been driving identical 740 wagons. The W126 S-Class and contemporary 7-Series appear nonexistent in Stockholm, on the other hand. I have seen one W126 and no 1990s 7-Series during the past two months.
As S-classes and 7-series are getting older, say the first 20 years of their existence, they are “descending the ladder” in society, unlike Volvo, Saab and Jaguar.
And then after 25 years or so Mercedes’ and BMW’s old flagships are often owned and driven by enthusiasts, thus becoming beloved “classic cars”. Well taken care of, well maintained and in a shiny showroom condition. As you can see at any classic car show here.
What I’d observed on minivans vs. SUVs seems to apply to Volvo vs. BMW/Mercedes as well – Volvos tend to be bought by people who plan to keep it a long time rather than upgrading to a newer model on a regular basis.
“…a nice and unmolested old Volvo (200/700/900-series) is a “classless” vehicle. Anybody can show up in one, at any time, at any place.”
I’ve never thought about it, but what a great way of explaining it! You’re absolutely correct, they are indeed one of the very few cars that can pull that off successfully.
Seems like a car that would fit anyone’s needs unless you have exceeded “8 is enough”. I like that it looks tough enough to replace a truck when coupled with a trailer.
I didn’t really like these when they came out – too square compared to the “classic” shape of the 240. However, as someone said in another comment somewhere, this car is on my list of cars I didn’t like then but like now.
I have never ridden in one of these wagons. I have ridden a few times in a newer V70 wagon, and was amazed at its lack of structural stiffness. I have always presumed that these older rwd Volvos were not like that.
The RWDs aren’t like that JPC. The first time I was in a new 850 I loved the power but hated the weak structure. Turning into a driveway at low speed you could feel the dash creak from the lack of rigidity. They lost a lot when they went to the FWD platform.
I will say this about the 850s, they were nice looking cars. That styling dropped on an updated RWD base would have been something.
A somewhat less square Volvo 700-series, the 780 coupe by Bertone:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Volvo780.jpg
Best of both worlds, Panther and Volvo (name that movie!):
And for the B-wagon lovers, this was also featured (needs wire wheel covers however):
Mrs. Doubtfire of course!
Great movie. Loved that red Volvo!
hey, wanna see my impression of a hot dog?
Great story and I am with you 100% on these cars. We also have a local mechanic who buys and sells them, must be quite common. He parks his on the streets throughout town and I’m going to give him a call to see if he can find me a clean low mileage 745T.
My heart skipped a beat when you wrote about the radiator and engine mount. I was a afraid this was going to turn into one of those crybaby stories about how it’s dumb to buy an old car. The truth is these are painfully easy to work on and the parts supply (used anyway) is excellent.
It will take me a while to find one and it will have to be a late 80s since I decided I can’t live without the four light front end. I hated when they changed it.
Also agree with your description of how the turbo feels peppy, but not like a modern turbo, and how it’s great for “lounging”.
The only thing I don’t agree with is that the Volvo is Panther-like in its ubiquity. I would say B-body-like for one big reason. Somewhere along the line I read where many in Sweden preferred the B-body over the 700 series because they believed the B was more robustly made.
Lest you think I made that up or read it on a B-body site I think it was on Turbobricks. Maybe Tom or Carmine posted it there?
Here is a shot of a red 945 I looked at before I bought my Brougham. The paint was getting thin in places so I passed.
I compared it to Panther only because I like Panthers better than B-Body’s However this site is starting to sway me towards B’s! There are more B-body variants than Panthers so I see your point. In general though I think that people tend to believe the Panther was made longer and is easier to keep running longer – probably for no other reason than it ended production more recently and thus is more visible on today’s roads.
I don’t mind the 4headlight models but then realized that they were never sold that way in Sweden. They were meant to have large one-piece headlights, as Thor intended! Bonus is the larger wheels starting in 1990 as well (although those are easy to put on an older car).
You’ll never hear me crying about hard to maintain older cars. In the Volvo’s case, it’s not just used parts, they are very easy to find new (and better than OEM) parts for relatively cheap – That radiator being a case in point.
Looks like you’re down in the O.C. judging by the phone number on the van. That red Volvo is nice but at first glance seems like a recent ownership change from out of state due to the fairly recent CA plate. I used to see a lot of that when living in CA and it bears checking carfax and/or leafing through the stack of receipts that hopefully exists if the owner does not have a convincing story about a recent move.
I’m in South Bay area of LA. The red car was being sold by a young mechanic who works at Volvo of South Bay. It was a one owner car with service records the whole time from that dealer. Mileage was low too. I know, I know I should have bought it but am a stickler for original paint in good condition and decided to wait for the 80s front end.
Ones like this are really hard to find. He probably got $3K for the car. Plenty available with 200K+ miles for $1,000-1,500 but that’s not what I want.
On the front end, during its run from 700-900-V90 the classic four light style went for half that time in the US. For the latter half there must have been four or five different fronts. In this thread alone I see three. It seemed like Volvo could never quite get it right after ’89 and I hated it. Also didn’t like how they changed the C-pillar and rear glass on the sedan right when I was getting used to the uber box style!
I’ve heard that among Volvo fans in Sweden the US-style 80s lights are highly coveted and a popular conversion.
Great to know that about the new part availability, one more reason to want one of these.
We had a few 700/900 series Volvos in the family, both earlier and later ones. Very good cars overall, and much like the Panther, there were plenty of gradual improvements.
I think the airbag arrived in ’89, not ’90, though; we had an ’89 740 GLE 16V with a driver’s airbag. Maybe only the higher-trim models received airbags at first.
I was a certified Volvo nut for many years. When discussing engines, you indicated there was a normally-aspirated four. Actually, there were two. From mid-89 through the ’90 model year, there was a 16-valve, non-turbo four, called the B234F. I’ll call this an engine to avoid. It is one of the few interference engines Volvo sold, and chances are good that any such car you find today has had the head skimmed and rebuilt. That increases the compression and requires high octane gas.
Also, the powerband was really high in the rev range (remember, this is the early days of 16-valve technology) and the cars with this engine came with 4.10 rear axles to keep the revs up into the powerband. This makes for a revvy, noisy ride, and limits the top end.
Otherwise, the 745 is a great car, as long as you can keep the headliner in place!
Our ’89 had that engine, and it needed some costly repairs by the end. Interesting to know about the axle as well; I always wondered why my grandmother’s ’96 960 was so much quieter from the back seat. (Of course, Volvo probably added lots of sound insulation).
Yep, you are correct re: the engine, I was meaning more the engine configurations than anything else…
Good post there. I have always liked boxy RWD Volvos. In my neck of the woods CL has more then a few 740/940 wagons for good prices($1000-$2500) and they sell fast. Sadly I cannot say the same for the sedan. I have been looking for a good 740 sedan but no one is selling any. In fact I have not seen one for a few years in the wild. I have a 240DL wagon and don’t need a second wagon.
Now as successful as the 740 series was, I can see Volvo ether being disappointed in the sales or mystified as the 740 was created to replace the 240(a car rolling around since the mid 1970’s) and in the end the 240 series both out sold the 740 and out lasted it(the 740 was sold till 1992 and the 240 sold until 1993)
Parts are cheap and a set of conventional off the shelf tools from a hardware store is enough to fix most things
Panther out here is a Mitsubishi Mirage model hardly comparable to a Volvo, yeah OK Volvo was immersed in the Mitsubishi parts bin for a while learning FWD but not for long and not these, 740swere good cars, I see very few this model here though a 850 sedan is now weapon of choice for my bro’s neighbour,
I love these. An ’86 Turbo was the family wagon for 10 years in my childhood. They truly are fantastic seats – still the best long-distance seats I’ve been in (I’ll call it a tie with Recaros), and the back seat was great – best back-seat comfort ever, lenty of room, low beltline, big windows. Felt a bit big and soft but was nice to drive. I’ve always wanted one for stuff-hauling duty in my mythical warehouse full of sub-$5k cars that I like.
I love 740s. My parents had three of them: a red ’88 740 Turbo sedan, wine red ’89 740GL wagon, and dark blue ’90 740GL wagon. Dad’s sedan was the sharpest, but all three were cool. Here’s Mom’s blue car at Lundahl Motors in 1999; Mom had traded it in October ’91 for a brand-new ’92 Grand Caravan ES AWD.
And Dad’s Turbo Sedan, the day he brought it home from the dealer:
What a beautiful, timeless design. I thought the detailing on the 240 and 740 Turbos was exquisite. The black-out trim, air dam, fogs and wheels worked so well together and with the boxy shape. Even the tire tread pattern was in perfect harmony with everything else.
The “Turbobricks” are what I think of when someone says Volvo. That and longevity. Not safety or low priced luxury.
Alas nice 740Ts don’t change hands much. They become part of the family. Not trying to be mushy it’s true and I hate it!
At the risk of stating the obvious your Dad has impeccable taste in cars Tom.
I know it was a different model but did you guys see the Jerry Seinfeld’s web series’ Letterman episode and his hot rod Volvo wagon???
I love these wagons. Styled so nicely, they still look great.
http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/david-letterman-i-like-kettlecorn
My parents had a 1995 940 turbo wagon to replace their 1984 Mercedes 300td, which was passed down to me. I loved the Volvo because if was fun to drive! It was all in my mind I’m sure, but there was something about a huge heavy station wagon that seemed to barley move until the turbo kicked in and pushed you back in the seat.The Mercedes on the other hand, is a great freeway cruiser but not nearly as fun to drive as the Volvo. By the way, they are both still a part of the family, the Volvo with close to 250,000 miles on it and the Mercedes with 330,000 miles on it.
Since you mentioned the Chevy LS conversion, a link to the Volvette is clearly in order…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFrPjMVhP04
544hp. 190mph. Insane. The soccer ball sticker on the hatch makes it perfect.
I am looking at a 1990 740 wagon Saturday and was wondering if 4,000 is a fair price. Seems high to me, but this is my first car and I do not know much about pricing. Automatic. GL. 150,000 miles. Repainted. Says it is great shape, but who knows. I would appreciate advice from those who know cars. Thanks.
hey, picture #8 (the red 740 wagon next to the fence) is my car! neat! I sold it back in 2008 and wish i never had. here is another picture of the same car
Haha, thanks for not minding me “borrowing” the picture! The red ones are great, just needs a Golden Retriever hanging out in back to complete the picture!
Jim Klein,
You picked it up from a Volvo specialist in Berkeley. Would that be McKevitt? I studied at the University of California there and once in awhile would bring up our old ’73 144 to get it fixed there.
No, McKevitt was the actual Volvo dealer, we bought it from an independent, Precision Volvo Repair or Pro-SomethingOrOther, can’t recall offhand. This was around 1999. Right down the street from McKevitt though…He started out with Volvo’s only in a huge metal building and eventually realized the used car business was good for him and ended up opening a separate lot dealing in all brands on the north side of campus.
FYI, McKevitt is where my parents bought their first Volvo in 1960, arranged European Delivery for the second in 1964, and my mom bought her last one in 1986. They’re still in business but no longer in Berkeley. They were just down the street from a more interesting, but long gone, dealership which was somewhat their antithesis: TT Motors, which sold Norton, Ducati, Benelux and Moro Morini, and perhaps more Euro motos I can’t remember. More fun to hang out at than McKevitt’s as a teen ?
Brings back memories of dealerships in Berkeley! Come to think of it, I remember seeing TT Motors on Shattuck (I think).
McKevitt Volvo is still in business – and it seems they moved to an auto mall in San Leandro (the trend these days).
I loved those cars! One of my few regrets is not buying a V90 Wagon when that product line was at it’s end. Unfortunately, at the time, Suburbans fit the family and lifestyle better. I’d still jump at the chance if a good one came up- but they’re getting a bit thin, even in Portland, where they were everywhere once upon a time.
They “classless” comment was perfect. One thought, though- one manufacturer has filled in that gap Volvo left behind. Subaru- Outbacks here are as common in the driveway of multi-million dollar homes as they are in the parking lots of Section 8 housing. The only difference is the age of the vehicle. I suspect they both appeal to buyers of the same mindset, seeking reliable, durable, safe, and useful transportation. Even the obligatory Golden Retriever was carried over. Remember the “Barkley Family” ads Subaru ran?
The Barkleys.
I wasn’t surprised to read that the subject car was a trade from Stamford, CT.
80% of cars in Connecticut/Rhode Island/Maine are a Volvo, it seems. Went with my wife to visit her aunt for a week and even her aunt had one (which was a really nice mid-2000s XC70 wagon, my favorite out of all the Volvos, transmission problems be darned).
In my head all day I’ve been editing and re-editing my response to this, making it less prickly every time. Hours later, it’s smoothed down to this: No. Just…no. I’ll grant you some of the criteria you listed—both the Panther chassis and the Volvo 700 series were in production for a long period of time. But “user friendliness”? No, that’s not really to be found in the Panther cars. You find cheap and nasty materials and thoughtless, shoddy engineering every which way you turn, whether you’re driving, riding, or repairing. “Comfort”? Well, the Panther cars are spacious, but I cannot take seriously an implication that Ford’s cheap marshmallows are somehow comparable to Volvo’s orthopedically-designed, ergonomically-correct seats. Repairability? Well, that depends. Most service operations on a Panther car aren’t all that difficult, but neither are the repairs all that durable. Would you rather do a more-difficult repair less frequently, or a less difficult repair again and again and again and again? Let’s talk about intake manifolds and cooling systems on the 4.6-litre Ford V8. “Value”? I’m not seein’ it. The Ford costs less, but you get less—a lot less. You get numb, no-feel, clumsy handling. You get much worse safety by just about every measure. Where’s the equivalence? On a steady diet of parts and labor, the Ford will hold up long enough to make you wish it dead…how is that good value? The Panther was severely outdated, outclassed, and outmoded more than a decade before it was finally discontinued; the Volvo was defensibly up-to-date right up to the end.
Look, I know the Panther cars have their devotees—so do the Pinto and the Vega and the Gremlin and the Aspen/Volaré and just about every other pathetic excuse for an automobile—and it’s certainly possible someone might have once in awhile said “Dammit, I wish that stupid Volvo would give me an excuse to dump it!”, but c’mon. I think the only water this comparison holds is that which leaked from the Ford’s failed-yet-again cylinder heads. Or maybe the firehose water used to extinguish yet another Panther afire.
I believe you have compared peaches to lemons here.
Don’t worry, you won’t offend me. 🙂 After re-reading the passage in question, I think we have a miscommunication that could have been avoided if I had inserted the word “conceptually”.
No, the Volvo is not meant and was not made to be the equivalent of the Panther. However, in the ways they related to, succeeded in, and are perceived by their target markets they are similar in the same way that a VW Golf Wagon in Europe can be considered similar to a Pickup Truck in the US if that simile makes more sense. No, not the same at all, but fulfilling similar missions for their owners as family cars, haulers, reliable transportation with perceived value for money.
Thank you. That does make much more sense to me.
Aw heck (rolls up shirt sleeves). I’m a past Volvo and Panther owner. I won’t bore you with stories of police and taxi Panthers, but we’ve had three in the family.
Panther #1- ’97 Crown Vic (father-in-law). He drove the car 19 years, 175K miles with one (you read that correctly) repair other than routine maintenance and wear-out items. Heater core gave up the ghost. $500. He gave the car to a grandkid that’s still got it as a DD.
Panter #2- ’98 Grand Marquis. I drove that car 100K miles with zero repairs (yep, again), and sold it simply because of the miles.
Panther #3. ’01 Grand Marquis. I put 200K miles on that car. Two repairs in that period (memo: there’s a trend here). Heater core, same guy put it in, $500. And yes, the infamous intake manifold. Got the part free from a buddy that bought a motor and put a blower on it. 4 hours later, had it in. Sold it (if you call it that) to parents of my daughters friends that hit a rough patch and needed a cheap reliable driver. That was almot four years ago. They stilll have it, still gets him to work everyday.
So… are these Volvo’s durable and reliable? Absolutely. But based on my own experience, over 475K miles worth, I can state de facto your own conclusions on the Panther are absolutely off base.
Regards.
No, they’re not “off base”, they’re different from your rosy anecdotes—which I could match, one for one for one for one all day long, with equal and opposite horror stories, if I were interested in such a pointless squabble. Which I’m not.
In that case I must just be lucky. Excuse me while I go buy a lottery ticket.