SPECIAL VOLVO SECTION

Brief Overview 

Volvo has been around for a long period of time.  The word volvo came from a Latin word that meant " I ROLL" as volvo was originally manufactured a ball bearing.

This page only pertains the general information about the 200 series ,700 series and 900 series Volvos. Please consult your nearest retailer or your service advisor if you have some more questions about these models or any other volvo models.  

200          700           900

The Volvo 200 series  *

Year manufactured : 1975 - 1993  

Engine Variant : B21F / B230F / B 230 FT / B24D / B27F/ B28F

Horsepowers : 98hp (B24D) 114hp (B21F/230F) 157hp(B23FT) 160hp (B230FT)

                             125hp (B27F) and 130hp (B28F)

Body Style : 2 doors sedan / 2 doors coupe / 4 doors sedan  / 5 doors wagon

Nomenclature : 242/244/245/264/265/ Bertone coupe / 240

Major Innovation :

-First production vehicle that equipped with the oxygen sensor (Lambda sond)

-First production vehicle that equipped with 10 mph bumper

-Special limited edition coupe in cooperation with Bertone karroseri in Italy

What to look for :   1

Look for a low mileage 240 series gasoline engine post 1983 model year with preferably low mileage (for volvos standard not for any kind of vehicles). High mileage volvos are very well respected as long as the car has been taking good care of.   It is very common to see an old volvos still running on the road because this car just won't die. It keeps ROLLING and ROLLING and ROLLING. :-)  The normal B230 F or FT with a manual tranny is the best long lasting / worry free car to have in your garage !!!

The early Turbo engine with the intercooler is really cool used car to have especially the limited edition FLAT HOOD TURBO ! This model only came with the 4 doors variant aKa the Volvo 244 Turbo. Volvo stopped manufacturing the Turbo 200 series back in 1985. If you want the TURBO 240, go for the last production year (1985 GLT with the sedan or wagon variant). This particular style is really nice. Although it still has the old Volvo's front end, it has the new redesigned interior that Volvo used for its 1986-1993 model year.

Another special model that is really handsome is the limited CLASSIC Edition. This is the very last model that volvo made back in 1993. It is to commemorate the end of 240 series production. What so special about this car ? well first of all, the car is numerically registered ....Yes there is a production number plate on the dashboard ! Then there is the light scandinavian birch wood trim on the dashboard, A special exterior colour to complement with how handsome the car is, the multi X alloy wheels , and with a body colour trimmed grill.

Beware : The volvo 240 Diesel and the 260 series do not share the same longevity / durability as their brother the straight 240 gasoline engine. The 260 (B27F / B28F) had a chronic camshaft problem. Volvo redesigned the engine with the new B280F which went into 1987-1990 764 GLE's Belly.

The Volvo 700 series *

Year Manufactured : 1984 - 1992

Engine Variant  : B23FT/ B230 F/ B230 FT / B234 F/ B28/ B280F / B24DT

Horsepowers : 157hp (B23FT) 114hp (B230F) 160hp (B230FT)  153hp (B234F) 145hp (B280F)

                             105hp (B24DieselTurbo)

Body Style : 2 doors coupe Bertone/ 4 doors sportsedan/ 5 doors wagon

Nomenclature : 740 / 760 / 780 / Bertone Coupe

Major Innovation :

-First production year that equipped with the driver's side SRS bag

-Equipped with the Volvo's patented side impact protection system (SIPS)

-Equipped with the 3 points seat-belts on all the 5 positions as a standard equipment.

What to look for : 1

Well all the 700 series are very very handsome .... wow ! since I am a 700 series owner then my opinion is biased huh ??? well who cares !! :- ))  Anyway, again just like the 200 series, if you want a good reliable fast car then get any model of the B-230FT variant (780t / 764t / 765t / 744t / 745t ) with a manual transmission.  Ok there is always a problem with the TURBO specially if you all live in the high humidity area (i.e. Houston,TX  or southern Florida). You would most probably replace the Turbo unit more often than any of us who live in the drier climate area. The cost of replacing a turbo can be very high ($800-$1200 for a rebuilt Garret/Mitsubishi Turbo).

Then for the normal everyday workhorse and you don't really care about the performance, the B-230F Variant (744 Base/GL/GLE / 745 Base/GL/GLE) would be your best bet specially with the Manual transmission. The automatic transmission vehicles are good too specially the one with the AW 7x series tranny. The other auto tranny in the early 744 series was built by the ZF manufacture of Germany (buyer beware).

Volvo redesigned the 700 series by replacing the quad headlamp with the flush euro-headlights and the more attractive taillights (just like that new 1990 760 series) for the 1990-on 740 series both wagon and sedan. Whereas the 760 series received their facelift back in 1988 model year. This particular model received a brand new redesigned (more appealing) dashboard that is not easily cracked like the previous years. The quad headlights were replaced by a flush euro-headlights with built in foglites ! The taillights were replaced with the more attractive ones (just like the 780 bertone series). But the major change for the 760 was underneath the body shell. The car received its first Multi-link independent suspension which made the ride even smoother than the normal pan-hard rod suspension like any other 700 series. This suspension applied on the 1988-on 764 series and the 1988-on 780 series.

If you want a luxurious , safe and comfortable car, then the choice would be the last production of the                760 Turbo (not to be confused with the 760 GLE V-6). This model provides a very good ride and yet a very fast performance European luxury sedan ! The car has everything you ever wanted from a luxury car. From Connoly leather appointed seats , automatic climate control, heated seats, power front seats .... You name it , it has them all ! This car is also equipped with the NIVOMAT Self Leveling suspension system (Buyer Beware)

Beware : The B28F engine, a consortium between PEUGEOT/RENAULT/VOLVO had a chronic camshaft problem. The newer version (B280F) is much better engine since they redesigned the whole engine. But It is still wise to stay away from these engines.  This engine went into Volvo 760 GLE (sedans only) from 1983-1990 production year.The other bad thing about this particular model is that the car is equipped with the NIVOMAT Self Leveling suspension system (on all 764 ! both Turbo and V-6). This stuff will cost you a fortune ! It will require a good $500 each to replace the shock when it goes bad ! And yes, you cannot replace it with the cheap Boge/KYB shocks. You either have to buy the original Volvo part or BOGE NIVOMAT for around $300 !!!!! That is absurd for one piece of shock !    The B234F (twin cam engine) needs some special treatment concerning the timing belt. They tend to brake easily if you don't change it religiously every 50K miles. This is the only drawback from this particular engine. The engine went into Volvo 740 GLE (both sedan and wagon) from the 1989-1991 production year and it continued on as a powertrain for Volvo 940 GLE for 1991-1992 production year. The ZF has a minor problem. The transmission creeps when the engine is revved with the transmission in neutral, with the engine and transmission completely warmed. The early 744 models were equipped with this tranny.

The Volvo 900 and 90 series

Year manufactured : 1991 - 1998

Engine Variant : B230F / B230FT / B234F / B6304

Horsepowers : 114hp (B230F) 160hp (B230FT) 150hp (B234F) 201hp (B6304)

Nomenclatures : 940 / 960 / S90 / V90

Body styles : 4 doors sedan and 5 doors wagon

Major Innovation :

Basically these series are a carried over from the successful 700 series. The car has the same chassis and the interior design as the 700 series.  This is the very last RWD volvo in history. This series is also the very first series that Volvo installed a SIPS bag (90 series). The straight six engine was designed in cooperation with AG Porsche of Germany.

What to look for : 1

Well, again, if you noticed something here ..... Volvo has been using its B230F for the later 200 series and all the 700 series ..that proves something don't you think ???  :- ) It means the engine is really good and reliable! So to make the long story short,  If you want a good reliable 900 series and you don't really care about the performance, definitely get the 940 option 1 which equipped with Connoly Leather seats , electrically operated moonroof, alloy wheels and all the "WORKS" !  :-). Unfortunately, all 900 series only come with automatic transmission with the Winter/Normal/Sport selection. I personally would choose the "REDESIGNED 960 or S/V90 " since it has the rounded front end with the smaller headlights and the a clear turnsignal taillights just like any other European touring sedan ! This car is really classic looking ! This car (for the US/Canadian specs) only comes with the straight 6 cylinders engine. The only option available for this new redesigned 960 is for the wagon version. Yes, you can get the Good old NIVOMAT installed on the wagon ! :- )

Beware : Just like the 700 series, the 900 is also equipped with the B234F engine variant. Read the warning on the 700 series section concerning this engine.  And also, all the 964s are equipped with the NIVOMAT self leveling suspension. Read the 700 series warning concerning the replacement part for this product !!

The Volvo R edition

Year Manufactured : 1995-1997                                                                    

Engine Variant : B5254FT

Horsepowers : 250hp (manual) 240hp (auto)

Nomenclatures : one and only Volvo 850 R sportwagon/sportsedan

Body style : 4 doors sedan and 5 doors wagon

This is the nicest car that Volvo ever made ! well at least for me it is ! :- ) the car is equipped with suede/leather seats, choice of dark walnut burlwood or light scandinavian birchwood trim for the dashboard, a huge 17' wheels, lowered front airdam with a built in front fog lights, bigger than average rear deck spoiler and a sport tuned suspension. Basically this car is built in cooperation with the TWR (Tom Wilkenshaw Racing) of Britain. My last word is "WOW !!!!"  This model comes with Red / Yellow/ Black and white exterior colour.

* Applies for US specs models

1 Personal opinion

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