Need a Volvo in my life... but what to look out for?

[BiMU]

Hi,

At the moment I drive a 1990 Mini. And although fun to drive and fairly economical to run, when I do have running problems it could often mean me not getting to work or getting around. So I've been looking at getting a second car, I like a vast array of cars but recently I just love the look of the 340. I also like how people who I've talked about it say that it's built like a tank! I was just wondering if I could ask you guys a few questions and sorry if they've been asked many times before...

1. How thirsty are the 340's? I'm looking at the smaller 1.4 model.
2. Are they easy to maintain? (I own a Mini so know my way around most of the engine so not afraid to get my hands dirty!)
3. What are the insurance costs like on a 1.4? (I'm 30 now... gosh just saying it hits me like a ton of bricks!)
4. How easy are they to drive? Do they come with power assisted steering etc?
5. And how much roughly should I be looking at spending? I kinda don't want to pay over say £500 is this price realistic?

Hopefully you guys can help me out, thanks in advance.

Jason

Oh here's a pic of my Mini. Hopefully if I can get a Volvo I can add some subtle touches to make it unique.

[MCHUDD]

Hi mate.
Welcome to the 300 world. The 1.4 is easy to run and does not need power steering as it is rack n pinion.
The tax will be the same as your mini. As a second car you can insure it as a classic.
There is plenty of room to fiddle about in the engine bay also.
As for being 30,lucky B******d.
Cheers Mark.

[volvosneverdie]

Nice Mini dude.
Yeah, 300s are easy to work on, and the 1.4 is unkillable. I tried by dropping a washer into the carb then taking it for a test drive. I got off with just a broken spark plug.
Rust is your enemy really. So have a good look at the sills, rear arches, jacking points, front vallance (though not an mot fail) before you pass money.

Theyre pretty thirsty for the power you get TBH. Downtuned from factory for reliability over performace, so the story goes.

Theyre a lot of fun, cheap and reliable though. And you cant get anything RWD cheaper.

Welcome to the forum.

[Ride_on]

The 1.4 340s are fairly easy to run and can be economical but I had varying results from <30mpg for a 1980 model to 45mpg for an 1985 model. The 1.4 doesn't last for high miles though (>150k would be rare), there are more about and still the odd 'nearly brand new' one popping up. The 1.4 engine is the same type as the mini ..OHV tappet followers, cam chain etc, but not crossflow. The 1.7s are more refined but I've had bad reliability with them.

If you are looking for a backup car then the 360 is more robust and luxurious than a 340 using the 2l engine from the 240, but much less economical. Mileage is not an issue for the engine, but they should be serviced properly of course. Check for oil and cam belt service.

Unlike the bigger Volvo's the 300 series is not hot dip galvanised so rust can be an issue, although its probably better rust proofed than the Mini. Check sills and jacking points.

A fine 300 could be got for £500, but you will have search hard to get a decent one.

[BiMU]

Hi mate.
Welcome to the 300 world. The 1.4 is easy to run and does not need power steering as it is rack n pinion.
The tax will be the same as your mini. As a second car you can insure it as a classic.
There is plenty of room to fiddle about in the engine bay also.
As for being 30,lucky B******d.
Cheers Mark.

Hi Mark thanks for the reply. Oh I didn't know you could class it as a classic!? Does it have to be a certain age? And yeah dude! I'm 30, when I was younger I thought that 30 was mid-life! How wrong was I!

Nice Mini dude.
Yeah, 300s are easy to work on, and the 1.4 is unkillable. I tried by dropping a washer into the carb then taking it for a test drive. I got off with just a broken spark plug.
Rust is your enemy really. So have a good look at the sills, rear arches, jacking points, front vallance (though not an mot fail) before you pass money.

Theyre pretty thirsty for the power you get TBH. Downtuned from factory for reliability over performace, so the story goes.

Theyre a lot of fun, cheap and reliable though. And you cant get anything RWD cheaper.

Welcome to the forum.

Sup VND!

Hahaha you intentionally dropped a washer in there!?!?! Just wondering if the 1.4's come as carbed or injection? Or does that depend on the year of manufacture? Oh and what are the manufacturing dates from.... is there a particular model to avoid or one to have a super keen look at? I've seen a 2.0 one in the sales section which looks wicked, but I'm guessing it's a thirty mother!

Ah so rust is a problem... same as the Mini!

How thirsty is thirsty? I think I've managed to work out the Mini does around 32-33 mpg. I'd be using it everyday for a 30-40 minute journey, stopping and starting at lights and stuff!

Oh I've seen the fun you can have... I originally wanted to drift one but wasn't sure how enthusiasts view that.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

The 1.4 340s are fairly easy to run and can be economical but I had varying results from <30mpg for a 1980 model to 45mpg for an 1985 model. The 1.4 doesn't last for high miles though (>150k would be rare), there are more about and still the odd 'nearly brand new' one popping up. The 1.4 engine is the same type as the mini ..OHV tappet followers, cam chain etc, but not crossflow. The 1.7s are more refined but I've had bad reliability with them.

If you are looking for a backup car then the 360 is more robust and luxurious than a 340 using the 2l engine from the 240, but much less economical. Mileage is not an issue for the engine, but they should be serviced properly of course. Check for oil and cam belt service.

Unlike the bigger Volvo's the 300 series is not hot dip galvanised so rust can be an issue, although its probably better rust proofed than the Mini. Check sills and jacking points.

A fine 300 could be got for £500, but you will have search hard to get a decent one.

Hi Ride_on

Thanks for the info, good to hear that I can still tinker with it!

So I'm guessing that difference between the 340 and the 360 is the engine size and creature comforts? I'd be using it as a daily driver so economy would be one of the things I'd be looking out for...

Ah sills and jacking points, and yeah Mini's are super prone to rust, it's one of the reasons I'm looking at getting a Volvo! Are parts cheap for the 340/60?

Ok so £500ish that's good to hear!

Thanks for the info! Nice friendly site! I LIKE!

[volvosneverdie]

340 1.4 and 1.7s are all carb. (renault engines)
360 Glts are inj and GLEs and GLS's carb. Apart from GLEi's (Volvo engines)

Best I ever got on a 1.4 was about 35mpg round the doors.

In a 2litre 360, I personally found it was about the same.
Others may have found different.

A 1.4 will slide it the wet, but its obviously easier with a 2.0.

Theres lots of Trad and Mod/Drift enthuisats here and we mostly find theres enough room for everyone.

[macplaxton]

Oh I didn't know you could class it as a classic!? Does it have to be a certain age? And yeah dude! I'm 30, when I was younger I thought that 30 was mid-life! How wrong was I!

Depends on the insurer, but generally 20 years and older (which of course most 300s are) Besides, it doesn't even have to be a second vehicle (again depending on the insurer). I've got three cars / comp /unlimited mileage / etc. all on one policy for a £103,(getting on a bit now at 36 ) and unless you like in an insurers' nightmare area, it shouldn't cost a bomb.

The only models I'd shy away from are very late ones - I don't do cats.

[BiMU]

Thanks guys! I guess it's just a question of me finding one now! I've seen a few adds in the For Sale section so may give them a thought! Anything else I should be aware of?

[volvosneverdie]

Thanks guys! I guess it's just a question of me finding one now! I've seen a few adds in the For Sale section so may give them a thought! Anything else I should be aware of?

Just the stuf fyoud normally look for on a second hand car really. No major faults. Carb models can have carb base warp problems. So drive it if you can. Everythings fixable though.

Where abouts in the country are you dude?

[BiMU]

Oh mate! I'm sooouuufffff! Well Hounslow, right next to Heathrow airport!

[BiMU]

Don't worry I'm still searching...