Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

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Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

Post by Ride_on » 04 Nov 2013 12:55 am

As per above the red block are bomb proof and will last as long as you want. Can't think of any problems that would ruin a long drive? Fuel pump fuse clips behind the battery can be a bit weak, blower fan thermal cut out might rust, otherwise basic maintenance on the brakes, oil changes, fix any water leaks etc. They really do go on forever (bar corrosion). Mine has 200K (miles) on it, did have the alternator overhauled, the bearing was a bit noisey, otherwise strong as the day it came out of the factory.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

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williswoody
Posts: 102
Joined: 02 Oct 2011 10:55 am
Location: Queensland, Australia

Re: Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

Post by williswoody » 07 Nov 2013 11:09 am

TIPSY RIGHT NOW! LOVE MY VOLVO! (Not just cause I'm drunk haha)

No one is interested in my Proton. Faaaark, I wish I didn't buy it now :( what's a good way to sell it quick? I want to have at least $2000 on top of it, so that I can fix up the rear springs in the Volvo, and then pull a dent out of it.
I really want to get my 360 back on the road, it was such a good car.

Also, to the last two posters, thanks for the info. The only thing I'm worried about is having problems on the side of the Pacific Motorway at the Gold Coast, QLD. Well, actually on the highway, but having to go to the side of the highway haha.

I've heard highway driving is actually less stress on your car, but my parents have me convinced that it (the Volvo) is not for long drives.

If I was to drive down somewhere far away, I would get it checked over by a mechanic though. Sensible thing to do, right? Actually, when I take it for a Safety Certificate, I will ask the mechanic if he thinks it is suitable for that sort of journey.

:)
1984 VOLVO 360 GLT HATCH Owner. First car. Aussie. Uncertain of it, after it's started playing up lately :/

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trabitom99
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Posts: 4398
Joined: 06 Jan 2007 02:38 pm
Location: Bonn, Germany

Re: Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

Post by trabitom99 » 07 Nov 2013 11:26 am

You won't know it, until you try it out. It takes some time to get to the point where you "trust" a car enough to go on a long journey. As has been said before, maintenance is the key. The car can't help it if a brittle cambelt fails, the brakes are worn, or a tyre bursts.

My injected 360 GLi was reliable to the last (till the rust got too bad). The only surprises I had in 12 years and around 175.000kms of ownership were:

an electric fault (swapped the renix and everything was OK)
the suspension leg cups failing on one side

Other than that the car felt like it would go on for ever ...

Cheers

Tom
343 GL Touring B14.1E CVT (155) 98000kms 1980 (sold)
343 L Junior B14.3E MT4 (155) 229000kms 1981 (scrapped)
343 DLS B19A MT4 (155) 167900kms 1982
360 GL Injection B200F MT5 (231) 348598kms 1988 (scrapped)
360 GLT B200F MT5 (302) 230000kms 1988

macplaxton
Posts: 3283
Joined: 09 Feb 2008 02:29 am

Re: Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

Post by macplaxton » 07 Nov 2013 11:42 am

trabitom99 wrote:It takes some time to get to the point where you "trust" a car enough to go on a long journey.
Or not as the case may be! :D
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

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trabitom99
*** V3M DONOR ***
Posts: 4398
Joined: 06 Jan 2007 02:38 pm
Location: Bonn, Germany

Re: Torn between my Proton Persona and my 360

Post by trabitom99 » 07 Nov 2013 12:00 pm

Ah MacP, but you are a man of many skills :-) I wouldn't have trusted myself enough to go on that eurotrip with your Black Beauty.

The bravest thing I've done in a car is drive to the UK and back in a just-bought 300€ Trabant. But that was just me ... not with the whole family in tow. Various other european trips I've done in 360s weren't brave, if you use these cars daily then you tend to have a feel for what they will put up with.

Cheers

Tom
343 GL Touring B14.1E CVT (155) 98000kms 1980 (sold)
343 L Junior B14.3E MT4 (155) 229000kms 1981 (scrapped)
343 DLS B19A MT4 (155) 167900kms 1982
360 GL Injection B200F MT5 (231) 348598kms 1988 (scrapped)
360 GLT B200F MT5 (302) 230000kms 1988

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