Why do YOU own a 300?
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Cheap
RWD
Cheap to pep up (F7P)
Cheap
RWD
And cheap.
RWD
Cheap to pep up (F7P)
Cheap
RWD
And cheap.
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
And admittedly now that I've owned and loved one for a while they do have a certain boxy charm, with a touch of imaginary mk2 golf saloon.
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Mainly because my Beetle has NO heaters and after 4 winters of scrapping ice of the inside while driving along i thought i'd get a "modern" car with heaters
. Plus a friend had a 5dr Glt when i was 16 or so, remember being thrown around in the back of it on corners and thinking it wasn't a bad little whip, the engine sounded nice plus it had THAT unmistakeable Volvo smell which i happen to like.
However what was intended as a winter car has now gone on to be my daily driver and project car with the Bug sitting in the garage being neglected, need to do something about that really!

However what was intended as a winter car has now gone on to be my daily driver and project car with the Bug sitting in the garage being neglected, need to do something about that really!
89 3dr 340DL in Battleship grey with Ultralights and Williams power
Whats the matter with the car i'm driving can't you tell that it's out of style?
Whats the matter with the car i'm driving can't you tell that it's out of style?
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- Location: Skegness
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
5 Main points for me....
Oldskool
Cheap
RWD
Different
COOL!
Oldskool
Cheap
RWD
Different
COOL!
Oldskool Rules!
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Because it's cool for being so uncool.
The car has died on me more than once, it's never been 100% perfect in a mechanical sense, but I still can't bear to sell or scrap it after 3,5 years of non-trouble-free ownership. I'm just that attached to it.
The car has died on me more than once, it's never been 100% perfect in a mechanical sense, but I still can't bear to sell or scrap it after 3,5 years of non-trouble-free ownership. I'm just that attached to it.
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Pretty similar comments for me. My Dad had several 240s and even a 144 in the 70s, he always emphasised the life time thing and I found it to be true of the 300, especially 360, pity about the rust though. My early 340s I completely thrashed and they took it, mates with Fords where breaking and replacing parts all the time, and breaking down. The Volvo just went on whatever you threw at it.
I really like the robustness and they are just really nice to drive. I managed to drive a few brand new ones and have that as a reference point to get that 'perfect' feel from the suspension and steering, the new GLTs I tried, it was like I couldn't skid them in the dry, so predictable and grippy.
Of course the cheapness and 'uncoolness' in the 90s was just perfect for me, I was sitting laughing and loving my car and everything about it, how it looked how it drove and cost so little. The most money I ever spent was on my 360 GLE saloon 1987 , £1000, 120K pretty mint , think it was about 10 years old at the time.
I had friends and partner with 3 series BMWs, LS300 etc and the 360 still has features that beats these more advanced cars, mainly torque and reliability.
I really like the robustness and they are just really nice to drive. I managed to drive a few brand new ones and have that as a reference point to get that 'perfect' feel from the suspension and steering, the new GLTs I tried, it was like I couldn't skid them in the dry, so predictable and grippy.
Of course the cheapness and 'uncoolness' in the 90s was just perfect for me, I was sitting laughing and loving my car and everything about it, how it looked how it drove and cost so little. The most money I ever spent was on my 360 GLE saloon 1987 , £1000, 120K pretty mint , think it was about 10 years old at the time.
I had friends and partner with 3 series BMWs, LS300 etc and the 360 still has features that beats these more advanced cars, mainly torque and reliability.
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
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
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
First one I got as Mum had one when I was growing up, which I really liked. Was going round garage forcourts for my first car looking for a J/K ish reg Polo, but they were all rusty and felt cheap. In the back corner of one of the garages was Kar, with electric mirrors, windows, heated seats, a proper tunnel console (the one thing I wanted for my first car was to have a tunnel console and not a gearstick going into the floor, if only that was my main requirement now!). Tanked around in Kar for 2 ish years, ricing it up (likely only a few people on the forum remember that
) then came across V3M as it was starting and got into finding lots of accessories to add to it. That started my scrapping tendancies
Then the first V3M meet happened, we all got on really well and I only really stayed in 300's because of the people and the huge support network that helped me run the thing as a student. Twas only later I found out that they could be pedaled fairly quickly and with big grins when I started driving lots of other stuff that I couldn't make handle the way mine did. I've only driven a few things I like as much, which is a pain as non of them are as cheap, fast or more reliable than Fake is
If I could get a modern I enjoyed driving as much and didn't cost the earth I'd be tempted but I havn't found it yet.



Then the first V3M meet happened, we all got on really well and I only really stayed in 300's because of the people and the huge support network that helped me run the thing as a student. Twas only later I found out that they could be pedaled fairly quickly and with big grins when I started driving lots of other stuff that I couldn't make handle the way mine did. I've only driven a few things I like as much, which is a pain as non of them are as cheap, fast or more reliable than Fake is

'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Chris,did you ever get over your LED fetish or is under control these days??
Keeper of The Knights' of Bushido-lest we forget
Write it in your heart.
Stand by the code and it will stand by you.
Ask no more and give no less than honesty,courage,loyalty,generosity and fairness.
The code of the West.
Write it in your heart.
Stand by the code and it will stand by you.
Ask no more and give no less than honesty,courage,loyalty,generosity and fairness.
The code of the West.
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- Location: Newcastle Upon Toon
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Unt silver rattlecan.sven360 wrote:Chris,did you ever get over your LED fetish or is under control these days??

Get some ricey pics up again Chris!
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
No, still have an LED fetish.... Been mucking about recently with some LED/Perspex TIR signs 
And just for you dude:




And just for you dude:



'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast
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- *** V3M DONOR ***
- Posts: 9143
- Joined: 11 Nov 2008 04:22 pm
- Location: Newcastle Upon Toon
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Hi Chris.
Bloody hell mate. That thing looks like a disco on wheels. Love it.
Cheers Mark.
Bloody hell mate. That thing looks like a disco on wheels. Love it.
Cheers Mark.

Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
Hi all.
I got my first 360GLS in the early to mid 90s. It was black with a gold stripe on each side. I bought it for 200 quid after my
Daganham dustbin started to fall to bits.
We then got a motability car as my son is Autistic and the 360 had to go. I mist it terribly.
Then in 2000 i was ginen a freebee 340GL that had been living in a hedge for 18 months with a blown head gasket.
I took it on as a hoby. An old retired machanic showed me what to do to get it running again. With a new gasket,
second hand rad and second hand battery,the total cost to get it on the road with a new MOT was £65.00. Not bad.
I managed to get 3 years and 4 months driving out of it.I always wanted a mk1 so when one finaly came up i jumped at it.
It had been in a barn covered in carpet for 2 years.I got it for £120 with louvre in 2004. Not bad again.Then in late 2004 i got a
360GLT project with all spares thrown in for £50.Not bad again.It was a bit of luck that when the GLT was dying, a 360 GLS
came up for sale. I bought it for £400.Big money for me being a tite git
. I don't think i would like to be without my 300s
now.The old GLS at 27 years just keeps on going, even in this horrible weather. Its funny driving past broken down cars in the
snow in a 27 year old motor.
Cheers Mark.

I got my first 360GLS in the early to mid 90s. It was black with a gold stripe on each side. I bought it for 200 quid after my
Daganham dustbin started to fall to bits.
We then got a motability car as my son is Autistic and the 360 had to go. I mist it terribly.
Then in 2000 i was ginen a freebee 340GL that had been living in a hedge for 18 months with a blown head gasket.
I took it on as a hoby. An old retired machanic showed me what to do to get it running again. With a new gasket,
second hand rad and second hand battery,the total cost to get it on the road with a new MOT was £65.00. Not bad.
I managed to get 3 years and 4 months driving out of it.I always wanted a mk1 so when one finaly came up i jumped at it.
It had been in a barn covered in carpet for 2 years.I got it for £120 with louvre in 2004. Not bad again.Then in late 2004 i got a
360GLT project with all spares thrown in for £50.Not bad again.It was a bit of luck that when the GLT was dying, a 360 GLS
came up for sale. I bought it for £400.Big money for me being a tite git


now.The old GLS at 27 years just keeps on going, even in this horrible weather. Its funny driving past broken down cars in the
snow in a 27 year old motor.
Cheers Mark.



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- *** V3M DONOR ***
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- Joined: 06 Jan 2007 02:38 pm
- Location: Bonn, Germany
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
The other half owned one (handed down from Gramps, how else?) when we met in 1993. The rest is historyWhy do YOU own a 300?

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
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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- Posts: 1416
- Joined: 18 Aug 2009 09:58 pm
- Location: Doncaster UK
Re: Why do YOU own a 300?
My dad bought a new 343 vario in 1977 and it was our family car for 14 years. While I was at college in 1991 (and carless) I started a work placement. They gave me the 343 and bought a newer (at the time!) 1985 340 vario. It was only intended to get me through college, but I was still driving it in 2001! I kept it running because I new it annoyed people to see such an old battered, much maligned car on the road! It was probably an ant-establishment type statement from my college time spilling over through the turbulent, jobless time of the 1990's. It seamed quite apt to arrive at various parties, outdoor raves/gigs/solstice celebrations in a knacked old volvo from the 70's
By 2001 rust was getting the better of the sills for a second time round and I bought a 1989 1.7 GL, intending to do up the old 343 at some point in the distant future. Unfortunately this was not to be, as the car was stolen in 2006.
I was without a 300 on the road between 2002 and 2009 (The 1989 1.7 was stored in the garage while I had a couple of 440's).
It's future was uncertain as I knew it had a few rust issues but I didn't want to part with it as I could see they were getting a bit thin on the ground.
In 2009 I spotted the immaculate green 360 on ebay and I couldn't resist it! I had to move the 1.7 out of the garage from under it's many blankets where it had stood for 7 years! This spurred me on to get it back on the road and use it. Justification to keep it was to tow our recently purchased caravan!
In late 2009 I spotted the Mk1 343 for sale on ebay, thanks to I think someone on here. This completes the circle and allows me to do the type of project I would have liked to have done with my old 343.
Basically I have them cos I always have, they are like part of the family now! By the way my parents still drive the 340 they got in 1991!

By 2001 rust was getting the better of the sills for a second time round and I bought a 1989 1.7 GL, intending to do up the old 343 at some point in the distant future. Unfortunately this was not to be, as the car was stolen in 2006.
I was without a 300 on the road between 2002 and 2009 (The 1989 1.7 was stored in the garage while I had a couple of 440's).
It's future was uncertain as I knew it had a few rust issues but I didn't want to part with it as I could see they were getting a bit thin on the ground.
In 2009 I spotted the immaculate green 360 on ebay and I couldn't resist it! I had to move the 1.7 out of the garage from under it's many blankets where it had stood for 7 years! This spurred me on to get it back on the road and use it. Justification to keep it was to tow our recently purchased caravan!
In late 2009 I spotted the Mk1 343 for sale on ebay, thanks to I think someone on here. This completes the circle and allows me to do the type of project I would have liked to have done with my old 343.
Basically I have them cos I always have, they are like part of the family now! By the way my parents still drive the 340 they got in 1991!
360 GLE Saloon (D 86)
360 GLS (A 84)
343 DL (W 80)
340 GL 1.7 (G 89)
360 GLS (Y 83)
440 Turbo (J 92)
Transit Tipper 125 T350 (02)Alive Again!
Transit Tipper Smiley face Q reg
Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 (54)
R.I.P. 77 343 DL vario
360 GLS (A 84)
343 DL (W 80)

340 GL 1.7 (G 89)
360 GLS (Y 83)
440 Turbo (J 92)
Transit Tipper 125 T350 (02)Alive Again!
Transit Tipper Smiley face Q reg
Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 (54)
R.I.P. 77 343 DL vario
