OLD ROAD TESTS

A global place for general discussion (Volvo, V3M or non-Volvo related topics).
Please introduce yourself here, your Volvo 300 hobby...
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foggyjames
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Post by foggyjames »

The boot is about 4" shorter than that of a mk3 Cavalier (well..the 86-94ish one anyway)...I once measured it :)

Steve's right, they're closer in size to a family hatch (Sierra, etc) than a small hatch (Escort, etc)....just not inside, because of the huge bonnet!

cheers

James
VOC 300-series Register Keeper
'89 740 Turbo Intercooler
'88 360 Turbo Intercooler
'85 360 GLT
'81 343 GLS R-Sport
'79 343 DL
'70 164
...and some modern FWD nonsense to get me to work...
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petefarrell360
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Post by petefarrell360 »

The actual boot is quite small, but think of that long engine bay, the fairly big passenger compartment, and Steve's right it is a big car! I've noticed it more when parking in multistorey car parks in their tight spaces, and my towbar is nearly touching the barrier behind, yet the nose is still overhanging the white line, and the row of cars either side, despite being fairly big looking, are often shorter! And a saloon is 115 mm longer than a hatchback! Like James says, at least the reviewer noted that it cannot be directly compared to other hot hatches of the time, due to it's size and weight.
Pete
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Chris_C
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Post by Chris_C »

Lack of performance in the 1.4?!?! Are me and Hugh the only two in the world who managed to get the lil one's moving!!!!! (BTW, nice one Pete ;))
'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
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5lab
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Post by 5lab »

they are fairly slow compared to a 360, specially when overtaking..
Siddy-'87 360 Glt lhd convertible
Swapsea-'89 360GLT-swapped!
Leah-'84 340GL-sold! Maisie-'85 340GL-sold!
Snowy-'88 360GLE-killed by a truck! Dougle-'89 360GLT-dead&stolen!
Nessy-'86 340GL-foggy's! Grace-'86 360GLT-gone!
wjp01908
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Joined: 25 Jul 2004 03:35 pm
Location: Bucks. UK

Post by wjp01908 »

"Lack of performance in the 1.4?!?! Are me and Hugh the only two in the world who managed to get the lil one's moving"

I`ve always found my 1.4`s performance adequate - keep the speed up and keep the revs in the "happy band" - driving using anticipation & CVT (not just for old people - thanx Duvel!) helps here!!! - and a 1.4 will breeze along quite nicely.

It`s not going to do much compared to a 360 on out and out acceleration on the straight, but compares a bit more favourably on lower speed, twisty roads.

I do notice things getting a bit sluggish with more than two up though...

Will
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5lab
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Post by 5lab »

the 1.4 is just completely stuffed when it comes to overtaking on 'a' roads and so on. nearly as bad as lorries in fact ;)

its not that its impossible, you just need a long long runup, which you dont need with a redblock :)
Siddy-'87 360 Glt lhd convertible
Swapsea-'89 360GLT-swapped!
Leah-'84 340GL-sold! Maisie-'85 340GL-sold!
Snowy-'88 360GLE-killed by a truck! Dougle-'89 360GLT-dead&stolen!
Nessy-'86 340GL-foggy's! Grace-'86 360GLT-gone!
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foggyjames
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Post by foggyjames »

And here's me dispairing at how slow the 360s are...! I got given a really hard time by a 1.6 Focus the other day - that was it...I drew the line at that...action will be taken.

cheers

James
VOC 300-series Register Keeper
'89 740 Turbo Intercooler
'88 360 Turbo Intercooler
'85 360 GLT
'81 343 GLS R-Sport
'79 343 DL
'70 164
...and some modern FWD nonsense to get me to work...
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5lab
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Post by 5lab »

you change gear too soon imo.. maybe revving it a bit more would help
Siddy-'87 360 Glt lhd convertible
Swapsea-'89 360GLT-swapped!
Leah-'84 340GL-sold! Maisie-'85 340GL-sold!
Snowy-'88 360GLE-killed by a truck! Dougle-'89 360GLT-dead&stolen!
Nessy-'86 340GL-foggy's! Grace-'86 360GLT-gone!
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foggyjames
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Post by foggyjames »

This was to the redline in each gear....I only tend to short shift the majority of the time because a) it usually saves fuel, and b) the top end on the B200K is so lame that it makes almost no difference. Having said that, revving to 4500 more often would help. What I really want is to be able to stomp on the power and blow past these lesser mortals without revving the pants off it....what I need is either nitrous or a supercharger...or both :)

cheers

James
VOC 300-series Register Keeper
'89 740 Turbo Intercooler
'88 360 Turbo Intercooler
'85 360 GLT
'81 343 GLS R-Sport
'79 343 DL
'70 164
...and some modern FWD nonsense to get me to work...
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