340 GL Questions!

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 12:36 pm

Hi guys, this is my first post here.

I have been looking for a Volvo for a few weeks now, mostly a 940 estate. My hunt took a curious twist this morning though.

I spotted a very tidy 1988 940 GL with 44k on the clock this morning in a local dealers yard. It has had one owner from new and is offered with a full years MOT.

The dealer in question doesn't have a great name locally, so I thought I'd do a bit of homework first.

I should add that a 340 wasn't even on my list until I spotted this one. So, the questions...

Firstly, reliabilty, what are 340s like in terms of reliability? I travel a 300 mile journey regularly, so it must be up to this.

Comfort and space, are they big enough?

I read somewhere that the 1.4 engine was a Renault unit, is this right? Are parts easy to obtain?

Is there anything specific on these cars that I should look out for?

Sorry about all the question, I just want to know as much as I can before I take the plunge.

Cheers,
Steven

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 12:37 pm

Oh, and it's priced at £425. Does this sound fair?

Post by **SteveP** » 10 Oct 2006 12:44 pm

Hi and welcome!

Sounds about the typical price a dealer would charge for a car with that kind of mileage. Question is bodywork - if it's rust free, it might well be worth that but it's still worth haggling. Saying that, one sold on ebay for £620 last week!

300's as a whole are generally very reliable, the only real issue with the 1.4 is the carb bolts shaking loose and causing an air leak and thus bad running. However common, it's still pretty minor. Mechanically they'll go on and on, bodywork condition is more important.

They'll sit 4 in reasonable comfort, but the boot on the hatchback models is pretty good. Yeah, the 1.4 is a Renault unit - and Renault and Volvo did a bloody good job, a member has one here that's done 192k miles!

Arguably the 940 will be better - purely in terms of space, but will cost alot more to run imo.

Post by **Chris_C** » 10 Oct 2006 01:13 pm

Its also possible to sort the carb/air filter problem by making a bracket to fit, which the orig 1.4's had.

As Steve says, the 940 will be a lot more gifted in space, but I've done lots of long trips in 300s with 4 up. It depends whether your family likes taking the kitchen sink when you go! The boot is bigger than most in its class.

I'm sure the dealers will drop, they mostly want to clear older stuff off their fourcourts

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 01:29 pm

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm just back from looking at it again, I'm a salesmans worst nightmare...

It's actually a DL, not a GL. There is some rust on one section just below the windsreen, it hasn't spread, but will need sorted asap. There is another patch of rust just below the rear screen, the rest of the car seem solid. The boot floor, arches, etc, are fine. He'll do it for £400, I'm very very tempted.

Space seems fine as well, the boot is quite large.

It's good to know that this community is here as well for support/advice and so on.

When researching Volvo 240s I read that if there was rust around the windscreen to walk away. Is the same true of 240s?

Post by **SteveP** » 10 Oct 2006 01:47 pm

Well if you do go for it, use that rust arund the front screen as a severe bargaining point. It can be fixed, sure - but it'll be a git of a job! Depends how bad it is really, or how long you consider keeping the car for...

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 01:49 pm

He'll not go lower than £400, he won't budge on it any lower. I usually keep my cars for at least a couple of years, longer it they're good ones.

Post by **oli** » 10 Oct 2006 01:50 pm

Any reason why the 1.4 carb? or is it because it is local?
I think if you look harder and for a bit longer you may find one cheaper and a more powerful one too.

Personally I think the car is overpriced regardless of mileage, unless you dont want to travel far for one.

I missed out on a 360 gl with full service history and mot and tax until next year for £199 (one owner from new) which was 3 miles from me!
on trader on the friday and wanted to view on saturday and it had sold.

IMO I would look a bit harder as they can be found. plus spec of the DL what you really want?

ps the boot is pretty decent I got 4 rims and tyres in the boot no problems.

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 02:00 pm

Hi oli, as I say, a 340 wasn't even on my list until I spotted this one, the mileage attracted me. What you're saying makes sense though. A 340 is most definitely on my list now as I really like them. I'll have a think about it.

Post by **oli** » 10 Oct 2006 02:06 pm

i would consider a 340 1.7, 360 2litre carb or the 360 glt (the daddy) 2litre fuel injected.

have you looked at the trader and ebay? some decent ones there or even on the for sale section here

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 02:11 pm

I have seen some over the last couple of weeks though and they don't seem to be quick to sell here.

Post by **5lab** » 10 Oct 2006 02:11 pm

the milage on a 300 isnt really that important - my 183k example (now 194 in the hands of another in this site) ran far smoother than the one I had with 110k on it.. rust and how it's been looked after are far more important - that said - one at a dealer will probably have been serviced there for life (check the history) so could be a winner. a lot of it is about luck

it won't be *as good* on long journeys as a 900, but theres not actually that much in the boot space if you're looking at the saloon - interior space is more different, but its plenty comfortable for kids in the back. parts are very easy to get hold of, and the engine and bits will go on forever. however the price is, in my opinion, too high. go there with £250 in your hand, and another £50 in your back pocket, i'd be surprised if it doesn't go home with you..

Post by **5lab** » 10 Oct 2006 02:14 pm

theres quite a selection on trader ta hte moment, i'd take a good look at the competition..

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/ca ... _full.y=13

Post by **SteveP** » 10 Oct 2006 02:20 pm

Don't be put off the 'lower' power variant, I own a 2.0 GLT and I'd still say the 1.4 is the best overall unit, in terms of it's blend of economy/performance/low tax bracket.

Post by **stevenc75** » 10 Oct 2006 05:12 pm

Well I've my mind made up, I'm going back tomorrow morning to put a deposit on it, I'll do my best to knock him down a few quid more as well.

The 1.4 DL suits because I do need to think about running costs (insurance and tax) and hopefully it will be more economical than a more powerful version. Less toys means less to go wrong as well.

Having a look around this forum helped make my mind up, nothing major seems to go wrong and with only 44k this car should have a lot of miles left in it yet.

Thanks for the advice and different viewpoints, I'm sure I'll have a few questions for you lot over the coming weeks.