Okay guys,

Tell me why I should buy a 340???

Why? The question isn't necessary at all...

It's a GREAT and GOOD car, with a very good safety and comfortable. Easy to repair, not so expensive, very good engine for the 360 and nice to drive with a CVT

As one of our members (special ) always says " DARE TO BE DIFFERENT " these cars are great fun just come to Milton Keynes on the 10th of April if you need anymore persuaiding (did I spell that right )

Very solid cars, these (just see the photos page and look at the 'strength of the 300 highlighted in an impact' section)

The 1.4 is somewhat weak but easy to maintain

I'm told the 1.7 is very economical

And of course they're unique!

Oh, and they're stupidly cheap in this day and age, too

Rear wheel drive.. lots of fun, more so than most modern cars being FWD. Reasonbly refined apart from windnoise, comfortable seating and an excellent heater!

cheap to insure, maintain and buy. glt is nippy,

Tom wrote:Very solid cars, these (just see the photos page and look at the 'strength of the 300 highlighted in an impact' section)

and tom would know wouldent you old boy!

just kidding

Quite a good selection of reasons. Now... What model would anyone recommend??

Quite rare it seems, all day today I looked for examples either passing by or parked,, Result - 1 - A blue G reg 3 door 1.7 GLS (I think) with what looks like half an exhaust lying on the ground underneath.

Well, personally only ever having owned the 360 GLT models, I'm a little biased. Also having a red F '88 360 GLT for sale at the moment may also help!
Seriously though, the 360 GLT was supposedly the top model, biggest engine, 1986cc, with the most of the standard gizmos and electrical items. I think they are great cars, and there are quite a few 300 series cars about if you're looking for them. There are a lot around despite being old cars, especially compared to how many cars of a similar era have survived.
Pete

What about economy, are the smaller engine cars a little heavy for sensible mpg?

The things that really sells them to me are the fact that they are built like tanks and are different. I have wanted one for quite a while but now I have the opportunity with my Vectra having destroyed it's second gearbox I have had enough and just want a real car!

As I understand it the 1.7 is probably the best for economy, then the 1.4, the 2.0 fuel injected model is thirsty, but the carb version of the 360 is supposedly very good on fuel according to our resident FoggyJames!

There has always appeared to be an image problem associated with the 300's, I like to be different, I own a Volvo, and have done since the age of 18 I think, I can take the abuse my mates give me, as I know it's a well built, safe, reliable, luxury, comfotable and capable car, that'll out last any of their cars!

With a 300 you'll get a real car, and with a 360 a proper Volvo engine!

Pete

Economy isn`t brilliant in modern terms but you need to bear in mind that the 300 engines are not modern designs.

In any case one of the chief factors influencing mpg is your driving style - if you can keep the speed up by using good anticipation you `ll use a lot less fuel than a driver who has to keep accelerating hard to pick speed up after failing to plan a smooth path through hazards.

Keeping the car well serviced and in tune will help too.

Will

If you want a high spec, get a later model, my main one's only a GL, but because it's one of the last, has all the goodies thrown in. 360's go up to '89, and 340's to '91. The 1.7 isn't too bad on economy, I got 200miles to a £20 note (on long runs admitted, about 140-150 otherwise), but if you don't service it that soon drops (as on any car)

The 2 litre injections can be thirsty, I got a maximum 36mpg out of it over a 280 mile trip mainly motorway, but some town driving also. However, this was being very careful! I think the fuel economy is outweighed by all the other benefits though, insurance for young drivers being one of them!