Monday, April 17, 2006
On the 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon
So I never post here, having little to say, but I feel compelled to comment on my recent purchase, the 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon meredith mentioned a few posts back.
Okay, so after driving this thing for close to a month now, I can say a bit about it. First off, it needs a turbo, not to be sporty (although that may have been the marketing objective), but because it would be vastly under powered without it. Secondly, it is very...buggy. Buggy like software is buggy. I seem to be a magnet for these cars (’84 Camry, ‘65 Ambassador, ‘79 Civic [1st generation!], ‘80 Datsun). Or maybe it’s just because I can never afford to buy a new car. Anyway, here’s what I mean:
1. Test driving the car and the windshield washer does not work. I peek under the hood and see that the fluid line is not attached to the pump. Fixed. A week later, the line is attached, but I have no washer fluid. Suspect faulty pump or bad fuse. Need to double check fluid levels, but pretty sure that’s not it.
2. Overdrive is the “default” setting when in drive 3. To disable, there is a button on the drive selector which bumps it out of overdrive and prompts the display of an orange up arrow on the dash. You can push the button and get out of overdrive, but you cannot push it and guarantee that you will go back to overdrive. In fact, the car will randomly take itself out of overdrive at any given time. Very annoying, particularly at highway speeds. Suspect faulty wiring (pray it’s not the computer).
3. Rear driver’s side door lock. This lock is a powered lock and will not open by pulling on it. The power locks are triggered by locking/unlocking the driver’s door or tailgate via key or the lock itself. Rear driver’s side door lock will occasionally not work. This seems to be related to ambient temperature, but I don’t have enough data yet. Suspect faulty wiring or bad lock mechanism.
4. When turning slightly beyond straight on there is tightness in the steering that gives abruptly. Very noticeable at highways speeds when steering in more slight. Suspect steering rack. Not happy about this one since I sure it won’t be cheap and it will have to be fixed. Didn’t notice this when test driving. Always a good idea to get out on a highway if you can.
5. Complete lack of cupholders. Okay, not technically a “bug” — just bad design. Do people not consume beverages in Sweden?! WTF?!
So the car is certainly more comfortable than the truck and slightly more enjoyable to drive. Only time will tell if it was $1000 well spent or not. So far, I feel pretty good about it. We’ll see how that holds up once I get an estimate on the steering components.
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Comments & Trackbacks
I feel your pain. My 93 960 (no turbo) left me stranded on 64 w/ a busted timing belt that should have been good for another 30,000 miles.
I have a roll of electrical tape that is the perfect size for covering up those dash board lights if you would like to borrow it.
Yeah, I might need to take you up on that. I’ve already spent time trying to pry parts off of the drive selector to see if I can access the switch. The results probably won’t be good.
RE: the cupholders…
I’ve now owned 2 MINI Coopers and taken the cup holders OUT of both. When the MINI was first launched in the US market, they didn’t put cup holders in the car (bravo! I say - because what person in their right mind hits twisty roads at 90mph with a hop cuppa joe??)
I always felt more British by not having them in the car.
American commuters reacted pretty strongly though and all subsequent models had a cup holder bolted on at the time of purchase.
Personally, I think you should revel in your Swedishness as you drive your Volvo. Enjoy your quart of Gevalia coffee before you hit the road.
So, yeah, I’m absolutely on board with the whole notion that your primary task when driving should be driving and not enjoying a beverage. But, let’s face it—I’m going to spend a solid 5+ minutes sitting on Staples Mill waiting to get through the Parham intersection (not to mention the rest of my commute). I might as well enjoy a cup of coffee while I sit.
At any rate, I’m bringing the coffee. Volvo can either have me hitting the turns at 90 with a cup of coffee in one hand and the wheel in the other, or both hands on the wheel and the coffee sitting snug in a cup holder.
Note to self: Change morning route to work. Staples Mill no longer safe. Consider Broad St as an alternative.
Oh, I think I’m the least of your worries on Staples Mill—or anywhere in Richmond for that matter.
Maybe your lack of cupholders is a good thing… in the newer Volvos (I’ve got a 2001.), the cup holder is ridiculous. It pops out of the dash, right above the stereo… so, put a drink in and you can’t get to the buttons. Even worse, the car’s thermostat is right above it. Put a cold drink in the holder, and the AC turns itself off.
I’m all too familiar with the type of cup holder you describe, Sharif. Meredith’s Subaru has a similar style. We don’t have the thermostat problem, but the drinks sit right in front of the A/C vents, so if you have a hot drink that’s not in something insulated, you have about 10 minutes before it starts going cold.
Phil - From your older and wiser sister, GET A NEW CAR! The Volvo may be a step ahead of the old schoolbus yellow truck, but not by much.
Thanks Beth. Can we expect the check to arrive anytime soon?
Aww, thanks Sis. I’d like a 3-series BMW. In red, preferably. The navigation system isn’t necessary, but it would be nice to have. Send me the check for that and I’ll go pick it up right away.