Buying / owning a classic estate

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Usually LPG is better on the engine because it burns more cleanly. With the redblcok being a relatively low revving unit, power loss will be less because it will have longer to burn (which it needs) but in all honesty, i've not noticed any power loss on any of the LPG cars i've had and so far, mostly had similar or better mpg figures on LPG than on petrol. That said, none of those cars used the Bosch engine management system so i would say it's down to the engine management operating differently to Bosch and taking advantage of the higher octane rating of LPG to give better economy.

The Jeep i had was already done (but very badly, i had to fix several things on it) as is my Jag (seems to work fine), the 827 Coupe i did myself and plan on doing the 760 myself as well. If you're competent then theres no reason (in the UK anyway, not sure about Portugal, Spain or any other part of Europe) why you shouldn't be able to install and configure the system. For the most part, i used secondhand bits which still worked fine, yes they can and do wear out but easier on the wallet to replace that single part on a fitted system than buy a complete new system to start with.

I'll consider these when time comes. Although knowing that you own jags makes me reevaluate everything you say... jk
The gasoline in portugal, the 95 octane, is like 2€/L. I don't want to have the car parked just to drive on the weekends, just because it consumes too much.
Although I'm planing to swap my 2008 Polo for a late 80s Lancia Delta, so I would have to share my love between the 2.

[Steve 940]

Hi andij,

Hope you've gained some helpful information from al the posts.

Just happened to see a 2.3 940 on Car and Classic, a high miler but within budget, not sure if Turbo or not.

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1520764

Mot history not too bad, and only one advisory mention of corrosion in battery box area in 2017. I think battery box area is a well known problem area, but hopefully has been resolved as no mention since.

Driver seat not great, but may clean up and split may be repairable, or you could source a better used one from a breaker perhap.

Dealer and he seems to have a specialism in Volvos as he had a few I looked at online when I bought my 940 a year or so ago. Seems to get some high spec 960's from Japan I seem to recall.

Anyway, good hunting and keep us posted.

Cheers
Steve

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Driver seat not great, but may clean up and split may be repairable, or you could source a better used one from a breaker perhap.


Cheers
Steve

The backrest could probably be saved with Leather Balm Steve, the actual cushion could be replaced with a passenger cover or a good drivers seat cover as long as the right colour could be found.
Shame it's got those rips in the drivers seat cushion, not easily fixed without changing them.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Hi andij,

Hope you've gained some helpful information from al the posts.

Just happened to see a 2.3 940 on Car and Classic, a high miler but within budget, not sure if Turbo or not.

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1520764

Mot history not too bad, and only one advisory mention of corrosion in battery box area in 2017. I think battery box area is a well known problem area, but hopefully has been resolved as no mention since.

Driver seat not great, but may clean up and split may be repairable, or you could source a better used one from a breaker perhap.

Dealer and he seems to have a specialism in Volvos as he had a few I looked at online when I bought my 940 a year or so ago. Seems to get some high spec 960's from Japan I seem to recall.

Anyway, good hunting and keep us posted.

Cheers
Steve

I think this has been sold and is now back to the dealer. I seem to remember the reg!

[Moomoo]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195475526...Bk9SR6bD_92SYQ

Can’t find a lot wrong with this one , at the present money! 😀

[SalvadorP]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

The backrest could probably be saved with Leather Balm Steve, the actual cushion could be replaced with a passenger cover or a good drivers seat cover as long as the right colour could be found.
Shame it's got those rips in the drivers seat cushion, not easily fixed without changing them.

All the leather on that car is screaming for some turtlewax conditioner. And that tear look like just a tear, no piece missing, so there is probably a good short term solution until he finds a matching substitute.

I would be all over that car.

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195475526...Bk9SR6bD_92SYQ

Can’t find a lot wrong with this one , at the present money! 😀

Absolutely agree, MOT history very clean and mileage gradually increased year on year, and looks good from photos.

Bromley not a million miles away from Woking.

11 bids currently £1614, expect this will go up a bit in next 6 days.

Cheers
Steve

[J liddy]

The 940 is a car I woud go for not over complicated compared to 960s I've just swopped to standard suspension after 22 years in my ownership some 940 have rust but nothing that can't be fixed .you won't be disappointed with the 940s when you find a good one as there's still plenty about .only my personal opinion

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by andij

Next weekend I've arranged to view a 1996 960, and this is the info I have:



Volvo 960 - £2500 - N885 GLU
Red, 1996, 3.0 24v Auto
Lots of service history and book of all receipts and tax discs etc.
Owned since 1998 (he has looked after it with care)
MOT until September 2023
Full leather, all electrics working except the disconnected sunroof as the seal is faulty.
Drivers seat needs is worn on the bolster.
230,035 miles

On the last MOT the advisories are:

• Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Offside of engine bay evidence of brake fluid leakage around distribution valve block but non found at time of testing

I've no other details at the moment, so will find out more when I visit.

I would like to know what to ask and anything specific to check during my viewing and test drive.

I'm also wondering what it'll be like to run a 3L 24v as it's not as economical as say, a 2.3L Turbo. I'll likely be using it for short(5m), medium(40m), and long(100m) journeys. So, is there a big difference in fuel economy?

I see a danger in test driving this one. It’ll be so sublime compared with modern offerings it will be viewed through Rose Coloured specs.

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

I see a danger in test driving this one. It’ll be so sublime compared with modern offerings it will be viewed through Rose Coloured specs.

Very good point Andrew.

Everyone to their own, but in my experience I chose a fairly basic 940 to get myself out of a ruinously expensive Audi A6 allroad that was loaded with bells and whistles.

So far it's been just what I was looking for.

Cheers
Steve