Volvo 340/360

Am I nuts? I just got my 1988 Volvo 360 GLT 5 door hatchback for £300 off a friend. It's only got 65000k on it and it's ugly as sin, but boy what a ride! I was pleasantly surprised by the power in it's 1.9L engine and by the comfortable seats. I also feel as if its a very solid car and though it does begin to have issues above 70 mph, the ride is consistant and sure footed. I have not had it long enough to testify to reliability, but so far, so good. I think I might just become very ...  Read the complete review

I love my Volvo to bits! Even when they fall off. I have had my 340GLE 1.7 5 door for nearly ten years now. It is starting to fall to bits, piece by piece, on the inside and out - but I'm determined to get it up to the 100,000 miles mark. Only 1,500 to go! Having been driving for 28 years now, I've been through six cars - all different makes. I have never bought from new, they have always been used. This Volvo I bought from a main Volvo dealer and, as I was paying cash, I got a good deal on the warranty. This meant that for the first three years I had it, it hardly cost me a penny apart from servicing. Over the years, I don't think I've spent any ...  Read the complete review

My second ever car was a 340 and when I first got I wasn't dissapointed but then again I wasn't impressed. After about 1 month of owning it I decided that I had learned enough from driving it to hate it! Lets start with the propshaft, aluminum and rubber filled, Stripped it self from the inside and fell off, new one on the next day, and low and behold 1 week later it fell off again. Lets say I wasnt impressed (under-statment of the year). The next one lasted about 2 months so I sold the car. You may be tempted as a new driver or poor student to buy one as they are so cheap and there are so many for sale, but dont, the seats are dodgy and uncomfortable (unless ...  Read the complete review

When the 340 was first launched, certainly in this country, it was known as the 343 DL. The 343 was all of DAF's design, a Dutch manufacturer more known now for it's trucks rather than it's cars because their only model, the "Daffodil," and later known as the 45, 55, 66 & Coupe series would carry the same basic design; namely a 3 cylinder air cooled engine and a revolutionary automatic transmission known as "Variomatic." The little car was about the same size of Austin's Mini although it had quite a large boot as a result. It was primarily made as a 2 door saloon, but eventually a 2 door estate model and coupe were launched over time. All the ...  Read the complete review

As a status symbol the Volvo 340 is somewhere between a Bay City Rollers fanclub membership badge and a gold lame' shellsuit. However, I bought a 1.7litre GLE for very little cash and as practical transport it more than fits the bill. To start with, it doesn't handle very well and the m.p.g is often criticised (but i averaged about 37 m.p.g). However, it is a solid vehicle and for anyone who can undertake a bit of maintenance themselves it is excellent. There's plenty space in the engine bay and lots of bits simply bolt on - very good for the home mechanic. Things to watch for - rusting sills and engine bay crossmember but ...  Read the complete review