Tough old brick! (Volvo 440)

Member Name: r_welfare

Product:	Volvo 440
Date:	16/06/02 (641 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap ro buy, safe, solid

Disadvantages: Dull, heavy, some parts pricey

Over the last couple of years Volvo 440s have dropped quite a bit in price so that there isn't a lot extra to pay over a similarly-aged 340.

My 440GL was bought on a whim - basically it was the first time I'd noticed one in the "Under £1000" section of the local freeads paper. A 1990 H-registered model, it had 95,000 on the clock with a full service history and cost £900 in May 2000.

Early 440s can suffer from erratic build quality that manifests itself in non-structural rust, overheating, gear selection problems, and dodgy interior trim. As bought, the car had some rust on the lower edge of the driver's door, but luckily that was the only problem. In the subsequent two years and 30,000 miles rust hasn't spread too much.

The seats definitely are not as comfortable as the "tombstone" type fitted to the 240 and 340, but there are several similarities to the earlier cars - a craggy dashboard made out of low-tech plastic, heavy steering (no power assistance on this model), and a rattly engine by Renault. The early 440s were all powered by the 1721cc OHC engine as fitted to Renault 5s, 9s, 11s and some 19s and 21s. They came in carburettor, injected and turbocharged flavours. This car has the carburettor engine with a reputed 87bhp. It's noisy, slow to accelerate (but cruises well) and thirsty. Oh well. They are capable of big mileages if looked after properly. The gearchange is heavy and clunky, a big disappointment after the 340.

My brother bought the car from me two days after I bought it, and continues to run it. It has been very reliable, needing only a new alternator and some work on the fuel lines after the car kept cutting out. Up to now the catalytic converter hasn't needed to be replaced, which is apparently a costly job. Although regularly serviced, the car isn't looked after too well, and as such is now looking quite shabby, but it continues to give good service. Parts prices
can be kept comfortable if a specialist such as German and Swedish is used.

Summary: