My car is bust

Yep, 940. I was specifically after a 940 because I know them to be generally good. I've read of problems with the newer (post Ford) Volvos. Older than the 900 series is just a bit too old for me (getting into the woes of carburettors and mechanical points), and the 800 series, which I would consider, is a bit of an unknown quantity to me. I know from past experience that if the 940 needs work, its usually half an hour or so with basic tools and no specialist knowledge.

 

And I've just remembered. When my old one had to go, I kept the MAF sensor (known common(ish) point of failure on the 940, the ECU (because someone wanted to buy it then changed their mind), and I also have a brand new radiator, still boxed, that I was going to put in my last one before circumstances changed meaning she had to go. The car I'm buying has been looked after by an enthusiast so shouldn't need much doing, but at least I have some potentially expensive spares just in case.

 

I've seen some photos, and based on a number of factors, have told the lad we have a deal conditional upon him getting it through a new MOT, which he volunteered to do. Its a high mileage motor but 940s can deal with that, and plus this car hasn't just had the minimum possible maintenance, its been serviced regularly since new. I can't go into detail until the deal is done, but suffice to say that I have good and independent reason to believe that this car has been treasured and kept like new. It also happens to be the case that out of all the 940 models, the base model was merely moderately lovely. My last one was moderately lovely plus optional extra heated seats and lots of electric bits. The one I'm negotiating a deal on is the luxury model with all the lovely options. I hope I'm not building myself up for a disappointment, but I'm really, really, really getting excited about this now.

 

I'm supposed to be going to collect my new (old) Volvo tomorrow, but I've just seen a news article about Cumbria, where I'm supposed to be heading. It looks like I might have to postpone my trip

Looks pretty harsh over that side.
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/part-...wer-1.1044308?referrerPath=home/love-business

 

Don't go out there Dave

 

Braver than I to venture to Cumbria tomorrow :-(

Nice car worth waiting for ENJOY

Jack McH

 

Well we braved it. The roads were clear. Not a hint of bother on our route. I'm now the proud owner of a most gorgeous Swedish model. I've already mentioned the half leather interior and (fake) walnut trim, all the luxuries, and the lovely turbo. I can now report that she drives like a dream.

There were a few interesting moments on the way home. Firstly, while going up hill I decided to overtake a slow moving lorry. I pressed the throttle to the floor and the most hair raising thing happened. Just when I was pleasantly surprised by her power, she suddenly knocked herself down a gear, spun up the turbo, and then pinned me to the seat. I told my dad about it afterwards (he was following in the car we went over in). He's driven pretty much everything so very little surprises him. He totally calmly said 'yeah sorry meant to warn you they do that'.

Then there was the daft decision to take a shortcut over the hills of County Durham on the way back. There we encountered a few small snow drifts. Nothing even close to what's been reported on the news, but significant enough to require a bit of skill to get past. Unfortunately the car in front of me was being driven by a nervous driver, who kept slowing right down at ever hint of snow on the road. Sensible of course, but not when they slow right down to walking pace. On one such patch we were going up hill. I was sat there willing them to pick up some speed. I was all too aware that being in a rear wheel drive vehicle, I wasn't going to get over that snow on a climb unless I had some momentum. Because the car in front slowed down so much, I was left with no option but to use the throttle while driving over it. I wanted to let momentum take me over but it wasn't to be. The result was inevitable. I had to really work that steering wheel as the back end swung this way and that. If there's been anything coming the other way I'd have had to stop, and that would have meant being stuck because you can't get a Volvo 940 moving again on ice on a hill once its stopped. I'd have had to stick the hazards on, hold up all the traffic, and zig zag my way out of the problem (I know, I had to do that once when I had a Volvo 940 before). Luckily it didn't come to that, there was nothing coming the other way so I was able to allow the car to slide as it climbed and I got it through ok.

She is a lovely machine. Pics to follow. I'd have put some on now but she is filthy (covered in winter road filth). She was clean when I picked her up but now she is not photo worthy.

 

Nice one Clue Enjoy.....