Thinkin About Buying 1994 940

[weston97glt]

Hey guys, My 96 850 platinum wagon died last week (water pump froze up, throwing timing belt) , so not I'm now looking for an ol reliable rwd volvo to get me around. I looked at a 94 940 sedan this evening and it ran like a dream! 209k miles, however was owned by a Volvo technician. Has had exhaust replaced already, and comes with brand new exhaust thats not installed just in case. Timing belt replaced at 200k, dont know much else about it, going back tomorrow to see all the records for it, but assuming that if was technician owned, then all should be in tip top. As far as i could tell, everything was in working condition, including heat, a/c, windows and fuel gauge. Even used only volvo oil filters. the family who owns it also has a s40 and c70 and 960, so it seems that their a Volvo for life family. They only want $1500 for it. Does it sound like a good deal? anything else i should look out for with the 940's? Anything specific to ask? Whats the water pump life like? Also, how simple are the 940's to work on? Looks like theres more than plenty room to work in the engine bay. any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Weston.

P.S.- anyone interested in buying a 96 platinum wagon with blown engine pm me, make me an offer. MANY new parts!

[nate2k5]

well you wouldn't have to worry about throwing a timing belt, the redblock is a non interference engine so if it snaps just put a new one on and go.

i can't tell you much about the 940 as i've only owned my 240 for a few weeks but the engines are essentially the same and i've done a waterpump/tb on one at the volvo shop i work at and it was fairly simple.

[weston97glt]

Yeah, the non interference engine is probably the biggest plus for me, along with the cheap parts and easiness to work on(compared to my 850 turbo). I am a college student, so i just dont have the money to maintain a fwd turbo car, but still am addicted to Volvos . The only thing that slightly worries me is the mileage, however for a well taken care of redblock, 209,000 is still fairly young.

[Three Fat Tigers]

These cars are IMO extremely easy to work on. I would expect about 90k miles out of a water pump, many will go much longer. Minor electrical glitches are about all there is to worry about, such as the gas gauge or the climate controls, usually the result of a simple solder joint failure. Front strut rod bushings can sometimes have a short life of around 30k miles, but are easy to change out: http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5305/8k0058-front-strut-rod-bushing-mini-kit

The '94 gets a locker rear end which is helpful in the dry and can be tricky when slick. Factory prewired for keyless entry so is relatively easy to install an aftermarket kit.

[eurotrashed]

I bought my son a 1995 940 wagon..he has yet to get his full license,It is a great car, 260K miles,easy to work on. I have been driving it to work for the past few months as the 850R is awaiting a RMS.

My commute is 100 miles one way. Very reliable car. I've replaced belts/hoses/plugs/motor mounts/front strut rod bushings(IPD). Runs great gets 27-28MPG HWY.

Wonder if he will trade for the Toyota pickup?

[Dree]

Hi Weston,

My European opinion: bought a 1992 Volvo 940 with 240.000km (approx.150.000miles) and drove it until 540.000km (335.000miles) without any major problems. Mostly regular costs for things like tires, fluids, filters, brakes; all 'wearing parts', that's all, nothing major motor- or chassiswise. Biggest cost was swap for another manual gearbox, but even that wasn't major. Only let me down once in the six years I've had it, and that was because of lack of maintenance.

Of course no car is the same, but wanted to let you know that these cars are (normally) extremely reliable and indeed very easy to work on.

Might pay back to buy a Haynes Manual for Volvo 940 so you can do a lot of maintenance yourselves.

And indeed lookes like a Volvo minded family who's selling it (for what reason?), so -but that's my European look at it- I wouldn't be worried to buy it.

Success!

Dree

[rodrigo]

I had a 94 940 and it was a great car. I got it with 132000 miles and sold with 176000 miles for an 850glt which I also liked a lot.

The 940 was not fast but it was big, roomy, comfortable and very reliable. Mechanically it was gery easy...I just did not like where the oil filter was located but thats not really a complaint.

I wish i had that car today....

[swedishiron]

I had a 1993 or 1994 940 Turbo with @260K when i sold it - the car felt strong as an ox and the engine pulled strong - i wouldnt worry so much about mileage on the 1992-1995 redblocks they are stout.

I would worry about fuel injector wiring harness degrading with age as if they arc that can cause a fire. My personal recommendations is to wipe the harnesses as clean as possible and then wrap them

3M flame retardent electrical tape.

From a safety standpoint the 1995+ 960/S90 is a signficant upgrade as they received high strength steel upgrades in the front to much better handle offset frontal collisions and they have thorax side impact airbags.

[Twitch125]

Buy it. I just recently bought a 1993 945 (n/a) and absolutely love it. The only thing I really have a problem with is that it wasn't offered in a stick-shift. It's my first Volvo, but I've been around them since I was nine.

[LloydDobler]

I think the '94-'95 940s are just about the most reliable Volvo built. They just run and run with cheap, easy to do maintenance. All the good stuff about the 240 but in a more refined chassis. If you're looking for dependable while being easy to maintain without breaking the bank, that's the car.