volvo 440. any good?

[theorganist]

Just remembered something else, the seatbelt light and TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA-TICKA.

Yes it certainly did the trick. Annoying if you put something heavy on the passenger seat

[M'coli]

Mmm I'm intrigued. Location?

 

Car update. Still not had a reply from volvo,viewed the corsa and it was a dog,viewed a fiat stilo that had serious knocking,no response from a 306 1.8 auto,306 hatch and a 306 estate. Hopefully going to view a ford escort cvt tomorrow and a vauxhall astra 1.6 8v

Wetherby.

 

Edit: http://autoshite.com/topic/19457-anyone-fancy-a-veg-friendly-citroen-bx-%C2%A3350-now-with-photos/

[AnthonyG]

What mainly killed the Volvo 400s my mate worked on was rust, rampant rust, on sills and rear wheelarches, and everywhere underneath. They are much worse than later 300s for this, the metal must be thinner or something.

 

Also crappy electrics, annoying things like windows but rarely bits important enough to stop it going. Mechanical bits are fairly straightforward.

[RobT]

If you want something cheap, may I suggest an R8? I drove my old 416GTi (now with Fatha T) this afternoon, and did a comparison with the Volvo. Same age and similar mileage, and the R8 is a much better car. No trim rattles, better suspension, and overall feels a more quality product that has lasted the test of time. Not saying the Volvo is shit, just the R8 shows it up a bit!

[AnthonyG]

I'd agree with that - better build and much more rust resistant.

[dugong]

I still have my 460 Turbo. It's a mega early one - might even be pre production as it was registered in Feb 1990 (and the 460 wasn't released until November the same year).

 

It is great, other than its tendency to murder starter motors by heat death

[oman5]

I always found 440s a bit "meh" to be honest. Not built to the same exacting standards as its larger, squarer brethren and thus little to really recommend it over a contemporary Ford/Vauxhall/renault etc.

still, if it's just cheap transport and it's in good fettle, why not?

[sierraman]

So its a Volvo, but with none of the attributes that make a Volvo attractive...

[dugong]

I always found 440s a bit "meh" to be honest. 

 

The non-turbo 400s do nowt for me either. I always found Vauxhalls and post MKII Golf-era Volkswagens the same. The like of Corsas et al send me to sleep. They were dull road furniture when new and deathly tedious today.  

 

My 460 Turbo stuffed an 8V GTI at Santa Pod and then set a faster time on a time attack at Oulton Park than a load of Golfs owned by spiteful Dubbers. Cheered me up, it did. Hrrm. They weren't badly set up, just squidgy (because Volvo had no idea what it wanted the car to be). 

 

The 480 will end up a minor 'Eighties classic sooner or later, because it was a genuinely interesting attempt at making a front-wheel drive coupe. 

 

Plus, if it's early enough, I'll buy it for spares when it dies \ you get fed up of it. 

 

 

 

[bub2006]

The 440 is afacelift,one of later ones made. It's a n plate se spec. Still can't find anything definitive on mpg. But from what I can gather check for rampant rust everywhere and electronics work. Anything else?

[dugong]

The 440 is afacelift,one of later ones made. It's a n plate se spec. Still can't find anything definitive on mpg. But from what I can gather check for rampant rust everywhere and electronics work. Anything else?

Deluded owners (see above). 

[bub2006]

That one is over my head,maybe it is because I'm ill and my head is wooly

[dugong]

That one is over my head,maybe it is because I'm ill and my head is wooly

 

I was taking the piss out of myself. Rest up mate. 

[bub2006]

Ah ok mate. Sorry.

[Station]

 

 

 

Interior really comfy. Which is good as the whole car was kind've dull (but who cares?)

[bub2006]

I ran an insurance quote and it's a fair bit cheaper than the corsa 3 pot. What was yours gettingmpg wise station? Seats look really comfy too

[Pete-M]

I think 440s are dismal. Even when new they felt ancient and a bit crap. They were the pensioners choice over an Orion and just as awful to drive, but not quite as shit to be in.

[dugong]

I think 440s are dismal. Even when new they felt ancient and a bit crap. They were the pensioners choice over an Orion and just as awful to drive, but not quite as shit to be in.

 

 

Alas. So much kinder about mine - even though it had a boot. 

[Station]

I was getting 35mpg - 40mpg from a 1.8Si, but that was CVT. I'd have a CVT again, I thought it was good.

[bub2006]

The one I'm going to look at is a manual 1.8. Should be a bit better mpg than a cvt then I'd have thought?

[Station]

Yes, a little bit.

I don't have it anymore, it sold on ebay for £250 no reserve last year.

[dugong]

Got 34 merp gers from my 460 Turbo by hyper miling it like a tedious gump. 

[bub2006]

Going to view it later. Shall see what happens.

[Bren]

Keep us updated.

[twosmoke300]

Was it these where the wiring looms were too short and the connectors used to pull apart?

Or am I thinking about the 480 En Suite?

[D Spares & Tyres]

If you are after some cheap modern shite I have just taken in a 54 plate Scenic you can have for £300 yes £300:

 

Its got a stoved in door and the dash display doesn`t work. seems ok otherwise

 

prob too common and boring but though I wound mention it

[bub2006]

Right been to view it. Rear arch has been quickly blown over and a few scuffs but to be expected. He told me when it's warm it sometimes won't fire. Started readily from cold and started when hot. I left it while checking paperwork on it for 15 minutes and it wouldn't start. Not even trying. After a couple of minutes of leaving it stood though it fired straight up. He said I can take it for 220. He said it's best to think about it and contact him tomorrow which I thought was damn decent. So question is what could be wrong and is it worth it?

[RoadworkUK]

Offer him £150 for 70% of the equity, but only if his business plan holds water. Does he own the dot.com?

 

It amazes me that so many "entrepreneurs" think they have a really valuable brand yet don't protect the trademark by taking sole ownership of the dot.com

[AnthonyG]

Eh? What's that got to do with a Volvo with hot start issues?

 

With reference to the 440 I would leave it and find something that will actually just run without any nasty surprises. An old Toyota Corolla, for example. Or perhaps a petrol Focus saloon (the £350 budget is limiting my suggestions a bit).

 

There's a nice Suzuki Alto for sale on Tyneside!

[beko1987]

That's a good point re insurance, when I was 17 and having lessons a 1.8 440 was top of my tree as it was cheap to insure!

 

Did always want one, but if the zx is comparable to it I may as well pretend the zx is a 440...