Free car! Volvo 740 estate - test drive - warts and all

Getting behind the wheel of my new Volvo 740GL estate which was free! Naturally, there are a few issues! She goes well though.
2-litre non turbo. Not GR8 4 DRIFTING though.
Based in Wales, UK and collected from St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. A crap car, but one I really like! EDIT - though not enough. I've since sold it. The sale raised £150 for charity.
Remember, this is like Top Gear, but much more rubbish. This is a motoring programme with zero budget and not much more in the way of skill.

[@92Markmcghee]

Its like you've made my dream KZbin channel, your videos are outstanding

[@trojanhunter007]

I had a 740gle estate with the 7 seat convertion, it was absolutely bullet proof.

[@22fret]

I love those old elks. I used to have a 740 estate, now I own a 940 (2.3 B230FB) estate with almost 250.000 mls on the counter. It does between 31 and 32 mpg. The 740 was a B200F, but its fuel consumption was higher (around 29 mpg). All in all great cars with a lot of character...

[@zloychechen5150]

Yeah, no real upside to those b200s. I guess they were just a tax solution. What surprized me though is that when i had an s90 with a 6304fs2 (and a manual), that drank very gently. It wouldn't exceed 11l/100km at 150 kph, and even at top speed (i.e. foot to the floor, 180 uphill, 205 downhill) its consumption was such that it wasn't a concern at all.

[@crustycorollas]

I love 740s seeing one still running makes me smile 440s and 850s are my favourite

[@HubNut]

+PCgeek486 I've not tried a 440 yet, but I liked this 850 diesel auto. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKK7eGaKotebb68

[@LapLandSystem]

440 aint even volvo its a renault lol

[@Chananda]

940 estate ftw

[@mark-1rc502]

Fantastic 🙏, my dad upgraded a 740GlE over the 240GL both estates , he was in the Antique trade as a restorer , My friends used to take the piss but they both were nice cars back in the days . Quite an improvement over a Morris Marina estate . We used to go Clacton every weekend to our caravan Sorry 🤗 It just brought back memories .

[@oakfront]

hi dollywobbler, i have just watched all 18 of your videos, after seeing your thread on autoshite, where i have been a member for a few years.(blackbart) great videos, i look forward to more stories on autoshite and hopefully lots more videos on here. and yes i will subscribe to your channel now ian. all the best, and keep up the good work mate.

[@superbracey]

Every time I turn on my phone I'm faced with another photo of this man, and beard, sat in another shite car that I've either owned or still do own. KZbin video recommendations are spot on these days.

[@daveyr5462]

This is the first Ovlov I had. I really miss it. It was comfortable and reliable and not that bad on petrol considering. I don't miss the annoying squeaks from the interior though, the vents would squeak with every lump or pothole and it was like driving a giant, comfortable canary cage at times. The leather seats were comfortable as hell and heated too, which was veeery nice. No more frozen bum for me. It was an enormous, capacious tank that would never let you down. Then cameth the V70 D5 185 which was just as good as the 740, although not quite as reliable or solid but enjoyable all the same thanks to that very nice 5 pot snarl the D5 gave. Frankly if I could find another 740 estate I'd go for it in a flash. It's an Old School Volvo and is the quintessential zeitgeist of Swedish cars.

[@shepshepherd]

Volvo 740s are excellent cars. I've owned my 1990 estate for nearly 12 years now :)

[@forresg500]

How long do the PSV last? Positive crankcase ventilation

[@garyhardwick8489]

So glad you got a haircut!! Not seen this one before.

[@elizabethcherry920]

I really find your videos very interesting and I do love watching them alot. I also see that you live in Wales, the bright side of my family (Owens) descends from Wales. The Owens came to the states I believe around the 1700s. I don't know in latter videos if you still live in Wales, but it good to see the English countryside, I am trying to get to see England before I drop, being 51 and of poor health I really don't think thats going to happen. Keep doing great videos.

[@HubNut]

Thank you!

[@sbomorse]

I loved my 240GLT. It was really quick. Only did 17MPG though and the heater matrix went and left me stranded. I was only 18 years old at the time. Brilliant car.

[@matthewc.419]

17 mpg!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂 I had a 340 1.4 petrol manual , my adventures with that car .......

[@sbomorse]

@@matthewc.419 probably the most fuel inefficient old car I've ever owned!

[@matthewc.419]

@@sbomorse 😱😱😱😱😳 My ford focus mk2 facelift 1.6 zetec petrol manual, i only ever got 24 mpg outa her 🤷🏼‍♂️😳 Was your 240 a 2.0 litre ????? I well remember them , they used to rock side to side ......i used to wash volvo cars at a volvo garage many moons ago .....🤷🏼‍♂️😳

[@mikecawood]

I had a Volvo 740GLE (leather seats!) Estate, when I was doing design work in the aerospace industry it took me up and down the country every week for years. Eventually all the winter journeys on motorways with all the salt started to corrode the chassis although the body panels never rusted.

[@jeep2003]

My neighbor has one he bought new its got 850k something miles on it. Sadly you can tell by looking at it I dont think its long for this world. Iv seen people cut out the middle section rear doors and seats to shorten them like a golf they look quite cool.

[@jasonpeters9390]

Good video it only leaks when it rains i used to have a opel manta. And the passanger side used to fill up with water when it rained quick fix drill some holes in the floor

[@granskare]

in USA, the Volvo is known as a reliable car. I particularly liked the PV models and the Amazon :)

[@minidriversouthsweden5137]

My father had a Volvo 245 estate 1982 blue and it was a great car to load in. But I remember it to had a ton of problems with it. But it was a great family car for it’s age. He sold the car and got a Seat Cordoba.

[@grantmarshall3026]

I've driven a various assortment of Volvo's when I was a taxi driver in the early 00's. we had a 940 lpt 2.0 and a standard 2.0. I managed 350 miles on a tank in the lpt, and 375-400 in the standard 2.0, during a mix of predominantly urban driving. The lpt had an overdrive,press that button and you're pinned to the seat! I also drove a basic 1994 Volvo 440 with 1.6 engine,no power steering, keep fit windows, and many electrical gremlins. I also drove a 2.5tdi V70 with NO heated seats and I don't think it got top gear as it was sitting close to 3000rpm at 60mph. one morning I went out to work and I discovered a massive puddle of gearbox oil,most disconcerting! A spare box couldn't be found, and I shed a tear when it was scrapped. We had a manual version as a spare to convert it, but not the time. oh the memories. Much joy!

[@zloychechen5150]

Speaking of v70s, the gear ratios are a bit funny - i have a 2,5t awd, and that does 3000 rpm at 150 kph (i guess that's 90-95 mph). Despite being that long-legged, at speed it goes like it shouldn't, and it's stock. Easily cruises at 210 up really steep hills. Utterly terrible to run though. Replaced the gearbox, the bevel gear, turbo, and many more things. 440K km on the clock (i guess 540 in reality, because 1990s and all). I don't know why i still have it, it's a piece of shit, those rwd ones are free to keep up compared to that thing.

[@HenrysAdventures]

I agree with you on modern estates! This is proper practical estate car!

[@theodor466]

Yeasterday i bought a Volvo 740 from 1988 and i Love it :)

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Do you still love it? ;D

[@theodor466]

No its not working any more :(

[@aaronchamberssaabfan7397]

theodor466 did you ever get to love it again

[@niklaswejedal463]

Amazing - "for free" is exactly what I would pay for one of those to! (My parents had one when I was training for my drivers license. I quickly learned to hate it and used my dad's Saab 90 (company car, no less!) for the rest of the training...)

[@1961kickboxer]

I've got the b230k estate with a pierburg carb it's a glorious barge

[@smoothmicra]

Never been a fan of Volvo styling (always looked like something a boy challenged to draw a car with his geometry set had come up with), but no denial about the build quality. I still cannot get excited about them in any way, shape or form. Would never want to own one....but feel strangely admiring of people who take them on. Lovely old family buses.

[@KittenMcGray]

i had a 760GLE once for 850 euro had a half year fun in all that luxury with the airco and the leather interior

[@ralphups7782]

The first bus, seemed to be going like the clappers.? Was that Stirling moss driving.😓

[@akr01364]

I have a '94 940 and can tell you this, a new VX camshaft from a company called iPD in Portland, Oregon, USA makes all the difference in the world. It's crazily simple to install and the engine just breathes so much better with the thing. Which for about $200 USD and an hour and a half's labor makes you wonder why Vovlo didn't use a similar cam from the beginning. They did have a VX of their own that they only used for about a year. But, the performance of that engine overlapped with the turbo so much that it made little sense to keep it around. (it was a hell of a lot more reliable too)

[@stevek3036]

I had a 1989 F plate GL as a company car and got 26MPG so you were spot on with that. I had lots of Fords and Vauxhall company cars and when I got the Volvo I had high expectations. It is a very unremarkable car in terms of handling and deportment. That said the clutch was light, as was the steering, it had a reasonably good turning circle and the single overhead camshaft 2.0 litre was very smooth with no vibration right up to the red-line. There is no discernible power band on the engine. It did appear to be much better made in terms of corrosion resistance compared to Fords and Vauxhalls of that era. On the downside it was only able to achieve around 110MPH flat out, was very in-economical compared to the competition and was noticeably under geared making motorway driving unduly noisy even at 70MPH. It felt too busy and noisy and that was the nail in the coffin for me as I spent most of my miles up and down the country. On a final note I would say that it did have an endearing quality to it, they call it 'character' Somehow it felt reassuringly reliable - which it was. I like your videos and appraisals so thanks for posting and keep them coming

[@HubNut]

Thanks! This was a particularly poor example. Mind you, so was the 2.3 auto I owned about a decade ago. I need to try one that hasn't been thoroughly neglected and worn out!

[@neodonkey]

chikey, how fast was bus #1 going! It was belting it.

[@philtowle4683]

Think they driver used to do the taxi tours of the nurburgring

[@simonbeasley989]

Sounded rather nice, that first bus too.

[@oakfront]

iv'e just realised there are a lot more than 18 videos on your channel lol. oh well, i'll grab a beer and settle down for a while.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

The 740 is actually basically the same as an amazon other than possibly having macpherson struts on the front. Maybe that's why it feels old world. I believe Wellington used an amazon to get to waterloo.

[@MrJimbaloid]

I went to Lyon in her just last summer. She was tested in January and she is yours for free.

[@MrChris1316]

strangely be very careful if you drive them in snow,they like opel mantas and sd1s have anti squat rear suspention,long central torquearm pivoting near the middle of the car.so when you pull away it lifts or at the very least stays level at the back,thus no weight transfer and so very little traction.v odd for a car built in sweden. the 96o you picked up had a independant rear end tho the estates didnt.

[@danross8565]

I had a V50 in burnt orange as a company car!. Was a good motorway runner but did nothing for my street cred but managed to swap it for a megane GT line. A far better car

[@paulmartin2807]

We had a Volvo 850 2.5 auto estate,was a good car, we drove from Barnstaple in North Devon to Northern Ireland,drove around the ROI and back and it didn't miss a beat,one of the best cars we had,head gasket went in the end at 173k...

[@andyb3666]

Did you not get it fixed? You sounded very fond of it

[@video99couk]

I was given a free car in 2001. It's in the body shop at the moment getting a little rust attended to, but that's not too bad considering it's a 1972 Hillman Avenger. Never driven a Volvo 740, but the displeasure of driving a 340 saloon and later a 440 was quite enough. I trust the 740 was a less clunky experience.

[@HubNut]

A free Avenger? Very nice. I've always liked them. Have never understood why anyone would consider an Escort as superior.

[@HakanKoseoglu]

Oooh I like the 960. I had a H reg 940 for 6 years and I miss it very much. Drove like a tank. Edit: When I sold it it had done 250000 miles and probably could do another 100k without a problem.

[@RichieRouge206]

I’m a huge Volvo fan, had three 740s

[@HubNut]

I like 740s too. But I'm yet to own a halfway-decent one.

[@RichieRouge206]

You should try a 960 3.0 24v if you like the Alfa V6

[@jameswarden9136]

I live in Haverfordwest wales!!! what a coincidence. Love your videos btw

[@HubNut]

+rufus dog Diolch!

[@cme2cau]

You want to talk coincidences? I live in Australia and not only did I have a 2.3 740GL saloon I bought new in 1988, my late aunt lived for her final years in a lovely aged care facility in Tiers Cross, Haverfordwest!

[@cme2cau]

Oh and I did visit her a few times. South west Wales is lovely.

[@nomoremrniceguy368]

@@cme2cau just back from a week long holiday near tenby. Beautiful places, coast, castles, people, greetin-faced weans (mine), can't wait to get back.

[@BITTYBOY121]

That was a cool freebie ! - Shame it was a Volvo and not a 1970's VW camper van ! - That would complete the perfect Hippy look ! :-)

[@jaggass]

I used to see 740 estates loaded up to the brim and dogs in the back

[@andrewjohnson7960]

Mental that you got it for free ! How do you mange this, my dad bought a Transit van for £15 each with his mate we got 3 years out it then banger raced it got like £100 back in scrap

[@jaggass]

Did it get scrapped?

[@billy2rivers1]

Had a 760 turbo years ago ,the heated seats in that made you feel like you had done a wet fart.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

#wasmyvolvo intresting that the seats you are sitting in are same Volvo trim in Foxanne I would guess.

[@davestraight8219]

love the bus action for the svm lickers :D how are you gonna cope with no elec probs and steel springs :D

[@HubNut]

+dave straight Ha! Most of the dash lights don't work. Fuel gauge and rev counter are intermittent. Turns out electrics on these are pish too.

[@MrHYDRO84]

Tanks total workhorses

[@dralnico3527]

Wait you have a 2-litre version? So a B200? Pretty much all 740's are 2.3-litre, B230 series, my -87 sedan being a 2.3-litre B230F EFI engine. Mine gets 35 UK MPG.

[@HubNut]

Yes, 2-litre was quite common here, possibly due to a company car tax break at that size. I did have a 2.3 auto estate some years ago. That could easily top 30mpg. I no longer own either car.

[@moschops2002]

This would be the perfect car for you nowadays!

[@spencermcdonald3885]

The volvo 960,940,760,740 the shape always confuses me because all them cars are the same shape

[@HubNut]

Indeed. 960 saloons have a bigger arse but the estates are all very similar bar nose jobs.

[@MrWiskin]

I have many questions Mr Sparkle! Why so many cars are they all insured and taxed? Why all old crappy cars and what do you do with them?

[@HubNut]

All insured and taxes. I love crappy cars. They're usually cheap. I usually keep them for a bit and then sell them on. Usually at a loss.

[@1961kickboxer]

Volvo 740 diffs are indestructible I keep my one well lubed with fresh oil.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Wow…money in the bank this one…nice😀👍

[@jaggass]

would you ever do a volvo 940 turbo diesel? loved them as a kid

[@HubNut]

+michael jagger I'm very keen to try one. I love big diesel engines.

[@jaggass]

HubNut yes they pull like a train.

[@peterfriel5129]

+michael jagger Ive got one love it ,got to change oil regulary has to be synthetic too.These engine dont like to be revved until there warmed up.!!

[@spencermcdonald3885]

The citroen xm was actually introduced in 1989 not 88 (correct me if i am wrong)

[@HubNut]

+Alyson O'Connell Duh! My typo. I should know that seeing as I attended the 25th anniversary in 2014!

[@boubou230910]

All the estate editions of Volvos are the best and cheapest way to travel and CAMP. They are so big inside that 2 people sleep with no problems. Here in Greece they didnt sale that good cause its shape reminds us a hearse.....lol

[@8Dbaybled8D]

(whilst complaining): "I'm still not complaining for free"

[@tariqtvproductions]

What was this 740 like? Would you recommend one?

[@HubNut]

This one was awful. Nice ones are great cars.

[@tariqtvproductions]

@@HubNut thanks dude keep up the great work :)

[@spencermcdonald3885]

Was it a 2.3 turbo or non turbo on the saab

[@HubNut]

+Alyson O'Connell Non turbo. 150bhp is enough for me. Was nicely brisk and delivered 34mpg. Just never quite managed to win me over, as I explain here. wp.me/p1jtbd-3P

[@spencermcdonald3885]

Can you do a saab 9000 v6 if you can

[@HubNut]

Would love to. Owned an early 2.3 a few years ago. Pre-video days sadly.

[@MrJimbaloid]

Hello Ian do you want to rehome a 13 year old citroen c5 estate? I've had her for 11 yrs but the heater is broken on the drivers side and I'm having a new car. If you want cissy the citroen she's yours.

[@HubNut]

Thanks, but I have more than enough vehicles at the moment.

[@MrJimbaloid]

@@HubNut no prob it just breaks my heart to think of her going for scrap.

[@maheshyogi1028]

What happened to it Hub?

[@HubNut]

Sold to a friend, but swiftly sold on again. No news after that. It was pretty shonky...

[@Dan-hq2js]

I myself own my work van plus 3 cars none newer than 04, may I ask how you manage to insure tax and keep so many cars all at one time , I find insurance cost a lot more than the cars cost, around £1000 insurance alone per year. The cars funnily enough are all models you have owned yourself.

[@HubNut]

I pay a pretty hefty premium for so many cars. Cheap per car, but it does add up, especially with business cover.

[@Dan-hq2js]

@@HubNut thanks so much for the reply , nice to know I'm not alone then ! .currently have a starlet I've had from almost new, a rover 623auto and a rover 75 I was given for free, plus my Berlingo with the faithful and reliable dw8 !

[@cambs0181]

Tragically sad observation, but the second bus was a Volvo and possibly the first one!

[@joshwheatstonemusic]

Based in Wales hugh? Pontypool me haha

[@zloychechen5150]

Well, i live in russia and i have a mate who is a big long-bearded metalhead who is a bartender, and he can often be seen in a My little pony tshirt and everything, and he has a volvo 745 (probably his 7th volvo or something). Some things are meant to go together in this universe, i guess.

[@JesusChristisfake]

Best cars in the road

[@HubNut]

This one wasn't...

[@JesusChristisfake]

O dear sorry it didn't work out! I've worked and driven many cars like yourself, for me in terms of reliability and value you can't beat them. The old volvo's are great workhorses and will crack 400k miles when looked after. Not a fan of the new volvo's hate the way they've sold out and borrowed from other manufacturers. I know they used Renault engines in the past but that was an option!

[@PHAEDRIDER]

free? hell yes.

[@worldhello1234]

Free moneypits ain't exactly free, lad.

[@jsd5670]

Thst first bus was thrashing it 😳

[@jeff4362]

I wish I could've gotten a free Volvo...

[@TheMentalblockrock]

I have to disagree with your comments about Morris Minors having a "wayward rear end", on the limit (which is quite slow and safe on skinny tyres) a Minor safely and mildly understeers. The rear axle locations is no worse than any other live axle 1950's to 1970's RWD car. By this time any 'waywardness" will be down to worn shackle bushes, leaky dampers or worn/loose spring plates and loose U bolts (that hold the axle to the spring). I think you might be thinking of the Triumph herald that had its swing axle behaviour. Plus, even a 1098 Minor does not have enough power to provoke oversteer in the dry, and in the wet (or on worn crossplies) it is very controllable and at an entertainingly lowish speed. The Minor actually out handled many cars considered 'sporty" when it came out in the late 40's.

[@HubNut]

If I didn't know someone who had put one into a ditch, I'd agree with you. You can do a fair bit to improve the rear end.

[@TheMentalblockrock]

Just because your mate ended up in a ditch it doesn't mean the Minor has a "wayward rear end!!" it just means your friend was driving too fast for the road and conditions, @@HubNut What exactly do you suggest to "improve the rear end"???

[@HubNut]

Fitting some proper dampers, which help with axle location, is a good start.

[@hoffwell]

I've got oil and air filters for this old bus if you are wanting some cheap filters. PM me.

[@Ammageddon89]

26mpg isn´t really bad for a car of the 80s. Any other car with a comparible sized engine would use pretty much the same amount of fuel ;)

[@HubNut]

I don't agree. My Renault 21 2-litre averaged 35mpg, while my Saab 9000 2.3 could do 34.

[@thesillyhatday]

Ammageddon89 I drive a 2 litre Honda Type R which gets about 27mpg. Which is about 500kg lighter also. For an 80's volvo, it's pretty good

[@nigelrudd670]

Watched this is my volvo 🤓

[@simonbeasley989]

Can I correct your video description text please? This channel is actually far more interesting than Top Gear.

[@Eray2007]

*it's free real estate*

[@chunkymonkey55555]

I nearly bought a second hand old banger Volvo recently, glad i didnt. Or am I........?

[@spencermcdonald3885]

Hubnut Merry Christmas

[@davespooney8472]

HubNut, you remind me of Tupac Shakur.

[@HubNut]

Crappy-Volvo Love...

[@TheHunter-cm5ci]

Why dont yall call it volvo 745

[@Eray2007]

Its free real estate

[@andyb3666]

This sounds like an American

[@donnageorge-henderson5419]

Shonk old heap 🤣

[@johnbonner258]

Ditch the beard

[@HubNut]

Nah. I'm good thanks.

[@owensteele1274]

@CURTIS8516 Absolutely!!! We all love the beard.

[@davidmg1925]

If I thought you "drifted" any car deliberately ...... particularly a Volvo......... I would unsub you instantly and without hesitation.