I have a '95 Volvo 960 3.0 Estate Automatic, and I would never trade it, even for free, for a new V70, simply because the 960 has RWD and is much more fun to drive. And more spacious boot.
My favourite Volvo is the 1959-1964 Amazon, or the 122S. I also like the Volvo 144, the 244, and the 740 series. I wasn't very pleased when Volvo switched to front-wheel drive. Being the old school car enthusiast, I prefer rear-wheel drive.
volvo have lost an important market segment by no longer making big, boxy cars. don't get me wrong, i loved the old P1800. but i recently failed to transport my trio to berlin in a new volvo estate, because the rear door was too small, too sloped and the overall carrying capacity far too limited ... so we took my vw caddy instead and had comfort for the three of us, plus all our equipment with plenty of room to spare for our overnight stuff. this would never have happened in the seventies, eighties or nineties. poor show, volvo. too much style leads inevitably to not enough content.
I not only prefer the boxy look, but the RWD platform as well. Even tho a non-turbo 740 had very little HP for its weight, you could still have fun with it cause it was RWD. And a 740 turbo was even more fun. Ive had a 850 turbo, and even tho it had 50-60 more HP than the 740 turbo, putting that power to the front wheels just wasn't as much fun! The 5T is a good engine, but it is facing the wrong way. For me, the 7 and 9 series were the last good Volvos.
It's a shame people want rounded, plastic cars for only two things: speed and gas efficiency. If Volvo still made the 240 or a similar model at a affordable price, I'd most certainly buy it. Safety is my favorite feature of Volvo. The boxiness and sharp engineering surely is something I prefer more than today's automobiles. We just bought a '03 S40, it's still got a bit of boxiness in it, pre-Ford engineering, and not to mention it still feels much heavier, compared to today's American and European cars. I like how the doors sound when they shut; "WHAP!"
LelouchLamperouge019 ive had 4 740's...two NA and two turbo. The "feel" of the car is just different from most cars. You feel the weight, and yet it doesn't hold the car back. It feels solid. The feedback threw the steering wheel is perfect. I hate that some stuff is going electric steering. But even many cars with mechanical steering don't give you the feel of the road like the Volvo 740 does. And those cars love to cruise! Get them on a highway and up to 70mph...and if you are not careful the next thing you know you are doing 90mph.
volvo always have a unique way to surprises me in each of their models. i'm addicted to it :P
This is a really informative and interesting little documentary. Very nice.
Amazing and learnfull Volvo history - thank you...!
It is, check the website -> 850 -> history for more info and pics of these mock-ups. :)
5:44 what song is that
This is an easy thumb up right here.
I have a '95 Volvo 960 3.0 Estate Automatic, and I would never trade it, even for free, for a new V70, simply because the 960 has RWD and is much more fun to drive. And more spacious boot.
I love the Volvo 855 that flat back one i even drive one
My favourite Volvo is the 1959-1964 Amazon, or the 122S. I also like the Volvo 144, the 244, and the 740 series. I wasn't very pleased when Volvo switched to front-wheel drive. Being the old school car enthusiast, I prefer rear-wheel drive.
volvo have lost an important market segment by no longer making big, boxy cars. don't get me wrong, i loved the old P1800. but i recently failed to transport my trio to berlin in a new volvo estate, because the rear door was too small, too sloped and the overall carrying capacity far too limited ... so we took my vw caddy instead and had comfort for the three of us, plus all our equipment with plenty of room to spare for our overnight stuff. this would never have happened in the seventies, eighties or nineties. poor show, volvo. too much style leads inevitably to not enough content.
I not only prefer the boxy look, but the RWD platform as well. Even tho a non-turbo 740 had very little HP for its weight, you could still have fun with it cause it was RWD. And a 740 turbo was even more fun. Ive had a 850 turbo, and even tho it had 50-60 more HP than the 740 turbo, putting that power to the front wheels just wasn't as much fun! The 5T is a good engine, but it is facing the wrong way. For me, the 7 and 9 series were the last good Volvos.
It's a shame people want rounded, plastic cars for only two things: speed and gas efficiency. If Volvo still made the 240 or a similar model at a affordable price, I'd most certainly buy it. Safety is my favorite feature of Volvo. The boxiness and sharp engineering surely is something I prefer more than today's automobiles. We just bought a '03 S40, it's still got a bit of boxiness in it, pre-Ford engineering, and not to mention it still feels much heavier, compared to today's American and European cars. I like how the doors sound when they shut; "WHAP!"
LelouchLamperouge019 ive had 4 740's...two NA and two turbo. The "feel" of the car is just different from most cars. You feel the weight, and yet it doesn't hold the car back. It feels solid. The feedback threw the steering wheel is perfect. I hate that some stuff is going electric steering. But even many cars with mechanical steering don't give you the feel of the road like the Volvo 740 does. And those cars love to cruise! Get them on a highway and up to 70mph...and if you are not careful the next thing you know you are doing 90mph.
Hugh Featherstone you should do as I, buy the 850 estate or first V70.