Volvo 340 - Boxing Clever (1988 1.4 Road Test)

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  • Опубліковано 29 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 94

  • @Skoda130
    @Skoda130 3 роки тому +6

    No, the gearbox was not in the rear for weight distribution primarily, but because by desigh, the space for the bulky variomatic transmission was located there.
    And that left no space in the front for the manual gearbox, so that was installed in the rear as well. :-) It was never designed for a manual gearbox.
    The weight distribution was a nice side effect.

  • @Hgopiute
    @Hgopiute 4 роки тому +12

    I drive a 340 and I'm 18, My dad drove 340 at the same age, I've grown up with Volvos all my life 👌

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  4 роки тому +2

      You've had a great upbringing, Zack!

    • @Hgopiute
      @Hgopiute 4 роки тому +2

      @@ClassicsWorldUK Thank-you my friend, brilliant video by the way 👍

    • @SlightlyDazed.
      @SlightlyDazed. 4 роки тому +2

      I'm 17 and need to fix mine up before she goes on the road but I'm looking forward to it, you got the 1.7?

  • @humfyb2544
    @humfyb2544 Рік тому +1

    360 were used as patrol cars in Malaysia during these times

  • @jameswarden9136
    @jameswarden9136 4 роки тому +13

    I love the Volvo 340. We had one when I was a kid.

  • @jaspersilus
    @jaspersilus 3 роки тому +5

    My first car, 340 dl, maroon, 440glt alloys, sports exhaust, drove the hell out of it, never broke down!

  • @waziotter
    @waziotter 2 роки тому +7

    I learned to drive in one of these. The review is spot on. Weighed as much as a small planet and was totally indestructible. There is no upper body work out quite like a 3 point turn in one of these. But also fun to drive along country B roads at 60.

  • @tomupward9012
    @tomupward9012 3 роки тому +6

    My first ever car 25 years ago and it saved my life in a big accident! One day I’ll get another.

  • @gonncalomariamonteiro4176
    @gonncalomariamonteiro4176 4 роки тому +3

    Had 3...all 1.4s. Love them to bits, drove them to destruction (but they never did). "Ugliest" car on campus, completely underdog, leftwing, no bulls given car. Never failed me. A massive laugh on wet or on gravel. Learned to drive "properly" in slippery conditions with these old mules. Miss them...a lot.

  • @ASDASD34RDFS
    @ASDASD34RDFS 2 роки тому +1

    I owned a 343DL 1979, low mileage and in good condition. renovated the entire thing as a little project, and used it as a daily as I was working on it. Basically everything that could break, broke. But, it was so easy to work on I could fix anything in an hour if I had the new parts. This car taught me how to work on cars and what is required to actually have a car function for a long time. Loved driving it and I found it to be way comfier and better than an old 240 or 740. This was due to the 340 having low mileage and was basically brand new, and I've only driven very long mileage 240s and 740s.
    Had to sell it though because parts are scarce, and I could not afford to import parts from England, and there was a very long wait time due to customs. Additionally, some parts are no longer available for this car anymore. Especially mk1s in Sweden because as you said, they actually recalled them and scrapped many, many mk1s. And they sold poorly due to the CVT and flimsy trims. Finding new parts, or used parts, such as a drive axles are near impossible to find because of this. In addition to this, people began looting old MK1s for their parts, and this has been going on for almost 20 years now, so when I this year bought my mk1 I was doomed to fail at some point, and I did. When the cv axles began to knock due to poor lubrication it was over. I never found any replacement parts, and I knew that lubricating them and changing the boots could make it last a little longer. But, the issue would resurface in the future and it would be doomed. I guess I could change out the bearings and do some machining, but I do not have the time, money or energy to do this, over and over again for various unobtainable parts.
    Good, solid and reliable car that was easy to fix if you had the parts. 7/10.

  • @dglcomputers1498
    @dglcomputers1498 2 роки тому +1

    My Gran/Grandad had one on a F plate from new until 2000 (plys they might have had one begore that used) and it stayed in the family until 2006, it transferring to my Auntie (replacing an X reg Fiesta Ghia) as a condition of being brought a new car by her cousin, it being replaced with a new Focus and then in 2006 it being scrapped and replaced by a craptacular new KA (that only lasted 10 years).
    It was a 1.7GLE F202DYA, was a great vehicle and a big part of my childhood, primarily as my dad never kept cars longer than the MOT/TAX! Never had any massive issues and only near the end did things start going a little iffy (indicator stalk being a bit wobbly and not auto cancelling is one issue I remember), the last MOT just mentions an advisory for a slightly leaking exhaust in marked contrast to the KA which had much corrosion .
    Uncle also had an older DL? on a C plate, as such before it got replaced in 2004 (with a new Wagon R+) they were a two 340 household!

  • @jaggass
    @jaggass 4 роки тому +5

    In Volvo's traditional the 340 was built like a tank. My Neighbour had a 5dr 1.4 Limited Edition. A bit heavy on fuel but reliable. Styling wise you can see the influences the 340 had on the Alfa Romeo 33

  • @amc3
    @amc3 3 роки тому +1

    The 340 was my first Volvo in 1996, loved it, great reliable family car for two young children. Later I then got a 440 and V40.
    While I liked my 440 and V40, the 340 still steals my heart, was an absolute joy of a car.

  • @grahamsmith6946
    @grahamsmith6946 2 роки тому +1

    Have owned 9 300 series In all engine sizes , loved everyone one of them and would buy another even now

  • @Nerd3927
    @Nerd3927 11 місяців тому

    My First real car. I had a Golf 1 for 4 months or so and then the first 340 that lasted 8 years or so. Great car, Good quality and easy to work on. Learned a lot in those 8 years of ownership. Drove one for fun 13 years ago. Today I live in Rotterdam, a bit to busy... Here I like my power steering, ABS and Airbags that were not available on a 340...

  • @traceynorcross5666
    @traceynorcross5666 2 роки тому +2

    I had a1988,1.7 for 10 years and did 189000 miles in it, now have a 10 year old S40 with 55000 on the clock so that will do me for the rest of my days.

  • @OdykKayne
    @OdykKayne 4 роки тому +5

    Very cool little thing! Some very neat engineering as well, and I still LOVE that color!

  • @martij30
    @martij30 2 роки тому

    I bought a 360 (300 with the 2-liter Redblock engine) about 4 years ago. I use it to get to work regularly, done roadtrips through Europe and Scandinavia and to learn wrenching & bodywork repairs as a hobby. It's such a great allround classic; useable, not too expensive and unique.

  • @Charliecomet82
    @Charliecomet82 2 роки тому

    I saw some of these on a trip to France back in '89-all I could say was, "How cute! Baby Volvos!"

  • @mikbe2579
    @mikbe2579 2 роки тому

    The Volvo 340 1.4l CVT transmission was my first car, and I loved it, because it was simply good and very handy.

  • @randomnesspersonified
    @randomnesspersonified Рік тому

    My first car was a 343 (1.4L, 3 door). I had it 2 years then I got a 5 door 340 with a 1.7L engine. Bought a 440, HATED it, sold it on and found a cheap 340 to drive round in again. Until I inherited a garaged, belter of a 740 saloon from my parents when they upgraded. The 740 was lovely, but my soft spot will always be for the 340's - it's probably nostalgia cos me and my mates had an absolute blast when I owned my 340s. Then I grew up, got married, had child, got boring. I think it would be great to drive a 340 again after all these years, just to see if they are really as good as I remember them. Or maybe just leave the fond memories where they belong and not spoil things eh.

  • @bombadilian
    @bombadilian 4 роки тому +2

    Brilliant, thorough review and that is a gorgeous example you're driving there, a real credit to the owner.
    Hoping to get mine looking as good as that in the near future.
    Keep up the good work!

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  4 роки тому

      Thanks for watching 😁 best of luck with your car!

  • @doctorsocrates4413
    @doctorsocrates4413 Рік тому +1

    My first ever volvo was the volvo 360 and it was incredibly well built and sturdy..felt like driving a tank..i have driven volvo cars ever since and have owned 240 and 740 saloons..Currently driving an S 40 1.6 petrol...superb cars.

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  Рік тому

      Indeed!

    • @sg-tp7sc
      @sg-tp7sc 10 місяців тому

      A Volvo 360 gls was my 3rd car I was 21/22 ish around 1990 it was a 1984 B reg I had it over 5 years it was a very good car.my first car with rear seat belts

  • @cristianferrari7286
    @cristianferrari7286 3 роки тому +1

    My first car was a 340 gle sedan with variomatic. I really really love it. Onde day i'll get another for sure.

  • @gabrielv.4358
    @gabrielv.4358 Рік тому +1

    I'd love to have this car! This is a very nice little Volvo. The engine is the most interesting part of the vehicle! The Renault Cleon engine used is so reliable and echonomical I'd NEVER guess I'd see it on a Volvo. Here where I live this engine is on Fords and VW's too! Nice review!!!

  • @nealeburgess6756
    @nealeburgess6756 3 роки тому +1

    You are correct that the gearbox at the back gives good weight distribution and handling. But I think you are a bit optimistic that Volvo chose it for that reason. The reality is that it was designed around the Daf/Van Doorne/Variamatic transmission, and the need for a manual led to the rear transaxle, because that was where the space was for a transmission.
    Incidently, I was in the market for an automatic back in the day, and test drove the Variomatic version. It was awful. So noisy Volvo supplied ear plugs (OK I made that bit up, but it certainly was not quiet). However the manual ones were quite good.

  • @robertfarnsworth3706
    @robertfarnsworth3706 2 роки тому

    My first car was a 1984 3dr 1.4, B Reg and cost me £200. It gave me seven years of faultless service. All things considered, the best car I've ever owned. It had go, fuel okay, strong enough and roomy. Boot was cavernous.

  • @Radfordperson
    @Radfordperson 3 роки тому +1

    So good, I have two of them! 340 GL and a 340 GLE

  • @TomBailey10
    @TomBailey10 4 роки тому +1

    Fantastic work Joe!

  • @Phiyedough
    @Phiyedough 2 роки тому +1

    I only watched this to see the pedal layout but it was not shown. I'm told they had the accelerator pedal on the left?

  • @thavashgovender4345
    @thavashgovender4345 3 роки тому +1

    Only 5k views ? This is quality viewing ( and the cars interesting too )

  • @chrisrichmond403
    @chrisrichmond403 Рік тому

    I owned a 340 GL as my first car in the late nineties into the early 2000’s .
    The car dated from 1983 and was owned by my grandparents on my mum’s side until i purchased it.
    I found the 1.4 Renault engine sluggish but thirsty, The Car had multiple failures at the same time so i had it scrapped.
    I have since even owned a second Volvo up till 2 1/2 years ago a V50 1.6D until i part ex, d that in ( I still do see this last Volvo about on the road)

  • @toothpastaduck3613
    @toothpastaduck3613 3 роки тому +2

    I own a 343 I had the exact same problem with the indicator, but it's fixed. U should really drive one with the Variomatic. I love how they drive and pretty save for the 80's. U should see big bars inside the doors. I als bought a Daf 66 Recently u should do a review on a Daf they are really interesting. Nice vid

  • @timbre7999
    @timbre7999 3 роки тому +1

    Very interesting! My grandfather had one in custard yellow. Not quite as nimble as your 205 but a very entertaining car nontheless. Volvo has proven over the years to be much more than just reliable. Many of their cars are a lot of fun to drive (I have a particular love for the V50 but even the huge V70 can be great fun). And Volvo seats; uniquely comfortable and supportive, incomparable to any other brand.

  • @stephenmiller3518
    @stephenmiller3518 4 роки тому +1

    What an excellent video, well done and very informative.

  • @proccupuntu
    @proccupuntu 11 місяців тому

    my second car was a Volvo 343, the third a 340,
    the fourth was a 460 (I had a head-on accident at 100 mph without a seatbelt and didn't hurt myself)...
    then after the mercedes 180.. I went back to the old Volvos..
    Now I have an 850 T5 SW from '95 and I will never sell it

  • @Eltonlaleham
    @Eltonlaleham 2 роки тому +1

    My very first car was a Vovlo 340 and the colour was graphite grey

  • @fulwell1
    @fulwell1 4 роки тому

    Had two - a 340 with the 1.4 Renault B14 engine that was about as reliable as a politician, and then a 360 which was an absolute belter until I wrapped it around a huge fence post.

  • @andyb3666
    @andyb3666 4 місяці тому

    These days they are great cars to do Trampdrift in

  • @davidcufc
    @davidcufc 4 роки тому

    I had one of these. I didn't enjoy driving it at all and as pointed out in the video it was and felt heavy. It put me off Volvos for life, probably unfairly.

  • @davidyoung9561
    @davidyoung9561 4 роки тому +1

    Big car thinking small car as is the Volvo 340. What are many car manufacturers doing now such as BMW with the 1-series, Audi with the A1 and Volvo have been doing this for many years with the V40 and XC40. I hate and love the XC40 because it's an SUV but it looks similar to the 340. I have a 1984 A-reg 340 and love it. They get a lot of slack but this is from people that have never owned and driven one. My one has the 1.4 engine and handles well. The build quality is solid and it has many safety features unheard of at the time in the likes of Vauxhall and Ford etc.

    • @julienbee3467
      @julienbee3467 4 роки тому

      Is it reliable ? Fun to drive ?

    • @toothpastaduck3613
      @toothpastaduck3613 3 роки тому

      @@julienbee3467 Yes

    • @chrishart8548
      @chrishart8548 3 роки тому

      Ford and vauxhall never thought about safety until the focus in 1998 the mk3 astra was better for safety. The escorts were death traps

  • @Tom-ok3le
    @Tom-ok3le Рік тому +1

    Had 1.7 and 360 ,2 litre ,were fun cars ,over the 1.4 .

  • @Redblock_Alex
    @Redblock_Alex 4 роки тому +2

    Got a modified saloon in this colour if you wanna compare lmao , good video and odd to see my colour so shiney

    • @SlightlyDazed.
      @SlightlyDazed. 3 роки тому

      Lovely colour and I'm rather jealous of the saloon profile, I've got a 1.7 in a light grey which currently leaks coolant, hopefully I'll have her on the road soon

  • @ddfann
    @ddfann 9 місяців тому

    My first car was a 340 DL, it handled like a dog with excessive lean in the corners and hit every bump and pothole like a hammer. The only good thing was because it had a live rear axle and leaf spring suspension it would slide the tail so easily meaning you could drift around corners at will.

  • @curtis8516
    @curtis8516 3 роки тому +1

    My granddad had a 1984 Volvo 360 GLT. Moved like shit off a shovel, sadly lost to the scrappage scheme C60 CYM

  • @TheAllMightyGodofCod
    @TheAllMightyGodofCod 2 роки тому

    Don't you mean "think inside the box"? Those are really boxy and I like that!

  • @Fireman9ify
    @Fireman9ify 2 місяці тому

    My Sister had a Volvo 340, they where slow well built and the steering feed back was like stiring porridge. Very well built but the 0 to 60 time must have been 18 seconds, going down a hill. Electric heated seats which was cool but not a car you would ever want to own again

  • @terrificspokesman7416
    @terrificspokesman7416 4 роки тому +1

    Used to have a Volvo 360 GLT as a first car.
    I mean my parents

  • @crackersmcfee2584
    @crackersmcfee2584 2 роки тому

    I loved the car, not the renault engine. The trans axle was for the wacky cvt which was enormous and dropped because it was woeful. Next car was a Peugeot 405 which showed how stone age the 340 was. They didn't have the money for transverse engines and actual suspension. Its like a plain girlfriend you had a long time ago that was fun at the time but never want to see again.

  • @BizzKek-hc3bd
    @BizzKek-hc3bd 3 місяці тому

    damn shame the Renault R12 never got the front engine, rear drive transaxle ..... but hoon the hell outta of it I did - no parking lot under snow was safe while I was in high school

  • @terrificspokesman7416
    @terrificspokesman7416 4 роки тому +1

    My parents had a 360 GLT

  • @matthewc.419
    @matthewc.419 2 роки тому

    I had a 340 1.4litre the dizzy cap was at the front of the engine so een it rained it got wet
    I was constantly losing the backend me think the tyres was shot to be fair!!
    It did look after me though and experiencing rear wheel drive at 17 was good
    Lad at college had his mrs glt 2.0 litre .....went like smoke he wrapped it rnd a tree eventually

  • @Kenny_P_abz
    @Kenny_P_abz 3 роки тому +1

    Think this is the same engine as in the Renault 9 and 11. It was good there too.

    • @TheDronne
      @TheDronne 3 роки тому

      B20engine/2.0 litre Renault Cleon-Fonte engine.

  • @Struwex
    @Struwex 3 роки тому +1

    My mom had this beauty but sadly crashed it

  • @humfyb2544
    @humfyb2544 Рік тому

    But 340 360 are certainly very rare nowadays.

  • @jmurray01
    @jmurray01 3 роки тому

    The indicator stalk is a terrible design and failed on mine too, snapping off totally!! Thankfully epoxy is holding it for the time being and may even be stronger as any used replacement parts will be just as weak.

  • @peterjanvanbijnen226
    @peterjanvanbijnen226 3 роки тому

    it had several top quality like an mercedes but the 340 never rusted

  • @Michel-r6m
    @Michel-r6m Місяць тому

    2:27 😮

  • @jamieogorman9461
    @jamieogorman9461 4 роки тому +1

    My stepdad owned a well used one, truly awful. It was like a brick on wheels but colder 😂.

  • @danmccarthy4700
    @danmccarthy4700 2 роки тому +1

    A small Volvo... a "Smolvo".

  • @ciaranburke3243
    @ciaranburke3243 4 роки тому +1

    Owened two back in the a 1.4 and 1.7

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  4 роки тому

      Which did you prefer?

    • @ciaranburke3243
      @ciaranburke3243 4 роки тому

      @@ClassicsWorldUK the 88 1.4 seemed better sorted

    • @ClassicsWorldUK
      @ClassicsWorldUK  4 роки тому

      This 1.4 certainly seemed a sweet engine, but having driven our Renault 21 with the 1.7, I'd be interested to try the bigger engine in the Volvo -Joe

    • @ciaranburke3243
      @ciaranburke3243 4 роки тому

      @@ClassicsWorldUK mabye it was my 1.7 , I didn't drive as well as the 1.4

    • @Hammer0165
      @Hammer0165 4 роки тому +1

      @@ciaranburke3243 I used to own and daily drive a 1.4 for a few years, which was very reliable and surprisingly lively, but a bit lacking in power at highway speeds. Drove my cousin's 1.7 a few times and I was actually dissapointed. It had a bit more power and torque (although not as nicely low-down as the 1.4) but somehow felt more sluggish. It certainly lacked the character of the 1.4. Now I daily drive a 360 GLT and that truly shows the full potential of the 300 series chassis. The big boost in power and torque from the proper Volvo 2L redblock (with LE Jetronic injection) makes it much quicker, even to the point that it's very comfortable to cruise at very illegal speeds. The heavier engine makes it a bit hard to park if it doesn't have power steering (and very few do have it) but the slightly revised geometry of the front suspension does make the steering a bit more direct. Combine that with the lower ride hight, beefy front and rear anti-sway bars and firmer shock absorbers of the GLT and it truly is a very nice drivers' car. It sticks to the road and thanks to it's almost perfect weight distribution it is extremely predictable in the corners.

  • @mattrawlingsmatt
    @mattrawlingsmatt 3 роки тому

    Used to pdi them new when I worked at a dealer in late 80's. The glt with the volvo engine was ok but a 340 with the belt cvt transmision. Awful.

  • @gabrielv.4358
    @gabrielv.4358 Рік тому

    SO SAD that they destroyed the old volvos... sad!. AT least they should have saved one to museum

    • @andyb3666
      @andyb3666 4 місяці тому

      There is one in the Daf museum in the Netherlands though I don’t know if it’s one of those iffy quality ones 😂

  • @nickjarvis8811
    @nickjarvis8811 4 роки тому +1

    Had a 360 glt mighty xr3 had nothing on this car

  • @cambs0181
    @cambs0181 2 роки тому

    It's not a real Volvo, but then again we haven't had a real vauxhall since the 1970s.

  • @FPfreddyyy
    @FPfreddyyy 2 роки тому

    iiiyeah, but with the 2 litre volvo engine

  • @volvo340cars7
    @volvo340cars7 3 роки тому +1

    👍🚗💪

  • @volvo340cars7
    @volvo340cars7 3 роки тому +1

    🚗👍

  • @MeMe-np7sj
    @MeMe-np7sj 2 роки тому

    90

  • @julienbee3467
    @julienbee3467 4 роки тому

    It may be one of the ugliest cars ever 😮

    • @Populiervogel
      @Populiervogel 3 роки тому +1

      Had the same thoughts when I was young, now I wish a had one, it's a cult car like a Lada 2107.

  • @Victor-DOOM
    @Victor-DOOM 2 роки тому +1

    I love it