Volvo salesman's story - true or false?
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Volvo salesman's story - true or false?
I joined this site to offer help on the Nivomat conversion kit, and I've been spending hours and hours reading ever since. I really like this place better than any other Volvo forum I've seen, because the people seem respectful, but easygoing. I'm really glad I found this place.
When my wife and I decided to trade in our '87 240 "battle wagon" in '94, we test-drove a '92 940 wagon (two years old, at the time), but it felt rather "flimsy," so we were just about to leave when the General Manager of the dealership came over to talk. We told him we were just married and wanted to take a cross-country trip for our honeymoon.
He showed us his personal '92 960 wagon, and said that particular model was custom-made in Gotenborg as an "incentive" for top salesmen in the US, and that only 40 or so had been produced. He said the engine (240 HP), transmission and suspension were designed by Porsche.
Unfortunately for him, my lovely bride is from Scotland and is an absolute master when it comes to negotiating prices. SCARY good
. MSRP at the time (1994) was $35k for a NEW loaded non-turbo 960 wagon, he was asking $22k for a two-year-old with 35k miles, and we drove it off the lot a half-hour later for $12k + trade-in for the 240. He was actually angry, but polite.
It's been a dream car ever since.
We took his stories with a huge grain of salt, but I've always wondered if it might be true. Does anybody know for sure about the incentive thing, or the connection to Porsche, or were those just sales-gibberish? The more we've learned about the incredible integrity of just about every Volvo dealer or mechanic we've dealt with over the years, the more I'm inclined to believe it, but it would be nice to know for sure.
When my wife and I decided to trade in our '87 240 "battle wagon" in '94, we test-drove a '92 940 wagon (two years old, at the time), but it felt rather "flimsy," so we were just about to leave when the General Manager of the dealership came over to talk. We told him we were just married and wanted to take a cross-country trip for our honeymoon.
He showed us his personal '92 960 wagon, and said that particular model was custom-made in Gotenborg as an "incentive" for top salesmen in the US, and that only 40 or so had been produced. He said the engine (240 HP), transmission and suspension were designed by Porsche.
Unfortunately for him, my lovely bride is from Scotland and is an absolute master when it comes to negotiating prices. SCARY good
. MSRP at the time (1994) was $35k for a NEW loaded non-turbo 960 wagon, he was asking $22k for a two-year-old with 35k miles, and we drove it off the lot a half-hour later for $12k + trade-in for the 240. He was actually angry, but polite. It's been a dream car ever since.
We took his stories with a huge grain of salt, but I've always wondered if it might be true. Does anybody know for sure about the incentive thing, or the connection to Porsche, or were those just sales-gibberish? The more we've learned about the incredible integrity of just about every Volvo dealer or mechanic we've dealt with over the years, the more I'm inclined to believe it, but it would be nice to know for sure.
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From: Miami, FL
Here is an excerpt saying that some motors were designed by VW... So it could be, cause VW-Audi-Porche share a parent co.
He may have gotten some info and stretched it a little
in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminum 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, often referred to as "white block" in the Volvo community due to its bare aluminum block. Max power was 204 PS (150 kW) at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS/107 kW at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760.[4] The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of the DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (190/200 PS, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes. Certain markets also received the 2.3 litre turbo 'Redblock' four, with 165 PS (121 kW) and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or 122 PS (85 or 90 kW)
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From: Albuquerque, NM
The front of the motor should have a sticker on it. The sticker will have the motor specs, like B5234T. That will let you know what size the motor is. Is it turbo? I didn't know they sent 960 wagons to the US in 1992. Are you in the US?
Last edited by rspi; Mar 20, 2011 at 01:49 PM. Reason: ADDITION
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Here is a Press Release from Volvo for 1992:
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...release_1.html
Other Press Releases:
1992 Volvo Press Release: VOLVO '92: NEW MODEL, NEW ENGINE AND A UNIQUE SAFETY INNOVATION HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: SIPS: A UNIQUE SAFETY SOLUTION FROM VOLVO HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: 1992 VOLVOS PRICED FOR VALUE HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: VOLVO 1992 TECH AND SPEC HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: THE VOLVO 960: IT SHOUTS INCONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: NEW SIX-CYLINDER POWERS VOLVO 960 HTML
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...release_1.html
Other Press Releases:
1992 Volvo Press Release: VOLVO '92: NEW MODEL, NEW ENGINE AND A UNIQUE SAFETY INNOVATION HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: SIPS: A UNIQUE SAFETY SOLUTION FROM VOLVO HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: 1992 VOLVOS PRICED FOR VALUE HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: VOLVO 1992 TECH AND SPEC HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: THE VOLVO 960: IT SHOUTS INCONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION HTML
1992 Volvo Press Release: NEW SIX-CYLINDER POWERS VOLVO 960 HTML
Last edited by rspi; Mar 31, 2011 at 05:24 PM. Reason: edit
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Hey Rispy (am I pronouncing that correctly?), thanks for the great links. I looked for the plate on the front of the engine, and all I can find is where the plate obviously used to be. Does anyone know if I can get the info using the VIN? (It's definitely not a turbo.)
Through research, I found that there were many instances of Volvo partnering with Porsche/Volkswagen. The 850 T-5R is virtually a Porsche with a Volvo body, in fact. At this point, since I've had the car for 17 years it's almost trivial as to whether it was designed or made by Porsche or anyone else, I still absolutely adore that car. I wouldn't trade it for anything, especially now that I'm invisible to young women.
I really appreciate all the help I've received. You folks are the best.
Through research, I found that there were many instances of Volvo partnering with Porsche/Volkswagen. The 850 T-5R is virtually a Porsche with a Volvo body, in fact. At this point, since I've had the car for 17 years it's almost trivial as to whether it was designed or made by Porsche or anyone else, I still absolutely adore that car. I wouldn't trade it for anything, especially now that I'm invisible to young women.
I really appreciate all the help I've received. You folks are the best.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Hey Ed, no, it's RSpi. Anywho, you can get the engine model from the VIN. You can go here to decode it.
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...C/vin1992.html
Or try this: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...960_wagon.html
The thing is, if it was a rare trim, they may not have posted any information on it, like the Boyd Fusse car. The best thing to do is take it to the track and run the 1/4 mile. I did it once in NC and it only cost me $10 and was a LOT OF FUN.
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...C/vin1992.html
Or try this: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...960_wagon.html
The thing is, if it was a rare trim, they may not have posted any information on it, like the Boyd Fusse car. The best thing to do is take it to the track and run the 1/4 mile. I did it once in NC and it only cost me $10 and was a LOT OF FUN.
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