So, I have a 1995 Volvo 940 with 206,656 miles on it. The car is in excellent condition considering it's age. I'm not all that educated on cars but I know a few things here and there. This will be my very first car that I've owned. I always hear that Volvos last forever...especially older ones. My question is HOW LONG can I expect my Volvo to last with regular oil changes, belt changes, transmission flushes and so on?

 

there's plenty of 300K+ cars out there where the P/Os did regular maintenance. The car already has 200K so the question becomes how well maintained was it up until now (any damage is done, fluid changes won't undo that). If you have the maintenance history, that's great. Otherwise, I'd start by doing some preventative stuff. 1) check when the timing belt was last done. the 940 is not an interference engine like the 850s and related FWD/AWDs, but its a good routine. 2) check the condition of the PCV system. If they clog they can create oil leaks. 3) do a stage 0 ignition tune up (cap, rotor, wires, plugs). go OEM or copper core plugs - older Volvos don't run better on the more expensive plugs (platinum/iridium etc) that were designed for hotter coils. 3) check the transmission fluid - black? ugh. brownish? drain/fill , redish brown? somebody already serviced the car... 4) Brakes/parking brake shoes all good? You will have regular repairs to do - after all its still a 23 year old car. Take time to read up on your car - plenty of insight on the board and keep up with the maintenance - you bought one of most maintainable cars ever produced. No reason to think (short of northern rust) you can't keep it going for a good long time.

 

The cars can last forever, or at least until the body rusts away. I've now owned 3 740's and 1 940 as daily and all cars went due to me wanting more luxury (first was a bare 740 diesel), the body rusted out on me (badly repaired sil on a car with 700k km on it) or someone totalled it (last 740 with 386 km on it). Don't know about the automatic transmissions, but the manuals are pretty rock-solid. The M47 has an overdrive that can act up. (relay fails or the OD itself)

As long as the issue is technical, you can keep it on the road. When you can weld, the body shouldn't be a problem either. (until someone totals it for you ) I haven't written of any Volvo yet due to technical issues.

 

Congrats, I had a 94 with cloth seats. Man were they comfortable, they felt like they were custom made just for me. The 940 is easy to work on also, rmeuropean website had every part I needed for a good price too. Enjoy

 

Hi all.. I am rizal from Malaysia.

8

 

Victor:

One of the (many) reasons I continue to buy Volvos is there long lasting reputation... and reputation for lasting long! ;-) I have had one go 410K, one 300K and own two, now, that are 2001's with 363K and 240K on them. Yes, after many years, some things do need to be replaced, like an A/C compressor, but for the most part, general maintenance of oil changes, flushes, tirs, rotors and the like and they keep on going, without necessarily sending you to the bank all the time!

Best thing to do is find out if there i someone in your area that works on Volvo's, but is private (not a dealer) who will be more reasonable about pricing and not trying to "sell you up to a newer car". Also, there are some things that are best to used genuine Volvo parts (alternators, compressors and the like), while others (tail pips, clamps, hoses and belts) that can be replaced with third-paty/after market comparables. A private guy will be cool about that!

Good luck and welcome to the club!