I've decided to sell my 1986 Volvo 740 which is not an easy decision for me, as this is at the top of the 4 best cars I've ever had, and is certainly the best Volvo 740 Turbo Diesel I've ever seen. I would revise to say the car is to me very nice and one of the 4 best cars I've ever had. I looked at it in comparison to a 1985, which is a much lesser vehicle, and realize what I am giving up, even had a neighbor interested. My history with it--I bought it in 2010 (have papers as well; I know myself to be the third owner) to replace parents' 1985 740 Turbo Diesel, which I'd known since that year, and tracked it to a Chicago dealership, where I went by Amtrak to see it. It had 77,941 miles then, and has since reached 146,734 miles which is the highest mileage I've ever achieved on one of these. I drove it back from Chicago, and it has been everywhere from Erie, Pa, to South Carolina, since, and once loaned it to a sibling for 6 months. It is my daily use car, and more than replaces both of its predecessors. The vehicle functions and operates well.
These were rare cars in their own time, and even rarer, today. 1986 was the last year these 740 Turbo Diesels were imported here, making this model the last one, and is an improvement on all the 1982-85 740/760 Turbo Diesels. If you wanted a new Volvo 740 Turbo Diesel after 1986, you were importing it, yourself. The car is heavier (even the hood trunk, and doors are heavier, firmer than 1985) than even other 740 TD's (4,120 pds--and it feels heavier than even the 4,180 pd 1985 model it replaces), has a stronger, sturdier body, suspension, the body is wider, and higher than other 740s, and is subtly, but definitely different from earlier models. It predates air bags, but given Volvo's reputation for safety, they probably weren't necessary, here. Today, I compared it against 85, and again saw its superiority. The final 1986 model is of sturdier physical and mechanical construction, its engine sounds better, does not shake or vibrate, and even the paint is better. On appearance, one would think one 740 is the same as the next, but this one is an an improvement on the prior year's model, which feels delicate by comparison. And the very basic improvement this 1986 740 has over the 1985-earlier models is in the engine, itself--this '86 D24T engine has 12-14 cylinder head bolts to the 1985's 10, which means a stronger, more secure head gasket. No head leaks at all in this 1986.
It has a sturdy blue cloth interior, no tears, a covered dash (came in the car when I bought it), a dual cup holder armrest, powered and heated mirrors, 2-way heated seats, power 2-way power sunroof, radio with equalizer speakers, a/c, (purchased new compressor, included) designed for fog lights, alarm, fuel shut-off (which I've never used), built-in block heater, which was very useful in cold weather (it is from Chicago!), and push button start, which is also useful in cold, as well as anti-theft deterrent. In 6 years and 69,000 miles, I have never needed any brake work, (the brakes outlasted tires!) it has had the timing belts replaced. Has a new battery, the starter, alternator and glow plugs have been repaired after 30 years. Has a plastic battery tray. The car handles in snow pretty well, which was uncommon for these rear wheel drive 80's Volvos because it has '1,' '2,' and the most useful '3' gear, which is what makes its good snow handling possible. Compared to the 1990 Volvo 740, which had only '1' and '2' speeds, slid, skidded, and handled poorly in snow, this one does not slide, slip, or skid in bad weather, and is the best Volvo for snow driving I have ever seen. Again, this is automatic, not manual transmission.
I have made some custom improvements, as well. To prevent rust, I caulked the front and back windows with 35 year rated caulk, and I removed the front carpets, and 'upper coated' the floors with rubberized body undercoat [and of course put the carpet back in] the under padding is replaced with strong water repellent oil sheeting. This way, even if water penetrated the windows not possible, now, it would not corrode the floors. I also upper coated the inside of the trunk and wheel wells, and caulked the trunk, engine, and body weather moldings. 6 years later, there is no rust on the car, and though there never was, I credit my rust protection for preserving it.
I rely on this car more than any other, so it loss would be great. Its also a great, fun, pleasure to drive--the turbo charger, the first feature to attract me, works perfectly, gives very good power, is audible at all speeds and all times, which is one of my favorite features, and what I'd miss most. These engines were originally used in trucks, and this engine has a truck-like feel and sound to it, as the turbo charger sounds like that in an over-the-road truck; no engine vibrations at all. Another thing I appreciate and will miss about this car is the perfection of the doors and door jambs, where there is NO rust. This section looks new, and is the opposite of the old 1985's doors/jambs, which rusted out & through. This is something about the car that I've always been aware of, but never fully appreciated, until now. Its predecessor had 23 years of Ziebart treatment, which included drilling holes into the door jambs, filling them with undercoat, and closing them with plastic caps. But that Ziebart treatment proved to be the WORST thing to do to that car, because it promoted rust by breaching the paint and metal, exposing them to the elements. From the photos of this car's doors/jambs, you can see this destructive treatment was never done. These parts are perfection, clean and look new interior still smells as it did 6 years ago; there isn't even dirt or grease in the hinges.
This is a 30 year old used car, and is not perfect, but I've made a great investment in it over 6 years, and it will continue serve anyone else as well as its served me. At 146,834 miles, and with many essential parts replaced, as well as retaining many original ones, its not even halfway through its life expectancy. I'd have no concern driving it anywhere, and would choose to drive this over the one I'm keeping. I tried to add video of it running, but the system prevented, somehow.
As this is a 30 year old car for private sale, I cannot offer any warranties, of any kind. I signed such a statement when I bought it at 24 from that Chicago dealership 6 years ago.
$4000 or best offer. Serious inquires, able buyers, only, please.
12/14/16--I'm getting contacts from the Paypal schemers--those who 'are away/out of town but want the address to send shipper to pick up the car, and pay with Paypal.' I'm aware of this scam, which is in the Paypal textbook, so please do not contact me with this.
Serious, able buyers, only.