Volvo 340 1.4 GL 5d (1981/X) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Can't complain too much, since I only paid £100 for it...
Costs
Volvo parts and servicing is expensive, so go to factors. 300 series getting scarce in breakers. Insurance is cheap. Expect 27-30mpg.
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On the road
Driving
Mediocre at best. Agricultural suspension rolls a lot in corners and doesn't inspire confidence. Car feels balanced, though, being RWD with the engine up front and the gearbox between the rear wheels giving near perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Performance
Puny 1.4 Renault engine is underpowered in heavy 345 - more suited to the little Renault 5, from which it derived. 0-60 is glacial, with 80mph top. Doesn't like more than 60mph, though, and feels stressed at motorway speeds. Fine around town and lanes.
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Living with it
Reliability
Gearbox, chassis, running gear and interior are all typically Volvo and pretty solid. The car is let down by the engine, which is too stressed to be reliable. Not a happy marriage.
Image
What image? Pipe, slippers and trilby hat are required before driving. Other road users will automatically hate you and you will feel the urge to drive at 50mph in the middle lane of the motorway towing a caravan (if it had the guts to do so)...
Comfort
Seats are really quite comfortable - rather like a mid-70's armchair. No frills here, though - the dash is clear and everything is to hand, but ergonomics were as yet unheard of in late-70's Volvo styling studios.
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Security and Service
Security
Abysmal locks, which will open if you sneeze on them. Fortunately, societies lower life-forms favour more exotic machinery. Don't bother with an alarm, just park it next to an Escort and leave it unlocked. The Escort will go, not the Volvo!
Service
Never used a dealer as the prices put me off. They weren't that interested in parts for a 22 year old car, anyway...
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Hopeless. Watch for fuel and oil pump seals. If the fuel pump goes, the engine will dump all its oil on the road without telling you until it is too late. If you have to have a 300, go for the later 1.7.
Other
Overall, these are cars for people who don't like or care about driving. Uninspired, unloved and best forgotton, which is a shame because Volvo can do so much better.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes