Buying advice on a 960 straight-6 24V ?

My 740 is getting on in years and there's a newer, shinier and very
cheap 960 for sale locally.

What's to look at? I assume the straight-6 engine is a good piece of
kit (in the way that the old V-6 never was!), but I want to keep my
past brick-like reliability more than I'm looking for extra
performance. Anything I should know about?

What's the back end like? Anything to check around the rear
suspension? I can't wait to see a fibreglass rear leafspring! What's
all that about then?


Thanks

 

Andy,

I have a '95 960 sedan that I bought at 45k miles and now has 130k
miles. Here are my thoughts. There are many more sub-systems to go
wrong with this car than my previous Volvo's (244 DL, 245 GLT, 740
Turbo, & 940 Turbo). It was intended to be an "executive" (as Volvo
puts it) sedan and as such is a comfortable ride. However not many of
them were made, so finding parts can be a bit harder than other Volvo's
(there are also less aftermarket & discount suppliers with parts for the
960).

As for the independent rear suspension, it uses self-leveling shocks
that are pricey to replace.

As for reliability, my car has been good. I go through brake rotors
every 25k miles, but nothing else out of the ordinary. I have also
replaced the stereo, the main fuel pump, the cat, the rear shocks, all
of the suspension bushings, the alternator, and the power steering pump.

Having said that, I love my 960. It has only stranded me once (when the
fuel pump failed) in over 85k miles.

Spencer