Volvo 360

[jg]

How come you never hear of Volvo 360's? I have seen a couple advertised
(360GLT), seem comparitively quite cheap for what I call a better quality
car, as in fact do other Volvos with a few years on the clock. Various Volvo
forums don't even have a section for them... are they dogs or didn't they
make many?

 

[P.M.A. Melissen]

How come you never hear of Volvo 360's? I have seen a couple advertised
(360GLT), seem comparitively quite cheap for what I call a better quality
car, as in fact do other Volvos with a few years on the clock. Various Volvo
forums don't even have a section for them... are they dogs or didn't they
make many?

I had a Volvo 360 GL injection (built 1986) (Hatchback), taken over from my
father who bought it new then. They were built only a few years (1983-1988).
It had a 2Ltr engine with injection. It was a nice car, not very fast, but
very reliable and a good familycar. No powerwheelsteering. I myself drove it
from 1995 till 2003, then I bought myself a Volvo 940SE (2.0 Ltr Turbo).
They were manufactured in the Netherlands, and most sold in Holland, Belgium
an UK. They are now cheap to buy overhere (Holland). Overall I never had
many problems with the car and the engine (a real Volvo engine and never
gave me problems). They were replaced by the 440/460-series. The model was
not "cool", but who cares when you have little children and you need to
travel from A to B. So.........., they were not dogs. The most luxurious of
them all was the 360 GLT.
It's up to you if you prefere one or not. Never buy a 340!!!!!! That's a
real dog with a bad engine (1.7 Renault).
regards
Peter

 

[jg]

I had a Volvo 360 GL injection (built 1986) (Hatchback), taken over from my
father who bought it new then. They were built only a few years (1983-1988).
It had a 2Ltr engine with injection. It was a nice car, not very fast, but
very reliable and a good familycar. No powerwheelsteering. I myself drove it
from 1995 till 2003, then I bought myself a Volvo 940SE (2.0 Ltr Turbo).
They were manufactured in the Netherlands, and most sold in Holland, Belgium
an UK. They are now cheap to buy overhere (Holland). Overall I never had
many problems with the car and the engine (a real Volvo engine and never
gave me problems). They were replaced by the 440/460-series. The model was
not "cool", but who cares when you have little children and you need to
travel from A to B. So.........., they were not dogs. The most luxurious of
them all was the 360 GLT.
It's up to you if you prefere one or not. Never buy a 340!!!!!! That's a
real dog with a bad engine (1.7 Renault).
regards
Peter

Thank you, I was wondering about one for my daughter. Did not even know the
440/460 was the next model - we don't see many small volvos in Australia.
Sometimes the less known cars go very cheap. I would agree with staying away
from anything Renault.

 

[Andrew Stephenson]

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running for 15 minutes after
switch-off. This (I was told) prevents carburettor overheating
and fuel bubbles, which complicate restarting if the engine has
not cooled sufficiently.

 

[jg]

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running for 15 minutes after
switch-off. This (I was told) prevents carburettor overheating
and fuel bubbles, which complicate restarting if the engine has
not cooled sufficiently.

....so for a short trip top the shop you could turn it off just as you left
home The handbrake would have to work better than mine, so you didn't
have to wait to park it in gear?

 

[Andrew Stephenson]

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running [...]

Rats. That should have read "...later version's radiator fan..."
I can see how my mistake might inspire witty remarks.

 

[Peter K L Milnes]

I think he meant the cooling fan. This is a common trait among French
engined cars and nothing to be unduly alarmed at. The best thing about the
Renault engines is that they are known as "wet-liner" engines.

Cheers, Peter.

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running for 15 minutes after
switch-off. This (I was told) prevents carburettor overheating
and fuel bubbles, which complicate restarting if the engine has
not cooled sufficiently.

...so for a short trip top the shop you could turn it off just as you left
home The handbrake would have to work better than mine, so you didn't
have to wait to park it in gear?

 

[jg]

Ah the fan, the Hyundais do that too. Their motors also run on when they get
old and the cat converter blocks up. It's not a bad idea, I sometimes let a
motor idle for a short while when it's very hot to relieve a bit of pressure
on the cooling system.

I think he meant the cooling fan. This is a common trait among French
engined cars and nothing to be unduly alarmed at. The best thing about the
Renault engines is that they are known as "wet-liner" engines.

Cheers, Peter.

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running for 15 minutes after
switch-off. This (I was told) prevents carburettor overheating
and fuel bubbles, which complicate restarting if the engine has
not cooled sufficiently.

...so for a short trip top the shop you could turn it off just as you left
home The handbrake would have to work better than mine, so you didn't
have to wait to park it in gear?

 

[Hamish Alker-Jones]

Thank you, I was wondering about one for my daughter. Did not even know the
440/460 was the next model - we don't see many small volvos in Australia.
Sometimes the less known cars go very cheap. I would agree with staying away
from anything Renault.

I was looking in my local library yesterday and they have a service manual
for the 300 series. Let me know if you need anything looked up.

Cheers

H

 

[jg]

I was looking in my local library yesterday and they have a service manual
for the 300 series. Let me know if you need anything looked up.

Thank you, I (my daughter that is) haven't bought one yet. Just wondered if
they were bad & everyone was trying to forget, but I got some good replies.
The hard part is overcoming the image kids here have of volvos... like the
Nissan Cedric.

 

[Tony Stanley]

The 360 is a brilliant car, in fact my all time favoutite. I just got my
sister one, with PS, leather seats etc, no rust, 80K for £200. However need
sun roof fixed and new alloy.

Usually very reliable, but thirsty maybe 30mpg if your lucky. Comparing to
400 or anything with the 1.7type engine, it is much more relaible, but
neglected 360s can be worse than very new 400 series.
With Engine and gearbox from the renounded 240, its pretty bomb proof.

Last made in 1989, hence not so many around.
Neglected cars can have alot of faults at 14 years+ old, most of which can
be fixed cheaply and easily. Very few if any serious problems occur that
mean major expense (if you know what you're doing)
Try to avoid factory sun roof, if you get one and its closed don't touch it.
Look for good sills

Scrap parts becomming more difficult to find now, although I would usually
buy new.

check http://www.volvospy.com/resources/300/overview.php

 

[Hamish Alker-Jones]

Thank you, I (my daughter that is) haven't bought one yet. Just wondered if
they were bad & everyone was trying to forget, but I got some good replies.
The hard part is overcoming the image kids here have of volvos... like the
Nissan Cedric.

I guess so. The Nissan Cedric('s) did have their/its own spot on Roy and
HG, so it has got some cred. So as you may have guessed, I'm in OZ too,
Border NSW and Victoria.

The suggestion that "If you get this car, I'll help with XYZ, but if you get
that car, you are on your own". Seems to be used on every generation of
offspring by parents with enough disposable income that don't necessarily
want it wasted. The children have the ultimate defence "My parents made
me".

Though, this didn't work with me. I got into motorcycles before getting a
car, and now I guess I have come full circle being a Volvo driver!!

Funny old world!

Cheers

H

 

[jg]

I guess so. The Nissan Cedric('s) did have their/its own spot on Roy and
HG, so it has got some cred. So as you may have guessed, I'm in OZ too,
Border NSW and Victoria.

The suggestion that "If you get this car, I'll help with XYZ, but if you get
that car, you are on your own". Seems to be used on every generation of
offspring by parents with enough disposable income that don't necessarily
want it wasted. The children have the ultimate defence "My parents made
me".

Though, this didn't work with me. I got into motorcycles before getting a
car, and now I guess I have come full circle being a Volvo driver!!

Ah I'm not pushing it too hard, but might try for something better than the
crap Magna the other girl bought. Was it Roy & HG who did the skit with
fleets of Cedrics with caravans sent out like squad cars to slow the
traffic? I'm in Perth, wondered whether others outside made the same
association with them as dork cars. I also remember from another comedy "I
need a getaway car - not a volvo". I reckon the image protects them from
being owned by hoons, the criteria for choosing an old car are often quite
different.

 

[Guest]

I think he meant the cooling fan. This is a common trait among French
engined cars and nothing to be unduly alarmed at. The best thing about the
Renault engines is that they are known as "wet-liner" engines.

I'd call that the worst thing!! lol.

The 1.7's are dry liner-ed anyhow.

Tim.

 

[andy coles]

Happy to stand and be corrected but I always believed that the 360 was
powered by a 2ltr Volvo engine. The 340 1.7 is a Renault engine and not a
bad little engine either, my Son's 340 has done 110k miles and is sweet.
Not sure about the 1.4 but think that is Renault also.

Andy

I think he meant the cooling fan. This is a common trait among French
engined cars and nothing to be unduly alarmed at. The best thing about the
Renault engines is that they are known as "wet-liner" engines.

Cheers, Peter.

[...] Did not even know the 440/460 was the next model - we
don't see many small volvos in Australia. [...]

FWIW, I have owned both versions of the 440. Both were/are nice
to drive, comfortable and have treated me well enough. The few
improvements made in the second version were good to have but not
what I'd call "essential" -- the possible exception being how the
later version's engine does not keep running for 15 minutes after
switch-off. This (I was told) prevents carburettor overheating
and fuel bubbles, which complicate restarting if the engine has
not cooled sufficiently.

...so for a short trip top the shop you could turn it off just as you
left
home The handbrake would have to work better than mine, so you didn't
have to wait to park it in gear?

 

[Peter K L Milnes]

There is a Volvo 360 owned by a VOC member which regularly makes Porsches
look sick on a race track and BMWs, even Ferraris. It should do, as it is a
very well sorted example, rebuilt for just this sort of thing.

Cheers, Peter.