1994 960 sedan: experiences and opinions??

We've got a 1993 wagon, and it's served the family quite well... If you want to use it in winter, then get good snow tires on steel rims for it, it needs them - fairly powerful rear drive car.

Some sources say 1994 has the updated engine, some say 1995... We have the older 201hp engine with more top end power, there was also a 181hp engine, which felt basically the same, due to more useable torque in the low-mid range (i've never driven one, but I would imagine in a straight line the

201hp engine is the faster car... but who takes a Volvo... a stock Volvo... to the track anyways, it's a plenty fast car for the highway tho). Our 201hp engine doesn't have a torque deficiancy we can see, it tows our 2000lb trailer quite well.

As far as reliability, we've never been stranded, or seen the check engine light... Just wear and tear/age items. New radiator was this year.... we need a new A/C evap unit, it's had a rear caliper replaced due to a leak, new brake pads only once (at 108K Kms), new oil pan (someone stripped our thread), new struts for the liftgate, 2 sets of front headlamps, completely new exhaust system, from the catalytic converter, back... Got larger pipes, I believe from a Turbo car, as well as a nicer exhaust tip.... That's about it... as far as I know.

Right now, all it needs is a new radio, and the A/C to be fixed. Don't know how the radio died, most likely cold solder joints I can't trace down, or a blown tuner chip... A/C has an evaporator problem, that is apparantly not common on the 960's.

Thanks. I drove the car on a longer highway run tonight while relocating it for the mechanic's inspection. Excellent interstate runner....feels rock solid...

Rob Guenther wrote:

Oh yah, incredible highway cars

Even if there are a few things to take care of on it, it's still probably a good buy. Things fail on these cars, it seems mainly due to age, they aren't the cheapest cars to fix, but they're not bad. I find I get better value servicing this car then my Volkswagen - which was $31K (with tax) new in

1999, whereas you have to remember the 960 was a $40K+ (w/o tax) car back in 1993 (CND funds)... And the parts quality seems to be higher, for not much more, and sometimes less money for basically the same thing.

Tho, the VW is a diesel and makes up for its high maintenance costs in fuel savings... The Volvo is quite a bit costlier at the pump... Around 12L per

I have done some work on my '93 960 estate and can say that I really like the car. With new strut cartridges, rear shocks, ball joints, and the rear control arm front cone bushings I did all the work) it handles like a sports car. Comfortable and fun to drive. Be sure to verify when the timing belt was changed! This is an interference engine and losing a timing belt has the potential for destroying the motor. The '94 updated the timing belt (over the '93 which was updated after the '92). from Randy & Valerie __ __ \ \ / / \ \/ / \__/olvo 1993 960 Estate

Thanks. I assume the timing belt is the same as the crankshaft belt: ther is a big sticker on the motor saying: "crankshaft belt service interval: 50,000 miles" (or something similar...the car isn't avaialable for me to look at the moment) ???

Timing belt is the critical item on this engine. About $350 to have replaced and about $4000 worth of damage if it fails...you do the math. My '97 960 id in the shop for about $2000 worth of work right now. Expensive to fix but a road car unequaled IMHO. Mine has just over 200K miles now. I used to drive BMWs (still have a 633 CSI w/ five speed manual for weekends) but the 960 drives well, is comfortable and is a tank in an accident.

Yah, they call it a Cambelt or Camshaft belt.