IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Classic Volvo 340 (Volvo 300 series)
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- čas přidán 28. 12. 2019
- Ooohh, an 80s Volvo!
Today's video includes but is not limited to:
Volvo 340,
Volvo 343
Volvo 345
Volvo 300 series
Volvo 340 road test,
Volvo 340 test drive,
Volvo 340 review,
DAF 77
80s volvo,
1980s volvo,
Classic volvo
Retro volvo,
Classic volvo test,
Old volvo test,
Classic volvo review,
Classic volvo road test,
Rare car review,
Rare car road test,
Volvo 340 starting up,
Volvo 340 driving,
Classic car review,
Classic car road test,
Swedish classic car,
Voiture ancienne,
Voiture classique,
Car girl,
Retro car review
Driving classic car - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I'm reminded of that old 1987 advert where a crash test dummy drives it off a building from the second floor.
"Tested by dummies, driven by the intelligent."
I remember that add too 😂👍
I’m actually saving £600 to buy a 1988 Volvo 340 Gl from a lovely elderly couple in my local village!
I’m only 15 but there’s somthing about beautiful classics that I love, when I do get it, I’m gonna keep it completely standard! No changes whatsoever!
The one I’m buying needs a bit of work but it does run and it’s sounds soo good!
How did you go ? Did you get it ?
I had 360 GLT back when I was 19. Such a nice car to drive. It felt pretty quick then
Another great review Steph. Always liked these cars. My first Volvo was a 340. You forgot the choke!
80's cars are classic's now. I love them because it's from my era.
Keyser Soze I think almost all old cars go through the 'banger no one wants to own stage'. Keep them long enough, maintain them and they eventually increase in value 😎. I do wonder if this will still hold true on modern cars with their inbuilt computers and planned obsolescence. Also will the big push to move away from fossil fuel change this too!?
80s cars are still retro or modern classic really, true classic cars are typically mot and tax exempt, so early 80s cars are getting close. Though personally I dont believe cars automatically become classic because of age alone, I think style and desirability come into it, to a small extent. For example my brother had a 68 mini cooper S, it's a very desirable car and without a doubt a classic. But cars like the austin elegro, which had a bad reputation and was even hated by its designer harris mann, I'm not sure if they really count, surely a classic car should also be something widley desirable as well. Everyone has a different idea of what makes a car classic though, I don't know if there is a universal rule, I guess going by heritage status (tax/MOT exemption) is a more technical way to go about it, I guess it depends who you talk to.
@@wals-1 modern cars lack character, I doubt they will ever be appreciated beyond their years. They offer no connection to the road. Maybe the fast fords like the ST might get there, but I cant see the standard models getting anywhere.
My first ever Volvo was a 360 GL - it's why I still drive Volvo's today! Lovely video
I used to get a lift to school quite often in a Volvo 340 GL. I loved the sound of the B14 it had.
Recently bought a 1989 340GL and have no regrets! Love a classic Volvo.
Heated seat pads, relay and switch are readily available, as are automatic headlights and wiper modules, to give you modern conveniences in your classic car.
I've owned 10 cars in 27 years, and had one of these for the longest time. Owned for over 7 years and took the mileage from 64000 to 140000, twenty years since I sold it and I still have fond memories. Great car and much underrated.
Dear sir
Please , what are the common problems in this car.
Thanks a lot
Great review... i learned to drive and passed my driving test in one of those way back in 1991.
I love that car! Thank you for making a review on it ❤️
Love your videos..we were lucky enough to have hubnut to stay with us a few times on his NZ roadie..you guys and gals are the bomb..stay safe out there 🤩🚗
My first Volvo was a 340 in 1997, fell in love with it, my Volvo journey had began, 2 440`s and 6 V40` my life is now complete.
Loved this video.
What a fantastic video Steph can't believe I have missed this one.
Car made by ex coleminers as a social project after closing down the mines. Here in the south of the Netherlands. Solid like a rock what would you expect 😁 nice video again
Happy new year, Steph! Yes, us oldies would consider the Volvo 340 pretty much a modern car but, if it's keeping a young mum on the road in 2019, that's all to the good. Great review, and congratulations on your new job.
Wow! I had a 340 GL A reg (with the funny auto box) followed by a 360 GLE saloon D reg, I loved both those Volvos, great video, Happy New Year x
Best friend in this world......if u don’t drive this car ...u lost more....my father bought one in 85 from london when i was 6 and i still drive it and full of love ....volvo is the greatest thing made by human.
Great video! :) My mum had a 340 DL; first car I drove after I passed my test. Lovely memories.
Jess has a lovely Volvo there. What a great example in terrific nick. Great review, many thanks Steph.
These weren't my favourite at the time, because they reminded me of the old Dafs, but this one is in tip top condition and I was very impressed with the functional and high quality interior. The car was quiet and I generally like the sound of the Renault engines. All in all a great video and well presented. Thank you.
i love your reviews and also it's nice to still see them on the roads and any body driving them i love my retro rides me
Great review Steph and what a lovely Volvo they were so underrated
Escpecially the 300 series
We owned two of these in the 90s and they were great cars - particularly if you were looking for something solid and safe for transporting young children. Used to do some long journeys on holidays and they were always 100% reliable. Sadly both were written off in accidents (not caused by us!) but they did their job in protecting the occupants. Eventually got an 850 estate which was also brilliant and also owned a couple of 240s. Incredible that you hardly ever see a 340 on the road anymore considering how well built they were. Great review - really entertaining and informative.
This is the car that I grew up in as a kid. Brings back memories! Really. A lot of nostalgia. Loved this car when I was a young kid. 😊
Great to see you review the 340 - always been a Volvo fan and picked a 340 up last year as a weekend car - nice to go back to a simpler time of motoring where I can fix things without a laptop and the driving experience requires a bit more engagement than just sitting there. I enjoy the journey in the 340 as much as the getting there whereas my modern cars are just a way to get to the destination even though they do it more efficiently. Next years plan - road trip to LeMans.
love your videos steph keep them coming
Just discovered your videos and really enjoying them! You give really excellent context about cars and their time. In the US I don't think we had these officially, but I did see one in a scrapyard last year. I was in college for 6 mos in Denmark in 1990 and there were a few of these about and I always found them intriguing, like forbidden fruit (to the US), as well as the 400 series (esp. the 480).
Agreed. Anyone who takes the jump into classic car ownership deserves admiration and we need younger people to keep cars on the road
I had such trouble driving a right hand drive when I was in the UK. Not the driving mind you. Trying to fool around with the radio with my left hand.
Good work Steph. I really enjoy your videos. They are common street cars but we don’t see them in the USA. The cars you review are real, with scratches and dirty carpet. I just love what you do. 👍😝
Great stuff Steph.
My family owned plenty of these over the years. Good solid cars.
Happy New Year Steph! Really love your channel! I learned to drive in the 1970s here in Canada, driving our 197 Sunbeam Rapier four speed (Alpine GT here). Then passed the diving test with a 1972 Cortina GT four speed. I love British classics. If you ever get to Canada, try to come in September and see "British Car Day" hosted by the Toronto Triumph Club. Nearly one thousand cars can be seen on the same day!
Thanks for the great review. I daily drive a 360 (2-liter Volvo-redblock) and in the garage is a yellow '79 343 (a non-variomatic, 4-speed manual). They're great underrated car. Comfortable, reliable and solidly build. Keep those 300-series driving!
A very good history of the car. Great video!
Ah York Road to Seacroft Estate remember it well.That Volvo it's like new always thought much better than a Ford Escort the bum warmers and a powerful heaters for cold winters ideal !
Cracking vid keep them coming. Happy new year.
I applaud you for what were pretty-much another generation’s cars...we loved them at the time, and I love that our children might find them somehow cool, too!
Kinda like Vespas and Lambrettas for us parents...glad to see your enthusiasm for simpler eras!
You have my sympathy Steph having had that horrid Christmas cold and chesty cough for a few weeks. I'm pleased you were still able to take on the A64 though to bring us another great video.
I knew two people who had these cars when I was a kid back in the 80s. A school friends dad who was an engineer had one identical to the car in the video while my primary school headteacher had a green three door.
If the Escort and Astra were for the working classes then the Volvo was definitely the middle class equivalent. Both Renault and Volvo created some great cars through there alliance of the 80s and 90s which included sharing of a number of engines including this 1721cc unit.
Hello Steph, Thanks, never seen a car like this one. Where never sold here in South Africa. Great little car with a interesting history. Happy new year!
I’m a huge Volvo nut too, this is a fab video! The Volvo scene is big here, in Europe and America too. We are doing a world record attempt in June 2020 at Bruntingthorpe too.
I had the cold air vents on my three 740s. 340’s are very collectible now - Old Skool cool is getting very popular! Its great seeing Volvos on the channel too! The CVT models are pretty mad but great fun. Lovely video as always Steph!
Great review of a bullet proof car. Love Volvo's as a driver of a V50 R-Design Sport!!
Volvo IS the responsible adult at a wild party!! 🍹🍸🍾
Lovely stuff as always
I've owned tons of Volvos and Saabs. I've never liked the 340 though ...until today. Another fantastic review of a lovely car.
Lovely car
and Happy New Year.
My mum's first car was a beige 340 DL, remember the orange/brown interior and great seats! Kept it from the mid eighties till will into the nineties. Dad bought a 360 gle saloon after his (very unreliable) Renault 18 estate died when we were on holiday. Was quick but very heavy steering and clutch... Like driving a tank! Was a tough car though, we had it from late 1980s until mid 2000's. Thanks Steph, brought back some nice memories!
Always liked the 340 it has a nice shape.
My parents owned the 1.4 340 in the 80s lasted years and gave them very little trouble.
Nice one Steph.
Beautiful example of a great Volvo! Hope to get my hands on a 360 GLT soon, most likely a resto! Great vid, from Aus!
I remember my uncle having one of these in the 80s and 90s!
My first car grey 340 gl with heated seats on a J plate. Purchased for 100 pounds. Lovely motor, fondly remember the choke and RWD spins out on a corner. I made the driveshaft come out a few times and my best mates dad always fixed it for free, fun car, built like a tank.. Lots of love Jugga.
For a daily driver this is in great condition! Most have been driven into the ground by now. There’s were weird looking cars but very safe for the time and and damn near bulletproof. I had one for a couple of years when I was a teenager and it had a bent valve and I kept driving it like that for the entire time I had the car, it just kept going!
Love the review. Takes me back - my first car was a 1984 340 GL. Nice car, but a bit dodgy in the wet because rear heavy and rear wheel drive, I spun it a couple of times. It had ‘Automatic‘ heated seats which never worked until one trip when my dad borrowed it to go to Heathrow and the seats came on and wouldn’t go off! He got rather warm! 😂
I recently bought a 340 GLS from 1985. Volvo 2 litre engine, and the 5 speed M47. 62000 miles.
How refreshing to see an accurate review of these cars, the history is often missed or totally wrong, here we have the correct provenance. It is a pity it is not Variomatic like the original, but hey ho the manual was still a fine car. I may be biased because I drive a Variomatic DAF :-)
I own an Volvo 343 and it has such a distinguish sound when u hear that variomatic whistle. Quick acceleration from the traffic lights.
I do like the 343 more than the 340 it has much better suspension and a more classic look. I don't have the early model with the Daf interior
I used to get a lift from a guy who had a 340 with Variomatic transmission. I don't know whether it was badly out of adjustment, but it had very poor acceleration with horrendous lag between the driver pressing the accelerator and the car *finally* starting to increase speed, seemingly several centuries later. Until then, the engine went faster and faster, and the transmission selected a lower and lower ratio, so the car kept at a constant speed. Eventually the transmission would start to change up and the car would accelerate. It was all that was bad about an automatic: that the position of the accelerator pedal had very little direcet and immediate effect on the acceleration or speed of the car. I'm not a fan of any automatic car: I find they are too inclined to change down at the slightest provocation, when in a manual I would stay in the same gear and just apply more power.
@@Mortimer50145 Possibly a vacuum leak by the sounds of it, or maybe a leaking diaphragm? The Vario is very quick off the mark, but gets a bit lazy after 50mph. They do seem a bit "revvy" compared to an Auto, but the RPM is set to hold at the optimum speed for engine efficiency.
Brings back memories (showing my age) as I nearly bought one. Spotted a 2nd hand 340 (also in red) many years ago, asked the dealer for the keys and I absolutely loved it. Why I didn't buy it I'll never know. Instead I stupidly bought a Ford Escort 1.4 which turned out to be one of my least favourite cars. Happy New Year, Steph.
These used to be everywhere [when they ditched the CVT anyway] It's years since I saw one on the road! It's hard to believe such a well made car has all but vanished!
They discontinued CVT just one year before end of production in 1990
Scrappage scheme would have got rid of a lot
Might be a parts issue..... I kept my old one for years after the prop shaft went, hoping to find a replacement, but failed. Other than that it didn't ever really break down completely, it'd always limp home and was very easily bodged!
When insanity crept into the car manufacturing industry.
I started my "Swedish car career" with a 360 GLT saloon, until a kind young hooligan in a Peugeot 106 drove into it and wrote it off. (Subsequently had a 240 GL estate and a 940 GLE saloon. Now driving a Saab 93). A work colleague had a 345 GL at the same time. We were always the ones who made it to work in bad weather, while others were stranded. Now I'm coming up for retirement I'd happily have a 340 if I could find a good one.
I have discovered your channel recently. Nice personna and review
I love these old Volvo's, I would love to see more. As always, epic video
That 340 has survived well for its' age. Back in the day they were a common sight,especially if you needed to get a move on and got stuck behind one going at about 37mph on a main road! I suppose it was the Honda Jazz of the time. Thanks for making these videos.
Lovely video. Enjoyed it.
My dad had a blue 340 saloon reg number D818NET it was a 1.7 GLE, they made a 360 saloon which I think might have been higher powered. My dad’s car felt really heavy and that small engine struggled to pull the car along, maybe a 2.0 would have been better for the cars weight. He scrapped the car as it would cut out at 70 MPH motorway speeds, the dealers couldn’t remedy the problem. I always remembered that it would tell you to change up to the next gear when doing 70 and in 5TH, the car only had 5 gears. It was a DAF cast off and built in the Nederland’s unlike the bigger 240 and 740 that were built in Sweden.
I had a similar spec in "wheelie bin grey". This one looks much nicer and is clearly well looked after. It's great that these and similar cars are now appreciated by the younger drivers as classics. Still a bargain today too!
I loved this car my friend had one
I've been driving since the late 60's, owned many cars, for the last 15 years I've had a 340, best car I've ever owned. Over 200,000 Miles on the clock. Hardly needs anything. One point is the rubber petrol pipes at the rear of the car, there are several, and they become porous after several decades, let air in and starting becomes more difficult. The car in tested by Steph may need the pipes replacing.
I had a 340GLE 1.7 in silver with grey interior trim 5 door. 5 speed manual with tilt and slide sunroof. Electric front windows and central locking and heated front seats. I bought the tail spoiler.Worked for a volvo dealer.Sips. (Side impact protection system) very safe and solid.
I had a dark blue manual Volvo 340 GL back in the early 1990s very comfortable safe and strong well made car and I loved the heated seats.Interesting enough it had very good weight distribution as it had a rear transaxle arrangement like a Porsche 928 had this was due to the fact that it was originally designed to take the DAF variomatic transmitting as you mentioned
These are quite pleasing to the eye, compared to other box-like Volvos - probably because of the Daf origins. That's the second time I've mentioned Daf on your channel today (Daf trucks are built by Leyland now). As for that old has-been Clarkson, we've moved on since Top Gear, as you know! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 It's good to see another young lady getting involved with classic cars! 👍🏻
Must have missed this one at the time . I had a 340 which I bought after a Golf . It was a corker ......refined , great heater for Scottish winter , comfy for my longer trips and easily maintained . Had it for five years and foolishly traded for a Hyundai Pony which was so poor !!!!!!! Great Video .
Great cars back in the day. My late sister had a 360GLT 2.0 followed by a 340DL 1.4 - both bulletproof reliable cars. 🚗
My first car was a volvo 360 glt such an amazing car , had it for 5 years so reliable
A car like the Volvo 340 here is ideal for a mother with a young child because not only does it have the big sized boot that you get with a hatchback making it ideal for carrying all those bits and pieces but you also have the rigidity and the safety aspect that Volvo are famous for.
My parents had a 3 door 343 DL initially before we went to live abroad when it was given to my Mum's sister.
As things turned out our time living abroad was cut short and we returned to the UK in December 1987. In January 1988 my Dad purchased a Volvo 360 GLS 5-door much like the one you are looking at here.
I had a Volvo 360 GLE 1.7 (5 door saloon version) in a light green. Drove from Harrogate to Inverness for a boating holiday, best car for a long run, it's built like a tank and you do feel safe in it. That led to a 440, a 460 and two S40's all brilliant cars.
Love them and this looks smart on mk 1 360GLT alloys and the later GLT boot spoiler
Love this my dad had one when i was a kid, but they shared Reno engines not Peugeot as far as I can remember..
340's are great cars! Never had one but everyone i knew that did said they were brilliant!
Everyone's got a cold now. We sound like you Tixy lix!
Covid
My dad used to tease my aunty bout this car. She had the same model, she broke it and ended up with a Fiesta 1.1 popular XD. My dad used to say "how do you break the unbreakable?" great review steph. Its in great condition.
Love modern classic volvos that 340 looks mint
My first company car was a Volvo 340. 1.4. 3 door. Very comfortable seats. Heavy steering like unbelievably heavy. Great paintwork. Grey. Flat grey. 13” wheels punctures every week. Liked it for some reason.
I had three of them, (345, 340 and a 360) and rattled up high mileages on all of them. Very reliable. The 360 was something of a 'Sleeper!' I once parked next to Chris Rea at Hilton Services M6, he drove one too! Happy Days!
Great looking car.A credit to it's owner.
I haven't seen one of these for years !
A mate of mine used to have a 345GLT with the 1.7 litre engine and fuel injection. I drove it a few times and was suprised at how good it was. it was a respectably quick car and the handling was predictable. Comfy too. It felt well planted and stable on the road.
The review car is superbly clean and solid, even disregarding the fact it's a daily driver!
The GLT has the big 2 litre engine from the large Volvo's of the time 😊
Nice video as always. I remember this Volvo well Keep the videos coming
Sad how Sweden could not to volco
Solid car! My dads first car actually and I’m looking for my own next year for mine! Just hope they don’t boom in popularity and prices go sky high for the few hundred that are left...
I've had my 1984 340 5dr for 6 years now. I love it.
Had two of these, great cars. Something must have rubbed off on my son, he now owns two of these.
Stunning car hard to believe it is a daily. Always fond of these especially the Turbo which a friend of mine owned.
In 1988 I was 9 and being ferried about in a VW Polo C no radio no anything. A Volvo 480 had been on the cards but as Dad had BMW's Mum ended up going German. 480 is a must for a review.
I very nearly bough one of these in the mid-80's, but got a Renault 11 instead! :-O
I still like the shape and style of them though! :-)
Anyway, a very Happy New Year to you Steph! I hope you're soon back to fighting fitness! :-)
I love these cars I had a GL hatch back in late 80's which I took to over 150k and then a 360 gls. Then a saloon which was rear ended by a truck. Which was put back on the road. Then I went to the 740's.
These are proper volvo Geeks, well done.
I inherited a 1984 360GLS from my late aunt, in 1987, and it was our only car until 2004! It was built like a tank, it never rusted, and hardly anything ever went wrong with it. It sipped its 4 star frugally, given the size of the engine, giving 30 - 35 mpg. Once 4* disappeared, the mpg got better, as we had to drive more carefully, to stop pinking. Eventually, the seam on the fuel tank started leaking, which put it beyond economic repair.
Great video. I think your spot on with your description of who this car was aimed at. Someone who wanted a second car but would probably turn their nose up at a escort or a Astra. it seemed that you only ever saw these bumbling about rural villages by middle class, middle aged women
I have the same engine in my Renault 19.
One thing I miss on newer old Volvos is the foot well vents. In the 1970/80s Volvos had vents that took air directly from the outside (ie not through the fan) down in the foot wells, kind of like a poor mans air condition. It worked really well to keep the temperature down on hot days when traveling at higher speeds. For some reason they took them away in the later part of the 1980s.
About underperforming heater systems in older cars: you have to flush and clean the heater / cooling system from time to time for it to perform the best and pure water will not be enough after 30-40-50 years. You do have to clean it out properly with maschine was tabs or the like. That can make wonders to an old heating system.
That's the A64 near leeds. The red bus cafe gives it away.
These cars were so clever. Engine at the front and gearbox at the back.
I thought ‘hold on, new video was miles away!’ But yeah this was Leeds x
History will one day repeat itself
Lmao..."heated seats....errrr what's going on here?"...reminded me of the first time I sat in a car with heated seats - I didn't know - thought I'd wet meself!!! 😂 Happy new year to you Steph 😄
I remember driving the booted version back in the day,was one of my managers cars and my overiding recollection of it was it took miles to warm up with the choke!I also remember it was quite difficult to get the back end out!We also had the 440/460's on our fleet which was vastly more modern to drive....The older car felt better screwed together though.
Very comfortable and great fun in the wet, even the 1.4. The 360 is like a muscle car.
Very nice.........my first ever volvo was a 340 1.4 - B591LSA .....Bulletproof.......I then went for a 1.7 as in the clip........then a gorgeous 480 in paris blue (my favourite).....after then 2 x 850 estates,s80,v70.......and now a v40 D4...........VOLVO FOR LIFE.
Great video.