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August 18, 2020 3:31 pm by

1988 Volvo 740 GLE with Manual Gearbox

For August 18, 2020, our used car find is this 1988 Volvo 740 GLE sedan with 79k miles and a manual gearbox. It’s listed on Autotrader in the Buffalo area for $4300.

Here’s what makes this one special.

Introduction

Introduced in 1982, the Volvo 700 series was intended to be a replacement for the iconic 200 series, though the enduring popularity of the latter meant the two models were actually sold side by side into the early 1990s.

While it may lack some of the charm of the 200 series, the 700 builds upon its predecessor’s strengths in terms of durability and practicality while also offering improvements like better driving dynamics, improved rustproofing, and a more upscale interior.

At launch, the top-of-the-line offering was the V6-equipped 760. However, the 740, which debuted in 1984, is the more desirable version these days. It puts Volvo’s venerable “redblock” four-cylinder engine under the hood, a mill that enjoys a far better reputation for reliability and longevity than the PRV V6, which was shared with Renault and Peugeot.

The Listing

The example offered here is fitted with a 2.3-liter naturally aspirated version of the redblock engine, which generates a humble 114 hp. While not as powerful as turbo-equipped variants, it does benefit from being dead simple to work on.

Also on the plus side here, it’s paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, a somewhat rare choice for buyers of upscale luxury vehicles in the 1980s. That should help to make the most of its relatively meager thrust.

This car boasts a single-owner history with full service records from new. Its original cloth interior and handsome blue paint both present quite beautifully, so it’s clear that it was garaged when not in use. The seller also claims a rust-free undercarriage, which is probably worth verifying since this car has lived its entire life in the Snow Belt.

The asking price of $4300 seems quite fair for a 740 as clean as this one, especially one with a manual gearbox. It’s a remarkably low barrier to entry for a car that will likely last another 20 years with ease.

Details and Specs

  • 1988 Volvo 740 GLE sedan
  • 79k miles
  • 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder engine (114 hp)
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • blue exterior on charcoal cloth
  • for sale by owner for $4300
  • Clarence, New York
  • YV1FX8841J3286429

 

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