[peter773]

Hello everyone,

First off, I would like to thank you guys for helping me decide what kind of used volvo to go for. As suggested I am now looking exclusively at the rwd models. While I would love a nice 240, craigslist people overprice the hell out of them so ive been checking out the 700 and 900 series instead. I am having a hard time finding major differences between the two. They are selling for roughly the same amount in good condition. Are there any differences between the two that I should know about (college student, cant afford expensive repairs)?

[Lucif3r]

As far as 740 goes they vary a lot depending on make year. I'd say the "best" 740 is a 1989 or later.
If you're living in an area prone to rust similar to sweden, you'd probably want to get a late -88(aka "88B") or early 89. They have arguable the best rust protection. Avoid earlier models, as they have little to no protection. This goes for 240 as well.

940 is basically a refined 740. They use the same platform, and pretty much everything that fits a 740(in terms of spare parts) fits a 940 as well.
"Later" models of 940, that is mid-1995 and later, all have a turbo engine with either 134hk(B230FK) or 165hk(B230FT). Theyre the same engine, just different boost.
940 1992 and later is also "safer" than 740, as they more often than not come with airbags and reinforcements in the doors. Around 1995 they also got SIPS airbags in the chairs. ABS is also standard. Later models of 740 also have ABS and airbags, but not as standard if i remember correctly.

So, whether you should get a 740 or 940 is pretty much down to personal preference and the individual car. They are, after all, at least 22 years old.
I personally prefer 940 over 740, they feel a bit more "modern" and "refined".