Volvo 1989 780, learn me

These cars any good? RWD coupe.. looks clean. The way it looks speaks to me.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/5490592421.html

They're pretty similar to the other RWD Volvos of the era, but nicer. The 780 Turbo is a common B230FT redblock. Easy enough to get some power out of it.

The 780 is a pretty nice, comfy car. Doesn't drive badly either. I've only driven B280F (updated PRV V6) powered ones though. I've driven B230FT powered 740s and 760s though, and can say the turbo 4 is definitely much rougher and less refined. It's like the difference between a BMW V12 and a 1950s tractor engine.

Mechanically the same as the Volvo Sedans of the era but be very aware that zero body panels are interchangeable. Though not looking that different, not the same headlights, tail lights, grill, bumpers, etc. Some of those parts are now hard to come by.

I think they look great with a classic shape. This one is a good color combination. They offered a two toned interior as well that looks a bit dated. I would say this one looks nice but I would not say that it is cheap.

Though the comment above seems to favor the V6, I have always heard that the 4 cyl turbo was the more stout and more reliable of the two versions offered

JohnRW1621 wrote: Though the comment above seems to favor the V6, I have always heard that the 4 cyl turbo was the more stout and more reliable of the two versions offered

You're right that the 4 cyl is a somewhat beefier engine. Easier to work on, a bit less finicky and more durable. But the V6 isn't a bad engine by any means and is much more refined. And the V6 doesn't share all the issues the early PRV V6s had.

rslifkin wrote: I've driven B230FT powered 740s and 760s though, and can say the turbo 4 is definitely much rougher and less refined. It's like the difference between a BMW V12 and a 1950s tractor engine.

It seems frighteningly obvious you've never owned a V6 Volvo for very long.

The turbo 4 is a massive improvement over the B280 in every way except low end torque. The 4 you drove must have been terribly broken if you thought it was worse.

Comments about body parts being unavailable are pretty darn accurate, too.

Nice car, though.

Streetwiseguy wrote:

rslifkin wrote: I've driven B230FT powered 740s and 760s though, and can say the turbo 4 is definitely much rougher and less refined. It's like the difference between a BMW V12 and a 1950s tractor engine.

It seems frighteningly obvious you've never owned a V6 Volvo for very long. The turbo 4 is a massive improvement over the B280 in every way except low end torque. The 4 you drove must have been terribly broken if you thought it was worse. Comments about body parts being unavailable are pretty darn accurate, too. Nice car, though.

The turbo 4 does have more power. And no, I haven't owned either. But I've spent a good bit of time working on and driving a friend's set of older Volvos. And for a while, he had a 760 turbo, 740 turbo and 780 V6 at the same time (760 and 780 were both stock, 740 had a bigger turbo, boost turned up, etc.)

The B280 powered car was definitely more refined and had a nicer power curve to drive. The turbo B230s were more fun, but smooth was not their thing.

These coupes run forever when fitted with the red block, as this one is. The PRV was indeed decades better in refinement, but much worse in reliability.

They make very capable highway cruiser GTs - the seats are very comfortable, the ride is smooth and quiet (for the time), and they get decent MPGs while being able to move out of their way relatively well.

Unfortunately interior plastics are pretty brittle, and sometimes road squeaks can be an issue.

If that's as nice as it looks in photos its a pretty good deal.

I remember thinking when these came out, "I wonder if Bertone gave us any headroom in these?" 262C Bertone equals chopped top and thicker seat bases. From Fiat steering wheel positions I know Italians descended from a different branch of the family tree, but really...

One thing nobody else has brought up: the later ones ('89-included I believe) have Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension and the correct replacement shocks are hideously expensive. IPD sells a kit to convert to traditional shocks but the springs they include are all wrong, IIRC

Otherwise they are the best looking of the 80's Volvos aside from the 480, in my opinion, and I wouldn't turn down a nice one.

Great cars! I own an 88. 87 had the stick axle and PRV, 88 (still PRV) received the MK1 IRS + nivomat, 89 added the redblock w/ turbo+, 90-91 dropped the PRV and redesigned turbo+, 91 had a name change to Coupe and larger front sway bar along with added rear sway and locking diff. All that is from memory so I may have a few things backwards.

Since they were built in limited numbers (~8500), body and interior parts are hard to come by. If you do find it, it will not be cheap.

Surprisingly, they rust; rear side windows, in door jambs, and leading edge of the roof. The reason is sunroof drain locations and lack of keeping them clear of obstructions. Mine suffers from all of that

Other than that, the switch gear and underpinnings are pure 760. The PRV (B280F), while a slug at only 145hp, is smooth, torquey (173), and fairly fuel efficient. Good oil and no overheating will make it run nearly forever. However, the redblock is were it's at!!

Thats a boat load of money for an old volvo, clean but not 5k clean. It being an 89 it could have the "weak as al dente noodles" 9mm rods or the "stong as al dente noodles" 13mm rods. These b230's are the low friction versions of the stout old redblocks. If you want to get down with more boost and such keep it below 250ish whp and your fine. Ive really enjoyed my volvos, ive had 3 redblocks (all turboed) in the past couple years. I had a 740 that I enjoyed but cant say ive driven a 780. Its the same damn thing just with longer doors and as everyone else said most of the parts (interior and exterior only) do not interchange with others. Mechanicals are simple and easy to junkyard parts to replace E36 M3 or make more power. Fyi my girlfriends volvo 240 has the 9mm rods and pushing 220whp all gravy. Im dailying a b21ft 240.

Well it seems it's on Bring a Trailer now.

Pretty sure a writer from BaT trolls these boards. I've seen more than a couple cars found here, then posted there a couple days later.