Trip Reports
All Volvo models and years accepted
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Date: August 28, 2003
Route: Phoenix to California (city not specified) (round trip) Distance: 376 miles Efficiency: 25.6 mpg outbound, 24.8 mpg total Avg. Speed: 84 mph Notes: I recently purchased a 94 850 turbo sedan, at a low cost of $1500. After installing a transmission I was ready to check out it's cruising capabilities. I travel to California from Arizona about once a month. The trip is 376 miles long and having a car that can hold it's own should be fun. I started out of Phoenix at about 6 pm on Friday August 28. I drove reasonably since there were more cars than usual. By the time I hit Buckeye which is 50 miles away the cars trip computer was showing 29.3 MPG average (yes I reset it before I left). The trip was good in spite of the traffic. I had a chance to get on it and found 100 mph was an easy task. I did notice one thing, the car had a vibration at speeds above 85. I thought it must be the tires, but as I played with it I found the vibration would go away if I let off the gas a little of a downhill, like as if to check my speed, then the car would ride like glass even at 90mph. I think it the transmission, like maybe the torque converter isn't balanced. The car averaged 25.6 MPG, and I easily made it on one tank. The trip back was a little more exciting since there was little traffic. Going through Palm Springs with a big wind at my back, and A/C off, I saw 125 mph. Later in the trip I ran up on a guy in a newer Camero SS. We rolled on at 85 mph, and I have to say knowing how fast an SS is, my little 850 ran side by side until 100, at which point he slowly pulled away. I saw 135mph and the car was so smooth the vibration not even being noticed. And yes it was still pulling. I made it home in 4.5 hours. The trip computer showed 24.8 mpg, at an average speed of 84 mph. I also own a S90, so I was not all that surprised about the comfort on the trip, but this car just continues to impress me with it's ability to put a smile on my face. It was as quiet at speed as the S90, and it gets better gas mileage than my old Honda. --Brian P |
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Date: August 22, 2003
Route: Virginia to Vermont and back Distance: 110 miles Efficiency: 25+ mpg Avg. Speed: no data Notes: On Friday, at 11 am, we bought a '96 850 wagon for my daughter, 2 hours north of our home in VA. We bought this 110000 mile car and left for Vermont at noon. A bold move, but it was after all, a Volvo. We learned about the car as we drove. We marveled at the smoothness of the ride and the tightness of the car. The engine hummed along from 60-90 mph as needed. We loved the responsiveness of the steering. I read a couple of reviews I had printed out and the manual as we drove along. We got over 25mpg and with a few stops arrived in Vermont at 1am. No backaches!!! We were in Vermont Saturday and then drove back home on Sunday...left at 11 am in Putney, Vermont and arrived home at 12:30 am...stiff but once again no backaches!! In 3 days we put 1100+ miles on this car. Amazing car...I am totally convinced that it is a great car. The only issues we had were the hatch started falling down and there was a chirping sound, like a belt noise when you turn to the right. I am off this week to a mechanic to see if his trained ears can tell me whats wrong. --Mary Lou |
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Date: June 8, 2003
Route: Seattle to Port Angeles to Olympic Peninsula to Olympia to Seattle Distance: 420 miles Efficiency: 29.0 mpg Avg. Speed: 42 mph Notes: PING! My driver's door check strap weld broke, arg [Weeks later, it would be a $100 fix at an indy Volvo garage]. We saw amazing vistas, quiet towns while experiencing great fuel economy and the usual good handling. We started our 2-day journey with an $18 ferry ride to Bremerton, which saved quite a bit of driving. From there it was on to the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport Washington, a completely spontaneous decision, but a good one. In the background of this photo of my Volvo 850 is the Trieste, which my research indicates dove to the greatest depth by any submarine ever. From there it was on to Port Townsend for lunch, Port Angeles for the night, and around the Olympic Peninsula and back home the next day. Lot's of fun! --Matt |
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Date: May 4, 2003
Route: Seattle, Washington to Spokane, Washington (round trip) Distance: 600 miles Efficiency: 23.6 mpg Avg. Speed: 58 mph Notes: 50 of the 600 miles spent driving around Spokane at city speeds, mostly under 35mph. Roof rack with expedition 'basket' was in place for the duration of the trip. Off Topic: I'm convinced that my poor milage encountered during city use (not on this trip - just everyday use in Seattle) is due to the very steep hills combined with stop and go conditions in Seattle. --Matt |
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Date: January 17, 2003
Route: Seattle, Washington to Lake Wenatchee (round trip) Distance: 250 miles Efficiency: 25.0 mpg Avg. Speed: 42 mph Notes: Cold. Volvo performed fine, no complaints. ABS was busy on snowy roads. Need new low-beam bulbs; mine now are original and do a poor job of lighting the road. --Matt |
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Date: November 27, 2002
Route: Seattle, Washington to Spokane, Washington (round trip) Distance: 571 miles Efficiency: 25.1 mpg Avg. Speed: 69 mph Notes: Engine temperature needle was low all drive. I think my thermostat may have failed (open). I've got a replacement, just need to flush coolant and replace t-stat. one of these days. --Matt |
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Date: July 3, 2002
Route: Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon (round trip) Distance: 350 miles Efficiency: 29.1 mpg (!) Avg. Speed: 69 mph Notes: 55 mph to 80 acceleration is amazing. Factory stereo AM reception is awful in town, in country, everywhere. --Matt |