possibly buying 850, is it expensive to repair? Topic is solved

ian · Post by **ian** » 20 Jun 2003, 04:33

I'm looking at a 1996 850 in top condition, or a 940 instead. What's the difference between the 850 and 940 in terms of repair costs? I can't really afford big $1000 repairs if anything happens to the engine. I've had a 940 and can fix some things on the 940 myself, and the garage prices aren't too bad. I haven't had an 850, it seems more hi-tech than the older ones so are repairs a lot more expensive? Especially if I will be running it over 100k miles?
Thanks for any help.

iLLuZi0n · Post by **iLLuZi0n** » 20 Jun 2003, 10:05

I have had my 850 Turbo for just under 3 weeks, and so far we have put about 750 dollars into it. Not a lot is wrong with it, that is just how much it costs to take the car to the dealer for the 90k, 110k, 130k mile checkups (600 about). They do a full check of the car, and anything that isn't working right, they will fix. They told me that my left CV Boot was broken, so that would be 200 bucks

and that I also needed a new battery. I got a new battery for just over a hunderd bucks from Sears (Die Hard: International). If you get the car serviced when it is supposed to be, your car will not need any major maintnace, unless you have a turbo... Turbo units from the factory are 1,500 dollars, (the guy at the dealer told me as I bought my car) so if it goes out on me, UPGRADE TIME!!!

Do you have a particular 850 picked out, if so, is it a GLT, Turbo, or just 850? Other specs and prices. Is it from a dealer or private owner? If private owner, GET THE CAR CHECKED OUT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!!

I guess that's all I have to say on this topic at the moment, so good luck and Welcome to the board.

AutoX47 · Post by **AutoX47** » 20 Jun 2003, 10:17

if its from a non-volvo dealer GET THE CAR CHECKED OUT!

my volvo 850 turbo turns out was in a collision that wasn't on the carfax records and I am replacing my radiator & intercooler today because the asshole glued them together when they cracked & the glue popped off @ high boost

iLLuZi0n · Post by **iLLuZi0n** » 20 Jun 2003, 11:00

If it isn't a Volvo dealer (dealer, but not Volvo specifically), GET IT CHECKED OUT!!! I was looking at a car before I got mine, it was another '95 850 Turbo with 112k Miles. It was dark blue, had a MAJOR ding in the trunk lid (place your head to the right of your license plate, yep, that big). We took it for a test drive, the steering wheel wouldn't stop shaking. We had the car checked out, let's say LEMON ON STEROIDS!!! Needed: New Transmision, New Drivetrain, New Tires, New Brakes... The car had also been in MULTIPLE major accidents (setting off airbags). There was severe body damage done to the car (frame that is).

I was so mad when I found this out, but then I found my current car in a used car magazine, so I went and test drove it, then payed for it in CASH the next day!

ian · Post by **ian** » 21 Jun 2003, 09:54

It's from a main dealer with warranty. In the best condition you'd find a second hand car, and it's non-turbo.

Thanks for your help

Post by **matthew1** » 21 Jun 2003, 11:20

Sorry ian, you sound like you have everything lined up and your mind is decided, but I must throw my $.02 in here --

The 850 is no Honda. Therefore, it must make up for the lack of bulletproof reliability (in my mind) with something else. This something else is power and safety.

The power of the high pressure turbo models is really stunning. Every so often when the temperature and humidity is just right (the inline 5 turbo seems to be affected more by these than other engines I've experienced) the car just sings.

50mph to 80mph goes by in a few seconds.

And then there's the safety -- we all know you're one up on most every other driver if you're in an 850 or other new-ish Volvo.

So that brings me to my point -- if my 850 was NA, normally-aspirated, ie: non-turbo, there'd really be something missing. My 'get' column wouldn't be as tall as my 'give.' And I'm not alone -- you'll see the occasional post about from an NA 850 owner asking how to get more power from his car.

Often they'll ask if they can put a turbo on the engine (sure, but it's better to sell the car and buy a turbo 850). Or can they swap engines from a wrecked turbo (same). Or should they get an IPD chip and exhaust, which would be good for 20-25 hp (expensive; little gain).

So there you have it -- my take on NA 850s. Sorry if this messes up your plans for the lovely 850 you have your eye on. But remember, the key to getting a good used car is patience.

iLLuZi0n · Post by **iLLuZi0n** » 21 Jun 2003, 14:40

so true, i had looked for my car forever, but they were all 10g+, and that was out of my range. i found a great looking car (in the ad) and then it was a crapmobile on wheels (which needed to be replaced

) i then found my car, 8g listed price, and got it down to 7100 out the door with tax and licensing paid by dealer (from a volvo dealer)

2 good things to keep in mind when buying a car (new/used):

-Patience (mentioned by Matt)
-Haggle!!! (you always have to keep in mind that they can sell it for less, find any minor imperfection and show them, tell them that will cost a little to fix, and then bring the grand total of the car down)

AutoX47 · Post by **AutoX47** » 21 Jun 2003, 16:44

You wont necissarily be unimpressed by a N/A, just if you are gonna get a naturally aspirated volvo make sure to get a manual

. Just because it doesn't have the strait acceleration as the turbos doesn't mean you cant make it handle better than them. I've heard mixed opinions on which is more reliable

iLLuZi0n · Post by **iLLuZi0n** » 21 Jun 2003, 23:37

i remember i had the option when i was buying my car to get a 93 glt (white) stick, or 95 turbo (green) auto, so i went with the turbo, cause automatics aint bad! sticks are just more fun

ian · Post by **ian** » 22 Jun 2003, 04:12

Thanks for your replies.

I'm not really interested in speed at all, when I head toward the city I can only go as fast as the car in front. My present car is modified, but now I'd like something safe for long distance drives, comfortable inside (because I spend time inside my car, not looking at the outside), looks ok, and won't cost a fortune to run.

My other option was to wait for a 940. I don't mind auto or manual. Since I started driving into the city, auto would save changing gear a lot.

I'm totally 50/50 on 940 and 850, I like them both. The thing is, if 850 has some expensive suspension or big repair costs, like 1000's when I could be spending on better things, then I'd go for a 940. I suppose the 850 is a more modern safer car and better handling.