Should we buy a 1995 850 Turbo? Topic is solved

volvobuyer · Post by **volvobuyer** » 13 Feb 2005, 17:00

We are looking for a safe car for our teenage son - and are considering this 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo with 113K miles on it for about $4200. It looks well maintained but we may have to change the front tires, battery and get a wheel alignment.

We have never bought a volvo before....

Any thoughts? - Expensive to maintain? How many miles can we safely put on it? Is it reliable on the road? Are parts easy to order?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Feb 2005, 17:24

i bought my volvo 3 months ago and i love it...

its a 1994 850 turbo manual with 320 000km. drives like new.
engine doesnt take oil. power is there. spacious, confortable. fully equiped , made of steel. doesnt rust. wish i bought it way before .

parts arnt that expensive. and thats if something happens.

good luck

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Feb 2005, 18:31

*Begin My opinion*

Anyone who buys a turbo for a teenage boy is crazy. I remember how turbocharged my hormones were when I was a teenager, and I'm lucky I didn't kill anybody while driving. If I had had a 222-hp car, my past would have been negatively impacted -- I'm positive of it. I'm not a parent, but if/when I am, this is one thing my kid won't have.

*End My opinion*

Post by **dosbricks** » 13 Feb 2005, 19:53

Any car for sale with 100+k usually means it's because the owner does not want to put the $$$ into it to replace all the stuff that is worn out about that time, i.e. CV boots, struts, coolant hoses, plug wires, distributor cap, AC evaporator, etc. If all this was done to the car, then it is ready for the run to 200K.

By the way, Matt has a point, because 200+ aluminum turbo horses are not like those cast iron V8 nags under the hood of an american car.

Just another honest opinion. I'm not proud to admit I flipped a Shelby GT 500 when I was 21. It happened to have a roll bar or I would probably be dead. Yes, I was sober, but cars like that are for mature drivers.

glockyman · Post by **glockyman** » 13 Feb 2005, 19:55

Im 17, and I inherited my dad's '95 850 Turbo about a year ago. My opinion varies just a little bit from matthew's. I love the 850. Easy to maintain, one of the safest cars on the road, and they last forever. My 850 has 172 thousand on it, and its going just fine. Parts can be a little pricey depending on where you live, but thats the way it is for most euro cars.

As for whether your kid can handle a turbo, that's up to you. Try to judge (objectively)for yourself whether you think he's a safe driver. Talking to his friends about his driving after he's been behind the wheel for a while is a good idea too. And if you don't trust him, get one of those devices that will alert you if his car goes over a certain speed. I think they have those out now, though maybe I was just reading the up-and-coming tech. section of Popular Mechanics. Or as a third option, just get an 850 GLT.

My votes for the 850 Turbo though.

volvobuyer · Post by **volvobuyer** » 13 Feb 2005, 20:51

Thanks all of you for your honest opinions and prompt replies. We have looked at several other options and here's what it boils down to ...

We prefer
a. 4 door sedans over Pick-ups, SUVs, sporty looking hatchbacks
b. Older cars over newer flashy models

c. Metal over flimsy fiberglass ( for safety)
d. Low budget to keep the insurance premiums down!

... Other than the possibility of his outrageous driving (which is possible in any other car), if 95-850 gets good marks from all of you..... we just may consider it seriously. Hopefully the continuous safety talk has made him cautius driver.

And Mathew, I'll be on your website to get more tips!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Feb 2005, 22:42

I got my 97 turbo at 16 and that was in 2000. I'm 20 now and still have it. Mine had a lot less miles and came from the dealer so it had an extended warranty which did help out in 1 situation.

Overall, the turbo is gonna be a bit pricier to maintain than the glt. The glt has a slightly better ride as well with smaller wheels. Premiums would probably be cheaper with a glt also since it isn't the full turbo. Anyway I think it's a great car, it's a bit more unique than what most of the kids drive.

As for the cost, my 850 depreciated quickly, so that might be a sunk cost along with the maintenance. As opposed to an accord/camry. The premiums for those will run higher though. So I probably didn't help up with this post, but I will end with buy the car!... ha

Mr. Norm · Post by **Mr. Norm** » 14 Feb 2005, 07:48

matthew1 wrote:*Begin My opinion*

Anyone who buys a turbo for a teenage boy is crazy. I remember how turbocharged my hormones were when I was a teenager, and I'm lucky I didn't kill anybody while driving. If I had had a 222-hp car, my past would have been negatively impacted -- I'm positive of it. I'm not a parent, but if/when I am, this is one thing my kid won't have.

*End My opinion*

Amen. Get him an NA version.

volvobuyer · Post by **volvobuyer** » 14 Feb 2005, 08:06

What is an NA version?

Post by **dosbricks** » 14 Feb 2005, 08:27

NA: Normally aspirated. That is a non turbo 168HP. Still has plenty of power to be safe and lower insurance premiums.

By the way, on the subject of turbos, any turbo will require more maintenance than an NA. Low pressure turbos (190HP) more than high pressure because the high pressure turbos are intercooled and don't get toasted as easily. The latter are suited for "enthusiast" drivers though, because they produce 222 or 250HP.