850 or 240 wagon

wylie_snoop · Post by **wylie_snoop** » 03 Oct 2006, 12:59

I'm looking to buy a used volvo and I'm torn whether to get a 240 or a 850. I am nervous about getting a 240 because of it being +- 20 years old, but I hear they are extremely reliable. I'm also interested in a 850 because it has more of the luxuries and maybe alittle sportier, but I hear they are not very reliable and plagued with problems. Any insight on which would be a better investment. I would like this car to last and I am somewhat mechanically inclined so I would like to be able to work on the car myself as much as possible.

Thanks

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 03 Oct 2006, 13:13

I have both the volvo 850 and 240

PROS

850 its luxurious, sporty and fast and reliable and looks good for a older car. Great for roadtrips and the fold down seats make it flexible for carrying things. They are fairly dependable if you do the right maintenance
Front wheel drive makes it better in snow. These cars never seem to rust.

240 its a great car which never seems to fail, not the greatest on looks but the parts are easy to fix, find either new or old and are relativly cheap. These are very dependable cars and easy to fix.

CONS

850 can be expensive when you start purchasing things like O2 sensors and other parts.. but if you shop around you can get them cheaper.
I think its a more complex car to repair than the 240 and has more issues. The 850 can be pricey depending on the options but when compared to domestic cars..i think you will find it hard to find something as good as a volvo.

240 the biggest problem on these cars specially where we use lots of salt is ..rust..and i have lost a few to them. But the engines go forever. and most people report being able to sell them for as much as they purchased them used even after a few years use.

I think its all on personal taste... and how you intend to use the car. Funny how nobody says they want a 740?

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 03 Oct 2006, 22:58

I'd have to endorse Carvolvos comment 100%.

I also have two Volvo 7 seater station wagons, a '95 850 T5 and an '88 240 GL.

And while they are both Volvos, they are two entirely different cars.

The T5 is extremely comfortable, extremely well apointed, has reasonably firm suspension (however a vehicle of its performance capabilities needs a firm suspension), has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want and then some more and, in my opinion, still looks a smart vehicle.

Because the 850 is more of a thoroughbred, it can be more temperamental than the well behaved, extremely reliable and gracious old 240.

I tend to pamper the 850 with a strict service and maintenance schedule to the detriment of the 240, but the 240 never complains or gets her knickers in a knot, she just keeps continuing to fire up first time every time and happily gobbles up the highway kilometres without complaint.

But I really love driving the 850.

It will keep up with just about anything on the open road, has remarkable constant acceleration up too and way past the legal speed limit and corners like it is set on rails and on top of all this the 850 regularly averages about 28-29 m.p.g on both country/city driving.

Don't be put off by reading all the faults listed on the Volvo forum. The forum obviously is intended to meet a particular need and because of this is strongly skewed in a particular direction i.e. us Volvo owners only tend to contact the forum when something goes amiss with our cars.

I've seen very few posting actually praising the characteristics for which Volvos are world-famous, but common sense tells me there must be many satisfied Volvo owners as I so so many of them travelling around - and to be honest - I can't ever recall seeing a Volvo parked on the side of the road being roundly berated by it's driver because it had broken down.

But keep in mind, in your eagerness to become a Volvo owner, avoid like the plague being sucked in by a very persuasive snake oil salesman. I wouldn't consider a Volvo (or any other car for that matter) unless it had a 100% genuine comprehensive service history.

Go out, look around carefully and find yourself a good Volvo - you'll never regret it.

If you'd like to get a little bit of a buzz out of driving, then zero in on a T5.

Good luck - keep us posted.

cocka · Post by **cocka** » 04 Oct 2006, 00:36

I bought an 850 wagon earlier this year, if I could do it over I would go for a 740/940 wagon, much easier to service, work on , insure etc., parts cheaper and easier to get, but in the end it's your call.

DVolvoguy777 · Post by **DVolvoguy777** » 04 Oct 2006, 06:43

When the Volvo 850 came out it was my dream car more or less. ( there are tons of other cars I would like to have though) I have owned Volvo's from the 60's to the 90's. My favourate one was my 71 142E. That car was a sleeper. ( lost through divorce ) There is nothing wrong with the 240 at all other than it is a boxy looking car. Easy to maintain and the parts will fit from a 93 on a 75 and vic versa. Junk yards have tons of parts for these cars and you can keep one on the road for years.

850s are fun as heck cars to drive. Specially the high pressure turbo cars. I love my 855T5. It gives most cars hell on the FWY. Its fun to smack down a Camaro or a Mustang. But, FWD cars can be expensive to maintain and they do have their share of issues. If you decide on an 850 make sure the PCV system has been cleaned or replaced, the ABS TRACS module is in good working order and has good front end suspenstion. Also check to see that the evaporator is good as well, or has been replaced.

To make a decison on either of the two, it is hard. My druthers, both! They are both fun cars to drive. Specially after some mods!