my transition to the dark side is complete

[xHeart]

I haven't had a car payment for 9 years. It's been... nice.

I am in my 10th with 97 850NA, and 4th year with '01 V70XC. No shop visit for two years, now it feels great each day.

[rmmagow]

I'm only a recent Volvo convert having driven a Mazda 929 since 1990. My V70 seriously doesn't make me too crazy and I am finding it hard to believe I put nearly 50K miles on the thing with nothing worse than a timing belt/water pump job and replacement of the front strut mounts, all easy and/or cheap to do. By the end of spring I expect to have a second P80 series car, a good one for my wife and another V70 for myself (or a decent 240/other RWD). This site makes ownership a pleasure with so many folks ready to jump in to help with issues. My biggest regret is I didn't do Volvo back in the 70's and 80's. And it sure is sweet not having car payments, something I haven't had since 2001.

[Ben850]

1+,

I think the 1984-97 850, 1998-2000 S/V70 series was one of the best Volvo produced because:
.

I believe you meant 1994-1997 850.
None the less.

Curious why you neglected 1993 850s. I am enjoying having mine very close now to stage 0, and somewhat nicer than original with a few simple, inexpensive modifications.
I like the look of the larger headlights, and the different rear spoiler on the '93. There are some excentricities but you can work around them.

People need to stop hating on the '93s.

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[850 LPT]

Beautiful car, Ben.

I can only agree with everyone here, and I can't believe that it's been 11 years now that I've owned my 850. The car has been a pure pleasure to own. It sure needed constant attention and maintenance, but the reward were 196k fun filled miles.

Now I just received a deposit on it and it's sitting in the garage waiting for the new new owner to come and pick it up. I get this sad feeling in my stomach every time I walk by it and I'm not sure if selling it was a smart move to make. Good thing is that the new owner is a Volvo nut just like me and it's going to a good home. Also good that the replacement is another P80 car that's just as clean and fun to drive.

But I have a funny feeling there will be serious separation anxiety....

[cn90]

Thanks Ben for the clarification. I meant 1994-97 850, but I somehow I missed out on 1993 850. Sorry about that.
I still remember the excitement in 1993 when the 850 was fresh from the oven.
Motor Trends had a nice nice article about the 1993 850 being the first FWD, with engine built by Porsche engineers as Volvo engineers could not figure out how to squeeze a 5-bangers into a transverse mount configuration.
The 850 took 10 years to develop as the Swedish engineers were paranoid about every single little aspects behind it.

[Ben850]

I was just having fun. Nobody seems to want to deal with the little things that make the '93s a little frustrating at times.

First year on the U.S. market, it seemed like a prototype compared to the '94.5-'97.

It really just boils down to doing a little more homework on part numbers, Realizing you have 4-lugs/bolts per wheel so rotors, hubs, and wheels have to follow suit. Certain electronic connectors in the wiring harnesses are different. the list goes on, but like I said, just a little more homework.

Truthfully, I enjoy the extra footwork. It makes for a satisfaction in accomplishment when things come together.

[wheeler000]

There's a little masochist inside every Volvo owner I think.

[bugleg]

Certainly for those who work on their own cars--those who employ mechanics are more sadomasochists, which would explain why every good Volvo mechanic I've ever known (family has been driving Volvo's for 30 years) has been more grumpy and pissed off than the last.

[wheeler000]

I remember one of my first volvos, it was a diesel, driving around with a full sized shop quality air compressor in my trunk at all times so I could pressurize the engine to get it started every single time. masochistic much?

[Rondo]

Funny you say that your car knows when you talk about it. No kidding, I just got done telling my wife that my car was just nasty dirty and needed a bath. Started it up and my driver's side headlight was out, too. Went through the car wash on the way to auto zone.