Looking For A New Volvo 850/S70

[abscate]

Ditto test on the lack of rust. Both my VWs and Volvos look like new with regards to rust...incredible after 15 years in the salt crazy upstate NY winters.

Zbyers....Alldata lists manual transaxle r/r at 8 hours labor. This estimates tend to be high, so I would say a weekend should easily cover it for a first timer.

Love my Eurovan....pull my boat to the Cape, load 6 teen girls for prom, or a weekend in the Adirondacks...at 20 mpg!

[jamesgh]

http://glenholland.com/850/1994volvo850gltwagon.html
check new post in 850 forum.
1994 850 glt wagon needs transmission.

[JimBee]

Does that '94 850 need a transmission or a transmission solenoid?
Erik or precopster might have suggestions.

[zbyers]

J-Dawg, I'm noticing the same thing on all of the Volvo's I've checked on. Even ones that say they sat for 5+ years don't seem to have any rust.

Abscate, we have an '02 Eurovan too- an MV/Weekender version. It is starting to get rusty around the gas filler and under the sliding door. Only from about 5 years in PA for winter. However, our Vanagon's have done pretty good avoiding rust for being 25+ years old.

James, that 94 looks nice. Columbus is a bit too far though. Mostly looking around Pittsburgh and Erie PA. I may be able to go farther east as we are picking up my brothers vehicle out that way in a few weeks.

[jamesgh]

the 94 850 wagon is now under classifieds- $500- Don't know what the transmission problem is, a lot of people have looked at it and seem to think it is the tranny. I am done with it.

[BEJinFbk]

You piled up on ice? Sounds like a good reason for AWD!
The naysayers are welcome to their opinions, but I love it.
I ran my '98 R with all seasons for years with no complaints,
but a few winters back, I picked up a nice, sticky set of
studded Nokian Hakka 5's. I've never looked back...

To say there's a difference would be an understatement.
I drive on plate ice for 6-7 months out of the year and the
combination of AWD with serious snow and ice rubber is AMAZING.

If the remarkably simple AWD system found in P80's hasn't been
abused, it's great in the winter and like riding on rails in the summer.
NO torque steer and a sure footed feeling that you just don't have
with only one axle. I'd suggest you at least try before you buy.

[E Showell]

My understanding on the lack of rust on Volvos is that they are made from Swedish steel which, by dint of geography, tends to have a high phosphorus content, which acts as a natural rust inhibitor, but that could just be apocrypha.

[j-dawg]

The phosphorous sure didn't help pre-galvanization 240s.

[scot850]

Also didn't stop the corrosion of the aluminum sub-frame of my 2000 R. Problem is that AWD are expensive to repair as they use a lot of unique parts, some of which are now obsolete. When they are running they are great, but when they go wrong they are expensive. I agree with Blockpartie, that by the time I have finished with the rear of my car I will be into it for $3-4000, and that includes the 2nd hand sub-frame at $650, and not a new one at $2500! Fuel system and pipework alone is $1500 and that doesn't include some emissions stuff and an obsolete vent pipe and the $100 fuel filler pipe!

This is the 2nd P80 AWD and it will be my last (as my wife will probably kill me after this repair).

We are not allowed to use studded tires in Calgary in Canada, but even on ice with FWD with good winter/ice tires (Nokian/Gislaved) not had any issues.

If you really want an AWD, be warned! There is a 2000 R for sale locally here for $2300 CDN ( about 1900 US) with some issues if you really want to travel!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calg ... nFlag=true

Neil.