1996 Volvo 850 GLT sedan with 140k -- should I buy?

[JRL]

Many reasons we're Volvo enthusiasts including the safety factor, driveability, longevity, fun to drive (different than driveability) and the most comfortable seats in a car (at lest for me), but without knowing a pretty good bit about the quirks of these cars and where to go for help (as well as where to buy parts reasonably), these cars can eat you alive in repair bills. That said, I think the reason JRL threw out the Camry was because it's reasonably reliable, has a fairly long life and typically only needs the basic maintenance. Camry's Tauras' and even Accords (I had one for years) etc. are fine to me but awfully boring. Volvo's have a soul (probably what your son is attracted to) and these cars don't.

CAMRY has become sort of a joke on another website but if you want reliable, a Camry, Accord or Nissan Maxima really IS the way to go.
I just SOLD a 99 Maxima SE with 99K miles that was pretty much a perfect car for just a little over 5 grand ($5400) Nive thing about a Maxima engine, no timing belts to replace!
Yes, you can buy an EXCELLENT (late model, 03-04) Taurus with very good miles, under 70K for $4000 but it's about as much driving fun as a Yugo!

[calbrit01]

My top ten reasons for owning a (94) Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon:

1. This Volvo forum
2. My children and I feel safe inside, SIPS, crumple zones etc
3. It feels safe to drive - great road holding, great stopping power/ABS, great control, solid at speed.
4. It is fun to drive, powerful, smooth, comfortable.
5. Some very useful features traction control&winter mode - works good in snow, twin temp controls, heated seats, on-board computer, OBDII&I
6. Squaddie proof as they say in the UK - take everyday the knocks of kids, dogs, luggage, kayaks, skis in their stride.
7. The older ones are real value for money if you find a good one and don't mind tinkering.
8. Parts are not a bad price compared to similar age/feature makes such as Mercedes, BMW.
9. Actually look pretty stylish, well the 855/V70s do.
10. This Volvo forum

These are of course my opinions only, and everybody is entitled to my opinion


Yes there are more reliable cars out there, I had a Nissan Sentra as my last car, was a boring first time every time starter, felt horribly unsafe at freeway speeds, boring to own, boring to drive. Volvos do have a certain Je ne sais quoi, and thats what you've got to love about them.

[ArmyDad]

Thanks for the additional thoughts on why you like Volvos. Or love them. I knew very little about Volvo before talking to owners recently, and the test drive of this 850 is the first time I'd been in one. I admit that I was very impressed with it. Thirteen years old and it felt solid, NO squeaks or rattles like all three of my later model Fords have, and a nice feeling of agility and maneuverability. I merged into traffic on I-94 and had to punch it from 70 to 90 to get away from a tailgater -- no problem. And my son has expressed an interest in something different -- as you said, a car with soul. He was willing to settle for a Taurus, but you're right: it would be a boring ride.

We were hoping to find a reasonably priced Focus ZX3 or even better, an SVT, but no luck here. And then by chance I found the ad from my wife's great-aunt. My younger son was convinced it was too boxy and ugly and slow, but after that test drive, he was liking it.

[ArmyDad]

P.S. How can I tell whether this 850 is equipped with side curtain air bags?

[Ozark Lee]

Look at the sticker on the door pillar, if it says SRS it doesn't have the side airbags. If it says SIPS it does.

...Lee

[ArmyDad]

Thanks. I'll be seeing the car later today. I thought SIPS was introduced on the 1996 MY 850, so I thought it was standard on all of them.