Is the 850 becoming a classic?

[volvolugnut]

Keep in mind the entry level cars (Vega, Pinto, AMC Pacer, Honda Civic, Plymouth Horizon, Dodge Neon, etc) will never be highly prized. Avoid this value trap.

Well, the very first Honda Civics may get the cute value multiplier if in perfect condition.

volvolugnut

[Nevada1906]

Want mine to get in on the ground floor?

Well said!

[Nevada1906]

Who would've thought at the time that small-block Malibus and Fairlanes and Dusters would ever be valuable? They were the cars you didn't REALLY want, but fell into because you couldn't afford the big-block.

I can see the basic 850 being valuable as an example of the Golden Age of Automobiles that was the 90s: cars that were incredibly well-made, extremely reliable and tastefully styled. Cars whose electronic systems were sophisticated enough to make them extraordinarily dependable, but not so overdeveloped as to include questionable crap like backup cameras and TPMS and drive-by-wire throttles.

So if you have one, keep it. That's what I'm doing.

[abscate]

As I watch the proliferation of Tesla’s here in Suffolk county, I do believe they are the ugliest things made since the Pontiac Aztek van

When the Mother Engineer gave birth to the Tesla, the Doctor slapped her.

[RickHaleParker]

and Dusters would ever be valuable? They were the cars you didn't REALLY want, but fell into because you couldn't afford the big-block.

If you where not all caught up in the notion bigger is better or trying to over compensate for something and wanted something reliable, you got a Chrysler Slant-6. Like the Volvo Red Block ( Slant-4 ) they just keep going and going.

One does not need 200+ hp to commute to work or for a milk run.

[SomeGuy537]

Who would've thought at the time that small-block Malibus and Fairlanes and Dusters would ever be valuable? They were the cars you didn't REALLY want, but fell into because you couldn't afford the big-block.

I can see the basic 850 being valuable as an example of the Golden Age of Automobiles that was the 90s: cars that were incredibly well-made, extremely reliable and tastefully styled. Cars whose electronic systems were sophisticated enough to make them extraordinarily dependable, but not so overdeveloped as to include questionable crap like backup cameras and TPMS and drive-by-wire throttles.

So if you have one, keep it. That's what I'm doing.

That's very true. I think the 90's might have been the era when we hit peak-automobile. Great visibility and the ability to easily upgrade the stereo head unit are other great characteristics of 90's cars.

[SomeGuy537]

Harder to drift a FWD car? We know how you Finns like to rally cars!!!

Neil.

That might just be it lol. The RWD Volvos are extremely popular among youngsters over here and hence a lot of them are, well.. Ruined. That could be why nice ones are expensive. The 850 might become the next popular volvo among the youth though.

[matthew1]

I think the VIDA/DiCE requirement for P2 cars, for the serious DIY guy or mechanic, is what makes those not as desirable in the long-term as the P80. That VIDA/DiCE requirement is of course a result of a more complex car with more complex parts. So blame it on that if you want, or blame the whole package.

Of course there will be outliers like say a 2001 T5M V70, but for the most part I just don't see P2s achieving what P80s will achieve in terms of collectibility.

[Clemens]

Harder to drift a FWD car? We know how you Finns like to rally cars!!!

Neil.

That might just be it lol. The RWD Volvos are extremely popular among youngsters over here and hence a lot of them are, well.. Ruined. That could be why nice ones are expensive. The 850 might become the next popular volvo among the youth though.

I don't know, FWD will always be less fun than RWD. And at the same time, these metrosexual young vegan urban dorks really don't do that whole car thing no more...

Here in Austria the prices for decent 850ies have gone up over the last 3 years, the low point was between 2017 and 2019, I'd say. Back then you could buy running T5s for under a grand, now they are back up at around 5 grand (if they are roadworthy). Base models, of course, are way cheaper, althoug the 10V really has the bedt sounding motor of all P80s. The 20V and Turbos don't even come close.

[abscate]

I’ve got a barn full of AMC Pacers ready for the day that the Tesla owners suddenly develop ‘ taste’. They can use them to drive to olive Garden