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Volvo 850 Wagons

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What is this discussion about? Volvo 850, Wagon

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#160 of 491 by cjfairman Mar 03, 2001 (5:51 pm)
156 of 158 warning to kandyfreak by cjfairman Mar 01, 2001 (04:34 am) do your research carefully and explore extended warranties. My wife and I bought our 97 850 wagon, which was at the tail end of the previous style. This would lead you to think that all of the kinks were worked out and refinements made. Look carefully through these posts for recurring problems. I always thought extended warranties were a complete waste of money, after all I didn't require one on my Subaru that ran to 130k before being rearended and totalled. I didn't need one on our beater car a 94 mercury tracer (125K and still going) I didn't need one on my old cavalier I drove in college, a honda civic, a mazda rx7......you get the idea. I have babied all of my cars and been rewarded with excellent service and hundreds of thousands of miles except for my first true "luxury" purchase an 850 glt wagon. I kick myself every day I go to the dealer for not extending the warranty. It is fun to drive, roomy, comfortable etc etc. I just wished I got to drive it. (The service department knows me by name and my phone # by heart.) Take whatever price you plan to pay and inflate it by about $3000-$4000 to fix. Those numbers are a conservative estimate, I've paided more in the last 6 months. Good luck. Drive Safely---as Volvo would say. I wished they'd just say "Drive" period.
#161 of 491 by spiker2 Mar 07, 2001 (7:33 pm)
I echo the grievance over the engine light disease in 850 wagons. Mine, a 1997, came on at 60K, past the warranty, of course, and cost me $400 for a tiny blower. So far, no other problems, but without the turbot, it is a slow starter. Am thinking about a 2001 or 02, V70, 2.4 turbot; should I, despite concern of high maintenance costs?
#162 of 491 Looking to buy a 850 /V70 by chp3ril Mar 10, 2001 (8:38 pm)
I have been told that a 1996 850t or a 1998 v70 would be good Volvo's to buy I have a 1988 740gle now with 210,000 on it and it's been a great car. I drive 650 to 800 miles per week so I want one to be as good as my 740 and I don't want to spend alot of money on upkeep.
#163 of 491 TRACS doesn't track... by psi1 Mar 12, 2001 (9:02 am)
I just bought a '96 850 wagon with TRACS. Trying it out in snow, I found that I can certainly spin the front wheels. Is this supposed to happen? What exactly does TRACS do?
#164 of 491 RE:Post 159 by losthat1 Mar 12, 2001 (4:24 pm)
Look back over all the previous posts. I would venture a guess that you will find many issues with the 850/V70. Seriously, if you have had good luck with your 88 why not just keep driving it? IMHO the Volvos of the past, including those built in 1988 are much more reliable than any of the more recent. I just said goodbye to my 96 850t after 81,000 miles. The last 20,000 were filled with trips to the dealer and mighty expensive repairs. Good Luck!
#165 of 491 Looking to buy a 850 by zookie1095 Mar 14, 2001 (4:14 pm)
I have about 13,000 to spend on a used 850 do I have a chance? Secondly, is there anyone out there that is happy with their 850
#166 of 491 Happy w/ 850 Wagon but battery's died twice by lesho Mar 26, 2001 (12:08 pm)
To the person who wants to know if anyone is happy w/ their 850, I am. I bought my 850 GLT wagon two years ago after researching Consumer Reports and Edmunds. CR listed the 850 as a "good buy" and I was attracted by the fact that the cars seem to hold their value for awhile. I did go into the purchase expecting my maintanence bills to be higher than my previous Honda Accord, but I've driven Volkswagons before and felt the tradeoff to Europeon styling, etc. was worth it.   I was lucky to find a standard. One local dealer told me that they did not import standrads to the U.S. so I'd have to get a standard. I found the car at a Ford dealership and paid $4000 below book value. The car had upgrades like leather seats, all power seating, and side airbags. The car had one previous owner.   Since I've owned it I've only done the recommended maintanence and oil changes. I DO NOT take it to the dealer. I found a great auto shop that only works on Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, etc. He stamps my book so I can maintain all service records. I did get some of the previous repairs on the car from the Volvo dealer and was surprised that the entire dash board had been replaced as well as several other major items. I'm hoping that the previous owner was very picky and pushy and got stuff done while the car was still under warranty.   The only problem I've had with the car is it not starting due to the battery dying. In fact, the car wouldn't start this morning (new Diehard put in three months ago) and my husband was unable to jump it. We had to remove the battery and take it to a shop to see if there's a problem with it. I'm hoping to hear very soon that it's only the battery. Both times it's died it's been cold out and I hadn't used the car for several days.   That said, I love driving the car. It still looks almost brand new and it's a nice solid car. I don't necessarily agree that it's really comfortable. I rode in the back set once and thought it was a rather stiff and unforgiving ride. My sister has a Mercedes staion wagon that's a year or two newer than my Volvo. I'd take the Volvo any day over the Mercedes. My Volvo is roomier, nicer looking inside (and out I think) and seems to be much more reliable. (The Mercedes is constantly in the shop w/ expensive repairs). Overall, I've been highly pleased with the car. I'll remain that way as long as the reliability continues. I do agree that it's critical with these cars to maintain them religiously.
#167 of 491 lesho by lancerfixer Mar 26, 2001 (12:33 pm)
Couple things- One, 850s and S/V70s were sold with manual transmissions here in the states. The dealer you spoke to is wrong. It's hard to find them, especially the wagons, but they're out there. They were available in the non-turbo and high-pressure turbo models, but not the low pressure turbo.   Two, it sounds as though there might be a small current draw on your battery-- could be something as silly as the glovebox light staying on when the door is closed. If the battery checks out OK, you may want to see if there's any current being drawn when the car is off (of course, there will be a very small amount drawn for things like the clock and radio memory, but your repair shop will know what's appropriate and what's excessive.)   You've got a real find with that 5-speed wagon; I've been looking at Volvos for months now, and have only seen one 5-speed, and it was a sedan. Happy motoring.
#168 of 491 fuel door motor by volvomama Mar 27, 2001 (12:05 am)
the fuel door locks shut intermittently on my 96 850 turbo wagon. I have to take apart the inside right tail light and pull a little lever to get it to open. One mechanic told me the "motor" to the door may be going out, but couldn't be sure unless he saw it while it was inoperable. Another mechanic told me he thought it had something to do with my automatic key....I should "click" it a certain # of times to remedy the problem....any advice??
#169 of 491 DSTC on XC...... by norge003 Mar 27, 2001 (10:22 am)
Can anyone tell me why the XC doesn't come with DSTC like the V70 (as an option).....I am looking hard at buying the 2001 XC but was surprised that the option wasn't available. Even with the XC having an AWD (at times), it still seems to me like it should be available. Any help would be appreciated.

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