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Volvo 850 Wagons

491 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 8:06 PM

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#239 of 491 3 kids/3 car seats--v70 or 850 wagon by musicalmum Sep 05, 2002 (5:09 pm)
Anyone have any experience with using 3 car seats in a V70 or 850?? We are considering looking for a 1997 or 1998 to replace our 1989 740, and will need to use 3 car seats soon (#3 due in 4 weeks). I checked our car and 3 car seats seemed to fit ok. Wondered if either of the models we were considering would also work. Also wondered if any experienced parents had any general words of advice on fitting 3 kids into a wagon. Should we just bite the bullet and get an SUV? We really like wagons, though. Budget restraints limit us to a Volvo at least 4 or 5 years old. Any comments welcome. Thanks. kathy
#240 of 491 K- this is just a word... by FREDERICK Sep 05, 2002 (9:25 pm)
Skip the SUV and no I do not have kids. Honestly, go out and drive a few.   Best of Luck,   F.   P.S..: Don't know about third seats except that I have the option.
#241 of 491 3 car seats in an 850/70 Series by javadoc Sep 05, 2002 (11:32 pm)
I've had two car seats in my 850 with my 7yo in between w/o a carseat. That's doable, but I think that 3 carseats would be a squeeze. The 70Series cars would be the same. Having a third row option in the wagon would work well. I agree w/Fredrick: avoid the SUV route. You will have less overall space (seriously), not to mention the multitude of other issues...which are left for another forum.   What about a not-so-expensive minivan? Seating for seven, better fuel economy than an SUV, and cheaper than a new SUV to boot.
#242 of 491 850_in_ga by lancerfixer Sep 06, 2002 (1:34 pm)
I'm not positive on this, but I'm pretty sure the 850 never had auto-levelling suspension as an option like the older 760/940/960 series did. I'd say you can do two things to modify your ride: get a set of 15" alloys from the non-turbo 850 (yes, they'll fit just fine) or find a set of softer springs and shocks. Either way, you're looking at a few hundred dollars; you'll also be compromising the handling of the car.   Good luck.   re: Seating.   I think I must disagree with my esteemed fellow Volvophile Javadoc in regards to the third seat issue. I'm not crazy about the idea of putting my kid (or someone else's) in a rear-facing "tail-gunner" seat. I've never liked them, even in Volvos. If I needed third seat capability, I'd look no further than a Honda Odyssey. I will agree with him (and others) about avoiding SUVs, though. Please do so!
#243 of 491 by javadoc Sep 06, 2002 (5:02 pm)
You're right Lancer, the third row isn't great, but an option, imho. However, it doesn't provide stellar protection in a rear-ender type crash, for certain.   Some 850s came with the auto-leveling rear suspension. IIRC, all 850R wagons 'could' have it (as an option I believe), and some of the Turbo/T5 wagons, but not the sedans that I know of. I'll have to do some digging to provide years that it was available.
#244 of 491 850_in_ga, a follow-up by javadoc Sep 06, 2002 (10:09 pm)
Okay, after some research... the 855R cars, aka 850R Wagons, came with the Nivomat automatic load leveling rear suspension, standard equipment. Possibly, but I'm not sure, the Platinum version did as well.   Lancer's correct that a way to improve ride is to go to 15" rims. I noticed that the ride improved on my T5 sedan when I replaced the OEM shocks to Bilsteins, although they're much firmer. Also, you can check your control arm bushings. Depending on mileage, they could be worn, and this will contribute to a harsh ride.   What size tires do you have on the car? If you have 205/55-R16 tires, then it will ride a bit better than 205/50-R16, but they'll rub slightly on full lock... this only if you have a Turbo. If you have an R, you should have 17" rims, and switching just to 16" rims will improve your ride. Hmmm, I know where you could get 16" rims.
#245 of 491 Tires..... by FREDERICK Sep 10, 2002 (9:14 pm)
Javadoc or others-   I finally need a new set. We've got Michilins on the wagon now and they seem pretty deccent. This is not a race car and we don't drive in snow or a lot of wet weather. Just get more of the same or do any of U have a different idea and why?   Peace,   F.
#246 of 491 P.S.: by FREDERICK Sep 10, 2002 (9:17 pm)
I like a firm ride BTW- I want the car to handle well when it's fully loaded.
#247 of 491 Haven't tried them myself... by lancerfixer Sep 11, 2002 (10:31 am)
...but I've heard good things about the Bridgestone RE950.
#248 of 491 Naysayers.. by javven Sep 11, 2002 (6:14 pm)
I'm sure everyone here has had the precise problems they indicate.   However... market research has shown that if someone has a BAD experience with a product, they will tell 20+ people, vs the ones who have a good experience telling 1.5 or so.   This was done before the power of the internet made telling 100,000 people so simple.   Thanks for the listen.

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