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Volvo 850 Wagons

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#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.
#249 of 491 Bridgestone Potenza RE950 by FREDERICK Sep 12, 2002 (10:34 pm)
This is an interesting choice only becuase it is Japanese and they have a direct connection to to Firestone, infact they are the same comapany. All this time I thought I was driving on Michelins but they were Firestone Firehawks.................oh K thank U Jesus.   I'm just kidding but I will consider the Bridgestone choice. My wife is a fanatic about tires now so she'll have her own oppinion. And no....we never owned or drove an Explorer. My wife did a project of the whole mess and came away knowing more than anyone would ever want to know about tires. I however being the man of the house would never confir to her supperior mechanical and technical knowledge on such an issue.............so I have to ask all of U first. LOL-   Peace,   F.
#250 of 491 Dilemma: looking for mid-90s wagon. HELP! by lingon Sep 20, 2002 (1:28 pm)
So here's the dilemma. I have $10k to spend on a mid-90s wagon, and I want the 850. I've been focusing my efforts on the 850GLT, and found one. It's a one-owner '95 GLT model with 88k miles, is immaculate, and the service records bear out that it's been babied for 7 years, at the dealer. It has about 80% left on the tires, new timing belt and brakes, and everything seems to be in order. They won't budge below $9800.   I also just found a '94 Turbo with 88k, from a second owner who has no records. This one, also with new tires and very clean, has some perks the other doesn't--top-of-line trim package, CD changer in the trunk, hands-free phone set, and drives like a bat out of hell. It has some minor damage to the front spoiler and some door dings. The owner says it was the 'sport package' for '94, but I can't find any documentation that says there even *was* a sport package. (?) He's asking $9500, and I suspect will go to $9k or just below.   My dilemma is that I've heard so many times to NOT BUY A TURBO. Everyone keeps warning me about the woeful horror of the turbo, but I have to say, it is extremely fun to drive. I'd certainly like any knowledge people have on turbo vs. non-turbo, and '94 vs. '95. Also, I've heard that the '94s had flakey electrical systems. I ran a Recall check on Edmunds, and there's a list a mile long for the '94, but virtually nothing for the '95. Any input anyone? Help!
#251 of 491 by jrosasmc Sep 21, 2002 (3:24 pm)
Definitely avoid the Turbo models at all costs; I mean all of them from the regular to the T-5R. The maintenance costs won't be forgiving to you in the long run. I have a '93 GLT sedan that I just love to drive, but I'm going to attest to the fact that many '93-'95 850s had questionable electrical systems. I know, because I've had a few problems with mine. If you want all-around reliability, definitely try to look for a '96 base model wagon without any frills.
#252 of 491 by javadoc Sep 22, 2002 (7:33 am)
What is wrong w/ a turbo model? The days of costly turbo repairs is long gone. If a turbo actually fails, you can pick up one from a junkyard for about $100, but I've seen 850 turbos w/250k on the original blower. Trannies and electrics were not as good thru '95, but mostly bulletproof for '96/7. My '96 T5 has been the most reliable car I've ever owned aside from the wife's MPV van... at 80k miles, and I drive it 'spiritedly' to say the least.   Personally, I'd shop for a 96/7 model for reliability-sake, and a turbo model for good power.
#253 of 491 Base Wagon 96' by FREDERICK Sep 24, 2002 (5:06 pm)
Lingon-   I agree with your research on earlier 90's 850 Turbos. In years past I've read much of the same sort of posting you've discovered on the problematic issues with the early 850 turbos but they also seemed to be a general malaise of Volvos built in those years. 96-98's seemed to be the better years from my own research. I bought a base 96' because I'm a simple sorta guy.   These days when I drive freeways it's more for the long haul so the base 850 is good enough for my needs. We've had little problem with the car and we're happy with our purchase. We did however purchase a long-term warranty before the 50K mile mark just in case, $1000 is an extra peace of mind. Transmissions have been a major problem with all of the 850s. $3,000+ is the usual repair cost.   My final comment is that you need to be ready to spend serious $'s for regular and general upkeep of your Volvo. The 850 is not a Swedish version of the old American family beater wagon you remember from your childhood. I of course would take our 850 over any of those pieces of ........ any day.   Peace,   F.
#254 of 491 by jrosasmc Sep 25, 2002 (7:39 am)
How do you know that it costs $3,000+ just to rebuild or replace a transmission? And are you talking about the automatic versions?
#255 of 491 One more thing Fred: by jrosasmc Sep 25, 2002 (10:28 am)
No offense, but where did you get the idea that the early 850s have transmission issues?
#256 of 491 Turbos and Automatics by FREDERICK Sep 26, 2002 (2:49 pm)
J-   My views have been based on a lot of research over time. I am of course talking about automatic 850's. $3K was about what other people were claiming to have paid to repair their autos at around 70-80K miles. Stick versions of the 850 in the United States are nearly as rare as the infamous Dodo bird. Too bad but true.   I found my information on the net similar to Lingon. I read a lot and I of course own one of these cars. The final answer is.... look at posting #1.   I know others here know a heck of a lot more than myself but I will always give a real owners perspective.

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