Volvo 850 GLT; Any opinions??

Sarc · 05:54 AM

We've stumbled across what appears to be a clean 96 Volvo 850 GLT that might be worth adding to fleet as a substitution the soon to be gone '04 Civic.
The car has 112,000 and the seller is asking $5,000. The only experience I have with Volvo's were the various mid 80's 740's and 240's that circulated in the family that proved to be rock solid reliable (save for frequent taillight electrical issues), so I'm not up on the newer generations.
Any known issues with these cars? Any trouble spots I should look for? How many miles can I expect to get out the 5 cylinder? What kind of performance upgrades can be done? If you care to share any general impressions of them, I all ears!

Thanks!
Paul

Sarc · 10-20-2005, 05:56 AM

The car in question

yellowline · 10-20-2005, 06:36 AM

My parents drive Volvos...1 740 16v with 225k miles, and a 960 with 122k. I learned to drive on the 740. Those are really solid cars that feel good to drive, for a non-BMW sedan.

If you're looking for an overbuilt car, 240/740 style, I don't think the 850 is it. I hear the upgrades are easily found and done, but I don't think they're up to the usual Volvo tank-built standard. I've ridden in a GLT wagon...accelerates hard, shifts really throw you. Fun car, but I'm not sure about them

Look for a '95+ 960. Hard to find, but worth it. A decent one is probably not much more than the asking price on the 850 in question.

pa911 · 10-20-2005, 06:58 AM

Gas mileage not the same as the Civic,Check for oil leaks,main seals have a tendancy to leak on them.

stevepaa · 10-20-2005, 08:11 AM

Our 92 740 wagon has 290K miles on it and we gave it to our neighbor for his college kid. Looks like new even now.

Bought a 93 850 automatic in 95. Replaced two transmissions before 100k miles. And the third was going out at 160 k when I sold it to a Volvo mechanic for $1K.

The door jamb was weak and the pull back connector, the thing to stop the door from opening too far, broke from the A pillar. That was a lot of fun to fix.

You can only buy Volvo rotors as any others warp after 5k miles. The engine mounts were replaced at least twice, there are about 5 on the motor.

Had to recharge the AC and replace a component-$1K.
Had to replace rear main seal -$1k.
Check with local service for a '96 problems.

However, we just bought a 2004 V70 wagon last year after talking to local service guys who say all the bugs were worked out by 2001.

livi · 10-20-2005, 09:12 AM

I grew up with SAAB and Volvo, naturally.

As for the 850 in general its a very reliable car, but in my mind neither manufacturer have ever managed to get rid of that feeling of driving a big boring tractor.

That said, the Swedish car fleet is represented with Volvo probably every other car on the roads. Reliable, rather thirsty and quit boring.

TerryBPP · 10-20-2005, 11:46 AM

My girlfriend has one. Decent car, very reiliable, expense to service, and drive like a tank.

adamred · adamred's Garage

I just sold my '95, 850 this year for the low, low price of $2000....Had 150K on the clock, just too many things constantly going wrong to make it worth it to me anymore, especially whilst trying to maintain the Porsche budget at the same time...I was starting to fear the dreaded failing transmission so I decided to get out while it still ran decent and looked pretty good...

Adam

M.D. Holloway · 10-20-2005, 08:35 PM

Paul - We have a 1996 850 and for the most part it has been very reliable. $5000 seems a little high - have you checked CarFacts or the Blue Book value?

The only problems we have had was the AC failing and the brakes wearing out. I think that was the worst and frankly that isn't bad. Oh ya, I do have a bad EGR sensor and have opt'd not to fix. It would cost over $800 due to location and it isn't hurting anything.

beepbeep · 10-21-2005, 03:23 AM

That's early car. Buy newer one with all child diseases cured.

jorian · 10-21-2005, 08:03 AM

I've had my 96 Turbo wagon since 99 and have replaced front brakes, a timing belt, and sway bar drop links for a total of $1000 +-. It has 170K miles looks great and still goes like hell. On-ramp/passing acceleration is better than my 911! It swallows up a ton of gear and keeps me out of a mini van. I'd buy another one in a minute.