Anyone owned a Volvo 850/S70/V70?

onewhippedpuppy · 01-17-2007, 09:36 AM

So I've made up my mind, the BMW is gone. Between my family, two jobs, and 15 credit hours of college, I just don't have the required time to wrench on it, not to mention the needed funds. So the goal is this: a 4 door, midsize sedan, that's not absolutely hell to drive, won't require much maintenance, and is under $7k. It's a temporary fix for three semesters, until I graduate and can actually afford a BMW that isn't 14 years and 150k old.

I've looked at the typical Japanese choices, and am considering an Accord or Maxima. But, I've stumbled upon these Volvos and they have me intrigued. Everything I've read points towards them being very reliable, with excellent build quality, and the T-5 and T-5R models have some serious pop. Plus, I've always kind of liked the brick inspired syling, or lack thereof. Best of all, they're readily available in my price range, in good shape at around 100k miles.

So, what say you Pelican Parts OT braintrust? Good cars, or run away screaming? I'm not unrealistic about buying an older used car, anything in my price range will sometimes require work. It also may require me buying an automatic, but that goes for the Accord or Maxima as well. I just don't want a weekend date in the garage every week, as my 325i has provided.

holtjv · 01-17-2007, 09:41 AM

A buddy of mine has had 2. He really liked them but, contrary to your finding, build quality was very bad. Electrical glitches (can't unlock the car) to powertrain and cooling problems.

There's a chance he got lemons but I wouldn't touch one.

You might look for a volvo board--got to be one out there.

notfarnow · 01-17-2007, 09:46 AM

My neighbor has a 97 850 wagon with ~260k. It's his daily driver, and he drives the snot out of it. He says it's the best car he has ever owned, and he's never buying another car again (he's in his 60s). He's going to keep maintaining it, no matter what it needs.

Between sailing, skiing and his cottage, he puts a lot of miles on it and hauls a lot of stuff with it. He also takes it on 2k trips through Canada & US every summer. The only issues he's had are a leak in the transmision, and some niggly electrical issues with the speedo & tach. Other than that just normal wear items. I do remember him complaining about the price of a new exhaust system, but I believe he put in all stainless.

I'm really impressed with it, and I'd buy one if they came as diesels

id10t · 01-17-2007, 09:50 AM

My relatives up in Minnesota love their volvos...

Personally I'd look at the late 90s Nissan Altimas... I have a '99 that we bought new in August of '98, its got 110k on it and no issues at all.... Oil gets changed every 4k or so and thats all we've done to/for it ...

rbarton · 01-17-2007, 09:58 AM

I had a '97 850R for about a year. Sold it for financial reasons, not because I didn't like the car. Loved the turbo engine (the R is the high pressure version, with 240 hp), but the handling did not match the straight line performance. These things definitely aren't BMW's. They do tend to run forever with proper maintenance (make sure the auto trans has been flushed on time) with the exception of a few minor electrical trouble spots that have been well documented.

Drive one and see if you like it. Check out swedespeed.com as a good source of info.

Gene Wilkes · 01-17-2007, 09:59 AM

I have an 850 and they require lots of servicing and attention! Buy the Japanese car!

Joeaksa · 01-17-2007, 10:07 AM

Owned several of them and love them. If my Honda wagon ever goes away it will be replaced by a Volvo.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-17-2007, 10:07 AM

I've done some browsing on the various Volvo boards, I just wanted some unbiased opinions. Right now it seems like we have best car ever vs crap, so there's some variety here. Like most cars, it probably comes down to maintenance.

I suppose something like a Maxima 5 speed might be the best I can get for fun without much maintenance.

Porsche virgin · 01-17-2007, 10:18 AM

My friend's mom has had to put nearly $3k in recent weeks into her V70 with under 75k miles. Cam position sensor, variable valve timing thingie, etc.

For under $7k and fun, a Maxima is a good compromise.

stevepaa · 10:31 AM

I had a 93 850, replaced two automatic transmissions before 100k: they all leaked, and then the rear main seal went around 140K. Sold to mechanic for $1500. These early 850's have other vibration issues, I have heard 97-98 and above are okay. This car was the worst I have ever owned

We have a 2004 V70, very nice except the B pillar blocks your side view when you turn your head, and the driver outside mirror does not cover enough rear vision area.

We had a 1992 740 with 288k miles on it and gave to a neighbor three years ago. It still is going strong.

I'd personally go buy that one back before I would buy another, but it did not have dual temperature controls and we need that for traveling.

Go find a 1992 740 for $1000 and you will not be disappointed. problem is, most owners will never give that car up.

rbarton · 01-17-2007, 10:32 AM

The 1993 (first year) 850 was notoriously unreliable. Definitely stick with the later cars. Also, the 850 (all) had a dated dash that tended to squeak and creak with age. The S70 was a big improvement in that regard.

stevepaa · 11:49 AM

Yeah, I forgot about the dash. It was terrible. I had thought the 850 in 1993 might be okay as it had been in Europe for two years and so the "first year" label might not apply, but it surely does.

M.D. Holloway · 01-17-2007, 11:53 AM

Matt,
I have a 1996 850. The car has been very nice to me. I can find no reason to get rid of it other than I really want a truck - Toyota Tundra. The Kelly on it is $4000. It has 107,000 on it. Well cared for and will last another 100,000 easy. I'll sell it to you for under $4000 and even throw in a life time worth of engine oil!

onewhippedpuppy · 01-17-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Matt,
I have a 1996 850. The car has been very nice to me. I can find no reason to get rid of it other than I really want a truck - Toyota Tundra. The Kelly on it is $4000. It has 107,000 on it. Well cared for and will last another 100,000 easy. I'll sell it to you for under $4000 and

even throw in a life time worth of engine oil!

Sold! Seriously though, I'd be interested in a few details. Is it a turbo model? I'm most interested in the T-5 and T-5R models, they seem to better overcome the natural sluggishness of the automatic.

JeffO · 01-17-2007, 02:27 PM

Hey Matt, In sweden the saying goes " you buy a volvo for the right lane and a saab for the left lane". The repair costs can be the same and the saab can be a lot fun to drive. Especially if you get the aero model, very much like the R. Look into what the local dealer does with thier tradeins. Here in CT if it has over 15k they send the cars to auction. But buds of the dealership get first crack. An ex service manager of a saab dealer opened his used car lot specializing in saabs and I found two wonderful 900's for my daughters at great deals. Plus as a friend of the dealer they have access to the maintance records.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Hi Matt,
Seems like you sold the 911 for the 951 for much the same reason, then sold THAT for the BMW for same reason. Need an Accord?

i had a '95 850 T-5 and I loved it for what it was. Served my purposes then 9married with two older kids) just fine. I had NO build quality problems. But with then 220HP, it was fun to tromp on it occasionally (yeah, right!). Ultimatley I began to have some ttrans slippage on it. Took it to a local mechanic and he said that was common and more so with the R model...which I always wanted. Once the transaxle is properly rebuilt I understand they last. Coincidence, I had an '89 Maxima SE too. Same car, '89 to 94. It was a GREAT car. Really solid build quality, 5 speed, I'd recommend them except they may be too old for what you're looking for. You may want to inquire if the S70 Volvos - essentially the same as the 850 under the somewhat updated skin - took care of the transaxle problem. But if you could find a low miles one, perhaps with the trans issue already addressed and for $7K? Its a lot of nice family car for that while still giving some fun.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-17-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Hi Matt,
Seems like you sold the 911 for the 951 for much the same reason, then sold THAT for the BMW for same reason. Need an Accord?

You see, this is the problem with spending 4 years on the same website! Ok, you got me. I love German cars, but can't afford a great one, and can't afford to fix up an average one. So the process just repeats itself. FINALLY, I have come to terms with the fact that a BMW or Porsche is a better idea AFTER I have finished school. Unfortunately, have you seen how little $7k buys you in an Accord?

The S70 is probably preferred, I like the softer edged styling better, and the interior is a huge improvement over the 850. The R is out of my price range, but the T-5 is still a pretty good kick. Seriously looking at the Maxima too, there's a '97 in KC with 102k and a 5 speed for $4900. Of course, there's also a 850 T-5R for the same price..............

onewhippedpuppy · 01-17-2007, 03:29 PM

Also, related to Jeff's statement, what's the opinion on the Saab 9-3 and 9-5? Seems like they fall within my range.

jorian · 01-17-2007, 03:45 PM

I have a 1996 850 T5 wagon with approx 160K miles on it. Like my 911 I drive the crap out of it and it just keeps going. In the last 2 years I've spent about 2K on it. Bushings, front struts, drop links for the sway bars, new battery and an alternator. It is faster than my 911 in an on-ramp situation, swallows up 5 adults and gear and has the best stock stereo I've ever heard. I bought a chip for it which gives you a bump in boost from 9 PSI to 14, same as the R model. When it finally craps out I'll probably buy a 2004 R.

If you are looking for reviews and other enthusiasts check www.ipdusa.com located in Portland OR. They sell all sorts of go fast stuff for 'bricks' and have a very good rep. For the money I think this is a terrific buy. The utility of the wagon is what keeps me from having to buy a mini-van.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
You see, this is the problem with spending 4 years on the same website! Ok, you got me.

Hey, no judgement from me. Remember I'm a car guy (translates to idiot) too. I've made all the same purchases and sales and for the same reasons too!

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
I love German cars, but can't afford a great one...

Hence, I owned a 14 year old 944, a rag tag 951 and now own a Mid Year 911!

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
The S70 is probably preferred, I like the softer edged styling better, and the interior is a huge improvement over the 850. The R is out of my price range, but the T-5 is still a pretty good kick. Seriously looking at the Maxima too, there's a '97 in KC with 102k and a 5 speed for $4900. Of course, there's also a 850 T-5R for the same price..............

I tend to agree with S70 too. if you do end up going with an 850, they had two differetn headlight sizes. The 5" and the 6" if I remember correctly. The 6" ones look WAYtoo dated. Just my opinion. The later than '94 Maximas got a little heavy looking in the middle style wise. But with nice wheels they can be made to look good. I've still got my old school Ronal 16x8's (no, not the tapered spoke ones) in the garage I would let go for cheap.

I know you aren't asking but to me?, Saab's are just too weirdly styled to consider. And I think (but don't know for sure) have values that drop like stones. Unlike most cars of course whose values continue to inflate

Good luck with what you choose. Make sure you post pix on OT. Best, Dan

P.S. +1 on T Wagons. Almost the only wagon I'd ever consider. Got a guy at work with an excellent chipped white on with the small roof spoiler, lowered and nice wheels, a truly nice car. Runs too. The 850 and I THINK the S70 can be chipped to really run up the HP. Exhaust kit really helps but be ready to pay. Can't just "chip" them, got to swap the entire box at a (used to be) cost of about $1000. My 220HP 850 could be made to produce I think 267HP.