Hi all,

I live in NYC and want a steady, reliable commuter for 2-3 days a week; I'll be going upstate; there will be snow at times.

Here is my quandry:

I have owned an 86 Volvo wagon, manual trans - loved it. Had to part with it a few years back due to rising insurance costs. Now I need one, can afford the insurance.

How do I determine which to buy? They all sound good though I'm partial to manual transmission:

89 240 Wagon with auto, 111,000 miles, new battery, tires, brakes
95 940GLE Wagon, auto 250,000 miles, serviced regularly
95 850GLT Wagon, manual trans, 124,000 miles, needs rear shocks soon

People seem to say the 940 is the way to go; what about snow handling? and people also mention the timing belt....so should that be a question asked of all three cars. Also, all are up for grabs for about the same price - private sale, $1200-1400.

Help! I'm seeing them all this weekend.

 

For me, always came down to what I wanted then I went looking for it: manuel vs auto, 3rd row seats (deal for me), AWD vs fwd/rwd, and a mileage threshold. Maintenance/condition is a tough one because you never know that until you see it. And mileage is a factor in terms of wear and tear. No matter how well-maintained, stuff will wear out and go wrong. At the end of it all, cars are a consumable item and will eventually be all used up. Unless you're into restoration. Good luck and wish I could be more help.

 

After 3 RWD Volvos, I'm happy with my front wheel drive when the snow falls.
I got tired of loading sand in the rear, and it never really helped anyway.
Ed

 

850 looks like is the one you like since it's M. If mileage is correct (odometer breaks in many of them) you will need to do Timing belt next year. If you DIY it's not hard. shops charge about 600.

If you're going upstate thru the city and Bronx, I would not like FWD. If you go thru NJ Turnpike you will spare it.

In the winter, use snow tires. I have snows on my RWD and love them in the winter. LOL I crashed my 850 on the way to the tire place to put snows on.

850 will drive like a ricer in comparison to the RWD Volvo.