Looking to buy another Volvo. What is the most reliable Year, Model and Engine ?

 

I think it all depends in what your looking for?

Sedan

Coupe

Wagon

Then we can go from there.

 

Also, year of manufacture will have some impact. Newer are easier to diagnose yet more expensive to fix.

 

I'll rephrase: What year anddrivetrain require the fewest repairs? Make it a sedan.

 

An early 90's 240 that was driven by a grandma, and was maintained at the dealership it's whole life.

 

The 240 is about the best.
But the 240 isn't for me I would rather have a 850.

 

I vote 850 also.

 

242 FTW

 

850... ha ha no... that car was definitely a poor design from volvo, i rank the 850 right with the 700's, but that was also when volvo was having some $$$ issues... but the most reliable volvo i've ever owned was my beloved gold '88 240!!! and parts are pretty cheap and easy to find

 

So let me get this straight. An early 90's 240, that has been dealer maintained, always garaged, owned by a grandmother, low miles, only been to church on sundays and never been in an accident or an 850 with the same good fortune.

 

By both of them.

Really two totally different cars. I just started liking the 240 recently. I just never cared for the looks. I think the 850 is one of the best looking cars on the road, fun to drive and fast. Once you know the car, it is no harder to work on yourself than any other car.

 

Most reliable so far was my 70 142. outside of maintance the car never broke down or missed a beat in the 8 years I owned it. when I sold it in 1986 it had 310,000 on it. In 2002 it was still be driven daily in Boulder Colorado .

My 99 S70 has gone 145,000 miles with only one repair ( oxygen sensor)

 

I'd go with either the S70 or the 850... all a matter of style really since the two cars are practically the same. I own both and the 96' 850 has 218,000 and the 98' S70 has 170,000. Both incredibly robust cars and the repair has been so minimal.

-Ken

 

HELLO ALL NEW TO THE FORUM. I'VE WORKED FOR DEALER AS A MASTER TECH FOR 10 YRS, AND I CAN AGREE THE 240 OF GRANDMAS IS A GREAT CAR. BUT A 98 S70 EVEN BETTER CAR. MORE OPTIONS NOT TOO MAY PROBLEMS ( PLAN ON A ABS CONTROL UNIT IF HASENT BEEN REPLACED AND NO ETM ) AND OK MPG IN TURBO MODELS. BUT THERE AGAIN THATS JUS MY TWO CENTS...

 

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https://volvoforums.com/m_96122/tm.htm

 

Being a previous owner of a '91 240 andcurrently a '95 850TI am a fan of both body styles.
The 240's arethe moreboxey style but nice interior space with big windows, just a nice comfortable reliable ride and good gas mileage.I do enjoy seeing some of the modded 240's. The 850 ismuch sleeker, and with the turbo you getone specialfeature:fun.

 

i got a '92 960 >.< perfect

 

Your volvo was quite old but classy indeed. but does it functions well?

 

If you can find a low mileage 940 or 960 wagon that's been maintained, they're very good cars. The 960 has plenty HP, the 940, not so much, but adequate.