I recently just rescued a 95 volvo 850 2.3l Turbo with every option imaginable (more than my fully loaded land rover discovery) from the wrecking yard (it was free, we own the wrecking yard, haha).

Total Cost so far : $0

Cons:

Was a stolen vehicle:
1. Driver's side door was pried open with a crowbar and driver's side rear door was damaged in the front because it was used for leverage (so need 2 new doors, color matched)
2. No key ($35 from dealer)
3. No idea if it runs or moves. (?????? checked all fluids, everything is fine, looked for leaks - none)
4. Interior is spotless and perfect
5. 184,000 miles on odometer



Pro's:
1. Little bit comfier ride than my '64 baja bug
2. Brand new tires
3. Free and I own it..


Just looking to get some feedback - I just poured about $3 grand into a 95 discovery (including purchase of vehicle to get it into optimal shape for a good 3-4 years for my wife.)

Now I'm looking for something, that I can drive.

 

Will post pictures in 2 hours, if you guys are interested in getting a look at it before you vote.

I've never owned a Volvo before but i'm IN LOVE with luxury cars now.

I'm 21 years old, married, i've owned 52 cars (this being my 52nd) and have driven everything from 18" lifted chevy's to drag racing trucks, and trans ams, buggies, mg's, austin-healeys, harleys, hayabusa, and most recently baja bug and land rover.

Since I purchased the land rover i've fallen in love with comfort and style, and am looking forward to owning a volvo 850 Turbo, I just want to know if this is the one!!! Money is no object, I do all the work myself and I come by parts easily.

Thanks for your time guys/gals !

 

Just called my parts guy and I can get both doors, color matched, with glass, for $56 each.

And a motor for $205

So it would cost me:

Gas: $100
Motor: $205
Doors: $112

Not including random hoses that could be bad or belts i'd change while motor is out of car.

 

Did you find out the motor is bad?
I would say keep it.

 

I have no idea what condition the motor is in, since it's showing signs of being stolen (prybar, beer cans, and stereo missing) I bet it was driven hard (from California to Oregon, where I'm at) It was an abandoned vehicle we towed off the side of the road.

I'm gonna try and get this motor to start as soon as I get a key (just parked this volvo in my driveway last nite, finally own it 30 days later). I hate changing motors......

Seems they drove for a bit with the oil filler cap off , you can see a stained mess up above on the hood liner where it would have sprayed for a bit, but when we picked it up, the cap was on.

Also it was owned by a highschool girl probably, was a Hawaiian Lei on the rear view mirror and her biology notes in the console, haha

Might have been having a problem when she owned it because there is a brand new fuel filter in the backseat, it would be funny if it was abandoned because the filter was plugged ... I can hope..

I'm leaning towards keeping it and fixing it up I just wanted some opinions from you volvo owners.

I have found out that my Land Rover is extremely high maintenance and expensive to run (premium only and synthetic only, and expensive routine maintenance)

 

I voted to keep the bug and fix it up slowly. Sounds like you have the means and the know how to fix it up as least expensive as possible, and the car is definitely fixable.

 

Is it worth keeping ?

Maint wise and driveability?

Known issues?

Let me pick your brain, [8D]

 

The White car in the Sig pic below has 220,000 miles on it now.
Check your Pm's

 

I´d say keep it, mainly due to the perfect interior. These cars are fun to drive and mod.

 

Ended up hotwiring the car [8D]and the starter wouldn't turn over and started smoking a bit from the back of the starter

so either

A) Starter is shot
B) Motor is froze

here is a few pics I snapped not to long ago ..

 

Easy way to find out if the motor is frozen: Open hood, remove all five spark plugs. Next, jack up front of car (put on jack stands for safety) and pull off right front wheel.Puull back flap of inner fender liner to access crankshaft pully bolt. Put a big a** wrench on the bolt and try to turn to motor over by hand. If you can get it to turn over smoothly for at least8-10 fuill revolutions of the crankshaft, I would asssume the motr turns free, not bent valves, timing set correctly, etc.....

Final step if the motor turns free, send it to Washington State and I will meet you to pick it up <grin> Seriously, I would keep it.

 

Haha where are you up there if I decide to sell it :P

but yah ty for the advice, i'm jacking up the front of the car in the next 10 minutes and am going to do exactly what you said.

 

Good luck. Let us know the outcome!

 

Haven't done anything to it, just got a 92 corvette that needed a distributor, so I might be selling the volvo ...

you interested ?

pm me

 

I've never had a more comfortable car than my 850, and I've owned 25 cars and trucks. If you can throw the whole package together for the prices you quoted above, I think you're crazy not to. You'll enjoy the car once you've got it running well. My brother had a Landrover as well, and you're right, ridiculously expensive to operate. They are comfortable, but I'll tell you that he sold it a couple of years ago and didn't miss it a lot. He just bought a new XC70 after my experience with my 850, and he'd be the first to tell you that the XC70 is more comfortable.

Yes, maintenance is more than a honda, but not extraordinarily so. Hondas don't drive as nice in my opinion, nor do they have the character or presence of a European car. As for known issues, every car has them. Spend some time reading through the pinned posts at the top of the forum.

 

Put the 850 up for sale around $750 and had 10 phone calls within 20 minutes of it being posted, wife yelled at me and deleted the posting, so I guess i'm keeping it. I found 2 cars with doors I could replace mine with but they are burgundy and blue, haha .....

I guess i'll just hold out on the doors and start doing motor work. Is there any suggestions on what to do first with it ?

Was considering a rebuild and turning this into a quick-grocery getter .. It kinda bothers me it gets almost 30 mpg [8D]i'm going for more like 20 ....

I'll put a starter and new battery and go from there, thanks guys

 

Keep us posted on the progress you won't regret keeping it.

 

Ditto!

 

I ripped off both doors, and ripped out the motor .. Tore off the head and there was coolant resting in cylinder number 3 (from the left) good thing I did that before I bought a starter :P

I was considering rebuilding the motor and can't seem to find a company that sells quality parts, was considering putting stronger pistons in for higher boost, am open to opinions on companies (preferably with websites i can browse(

(sold the bug and corvette btw, )

 

If you really want to spend $$$$ they are expensive here is a site.
http://www.volvomotorsports.com/catalog/

Let us know what you decide.