My wife and I are considering a 1994 850 turbo station wagon with 154,000 miles, price $3800. In the past have owned 740, 860 and 240s with great reliability. Can any one tell me if there are some weak links with this car? The 5 cylinder engine seems strange concept. Any advice on things I should check for would be very much appreciated.

 

My wife and I own a 97 850GLT turbo sedan. It's a good choice! The most common weak link is the ABS control module; if it hasn't gone out and been replaced at 154,000 miles, I would expect it to go soon. The car is still driveable if it goes out, you just won't have traction control or ABS. It's around $800 at a dealer, $350 if you find the link on here to the guy that repairs them on his own.

I'm also finding out the A/C evaporator is known to go bad... (which ours might be at 140,000mi). That's a costly repair, $1200 at a dealer, so check the A/C thoroughly.

Everything else seems to be pretty solid. Our Volvo has been great so far. I'm sure others more knowledgeable will chime in soon. They've helped me a ton with our Volvo, so if you do get it, you'll have help here for sure!

 

Make sure that car has service records and pay for a pre-purchase inspection before buying it, and have it done by somebody who knows Volvos. Like a dealer or independent Volvo mechanic. $3800 for a 94 with 154k on it is a little high, but if well serviced and has new tires and the timing belt has been changed recently, it's a reasonable price. Another thing known to go wrong is the A/C evaportator. Ask if the it ever needs recharged, and if so I would stay away for that price. The evaporator runs about $1300-$1500 to replace, and if it is needing recharged it's probably bad. Ask if it's been recharged very casually so as to not tip them off how important their answer will be. Many will recharge it just to sell and say it need a recharge once a season. It should never need a recharge.

 

Thanks for your replies

What’s with the five cylinder engine? Are there any issues?

 

Our's hasn't had any issues to date. I was skeptical myself, coming from GM V8's and V6's. But I really like the quirky 5 cylinder. I love the way it sounds when you get on it, say, getting onto the interstate. And the mileage is pretty good too. We're averaging 18-20 in town and 28-30 on the highway. Hopefully after our tune up, it'll stay on the top end and be 20 city, 30 hwy.

Keep up on the maintenance, timing belt every 70,000 and I hear these motors go 200,000 + without a hitch.

 

I think you can negotiate the price. I bought my 95 wagon with 130k miles on it. It is in pretty good condition for $3000. It did need the timing belt replaced tho. I think you should work the price down considering its a 94 and because the miles are a bit to the higher side. Maybe a little closer to $3000 sounds good. Also make sure the timing belt is done. With that much mileage, it should have been done at least 15k miles ago, otherwise you will be spending a good $800 to replace it. Good luck!

 

Volvo isnt the only one with a 5 cylinder engine. I belive the Acura Vigor also came with a 5 cylinder engine. I think its unique and different. Neither a small 4, neither a 6. It definately makes power like the V8s andsounds great once you get on that turbo. Very reliable as well as long as you keep up with the maintenance. One of the easier cars that I have worked on as well. Check to see if the wagon has a 3rd seat which is a very very great add on for trips when you have more than 5 passengers.

 

Hi Paul,

This thread may give you some ideas to servicing a 850:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

I too, would try not knock $200-$300 off if they're willing to negotiate. But when it comes to buying 850s, you can't go wrong with JimKW's suggestions.

Good luck,


JPN

 

94 was not known to have the ABS problems of later years. I'm on the orgininal one with 213K on the clock.
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