First post and first Volvo.
#1
08-16-2012, 11:33 PM
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First post and first Volvo.
After searching for a fun to drive 4 door European sedan for $3000 I finally found my mate.
Bought this 1996 850 Turbo with 123k on the clock from its original owner.. all for $2000. The body is almost perfect and the interior in decent shape with every option available in 96.. Brand new Pirelli tires as well. She drives smooth and was very surprisingly quick and responsive.
I am planning on giving her some new pieces to make her quicker and prettier. Just have to find a good Volvo mechanic here in Phoenix.. dont have the time to do it myself all the time..
Thanks for having me! More pics to come later..
Bought this 1996 850 Turbo with 123k on the clock from its original owner.. all for $2000. The body is almost perfect and the interior in decent shape with every option available in 96.. Brand new Pirelli tires as well. She drives smooth and was very surprisingly quick and responsive.
I am planning on giving her some new pieces to make her quicker and prettier. Just have to find a good Volvo mechanic here in Phoenix.. dont have the time to do it myself all the time..
Thanks for having me! More pics to come later..
Last edited by xszydx; 08-16-2012 at 11:36 PM. Reason: Pics not working
#4
08-16-2012, 11:57 PM
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#6
08-17-2012, 12:07 AM
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I need to take it to get the check engine light, well checked. (Owner said it comes on ond off at will, got reset all the time) get the timing belts looked at, get the turbo checked out
Oh and it burped a tiny bit of fuel when I filled it to the brim from under the car.. may have to replace a seal
#7
08-17-2012, 12:17 AM
#8
08-17-2012, 12:20 AM
my friend has the same car but in white color. he has on 18 inch rims. his car looks sooo good with projector headlights. always want to race me but keep telling him no because l am not the race type of guy.lol. you will learn a whole lot on this forum. you might end up DIY. l love working on my car.
#9
08-17-2012, 12:30 AM
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I believe they are 16's right now.. I do want to change the wheels. BBS style maybe, 10 spoke maybe, idk. But possibly lower a hair get the paint redone ( pic doesnt show all the sun spots) possibly black out the emblems and of course needs new tint
Only thing I cannot figure out (because I am lazy and dont want to go out to the car) is what model it is.. from what I could find is it is a base turbo. Because it only has one power/memory driver seat. But it has every option in the book other then that..
Only thing I cannot figure out (because I am lazy and dont want to go out to the car) is what model it is.. from what I could find is it is a base turbo. Because it only has one power/memory driver seat. But it has every option in the book other then that..
#11
08-17-2012, 12:49 AM
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#12
08-17-2012, 12:51 AM
Welcome aboard - you'll love it here. Read up on a lot of the FAQs - they have them for everything here, including maintenancde, repair, things to look for, etc. For parts, you can look several places, depending on what you are looking for. I usualy buy replacement parts from www.fcpgroton.com and performance parts from either www.ipdusa.com or www.vivaperformance.com. You'll learn the ropes of what's what for parts pretty quickly, and dont hesitate to ask if you have any questions - we all love our cars here and are more than happy to help you keep yours running strong for many years to come.
And by the way, your model is 850 turbo sedan. also known in Volvo circles as 854t ( 4 doors, turbo, vs 855t, which is the wagon) and should be a pretty good car for you, especially with such low mileage.
And by the way, your model is 850 turbo sedan. also known in Volvo circles as 854t ( 4 doors, turbo, vs 855t, which is the wagon) and should be a pretty good car for you, especially with such low mileage.
Last edited by rspi; 08-17-2012 at 05:39 AM. Reason: typo/links
#13
08-17-2012, 12:58 AM
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Welcome aboard - you'll love it here. Read up on a lot of the FAQs - they have them for everything here, including maintenancde, repair, things to look for, etc. For parts, you can look several places, depending on what you are looking for. I usualy buy replacement parts from fcpgroton.com and performance parts from either ipdusa.com or vivaperformance.com. You'll learn the ropes of what's what for parts pretty quickly, and dont hesitate to ask if you have any questions - we all love out cars here and are more than happy to help you keep yours running strong for many years to come.
And by the way, your model is 850 turbo sedan. also known in volvo circles as 854t ( 4 doors, turbo, vs 855t, which is the wagon) and should be a pretty good car for you, especially with such low mileage.
And by the way, your model is 850 turbo sedan. also known in volvo circles as 854t ( 4 doors, turbo, vs 855t, which is the wagon) and should be a pretty good car for you, especially with such low mileage.
Only have about $500 to throw at it now.. what to do?
#14
08-17-2012, 01:56 AM
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First, take your significant other out for a date night. Once you've put a smile on her face use what's left to do a basic tune up on your vehicle. First things first 
Do you have any history on maintenance on it? It's an interference engine which means that if the timing belt breaks the pistons slap the hell out of the valves and can do so to the point of turning the head into garbage. Timing belt and timing belt components are the number one thing to be concerned with. No history, do it right away for insurance against losing the motor.
Do you have any problems, concerns or leaks presently with it? Handles ok ?? Idles ok ?? Accelerates ?? Notice any smoke out of the oil dipstick tube with the stick pulled out at idle ??
Do you have any history on maintenance on it? It's an interference engine which means that if the timing belt breaks the pistons slap the hell out of the valves and can do so to the point of turning the head into garbage. Timing belt and timing belt components are the number one thing to be concerned with. No history, do it right away for insurance against losing the motor.
Do you have any problems, concerns or leaks presently with it? Handles ok ?? Idles ok ?? Accelerates ?? Notice any smoke out of the oil dipstick tube with the stick pulled out at idle ??
#15
08-17-2012, 03:29 AM
first two things I would do on it were it mine (and this is provided that they are due to be done/dont know for sure) is timing belt and PCV system. You can check the PCV system fairly easily - with the engine running, pull the oil dipstick tube out a little bit, if smoke/vapor starts coming out, you need to do the PCV system. As kiss mentioned, these are interference engines (even the turbo models) and as such, the timing belt is of utmost importance. Parts for the PCV system will set you back $100-140 or so, depending on model, and timing belt kits are in the $300-$350 range.
Since you mentioned the term "stage zero" I am assuming you read the FAQ, so you know what else is involved in getting there. You're already off to good start!
Since you mentioned the term "stage zero" I am assuming you read the FAQ, so you know what else is involved in getting there. You're already off to good start!
Last edited by rspi; 08-17-2012 at 05:42 AM. Reason: typo
#16
08-17-2012, 03:35 AM
Oh, and you had mentioned lowering it - I just did mine along with a complete rebuild of the suspension - shocks, struts, strut mounts, bearing plates, driveshafts, lower control arms, hub bearings, springs (H&Rs), and outer tie rod ends. Good times....okay not really, but the end result was SO worth it. Rides like a brand new car now.
As for wheels: To me, its tough getting wheels for cars that are gold/tan in color. Nothing looks right to me. Mine is black and I'm running the Volans (850R wheels) on mine. Shop around and see what you like. if you go to tirerack.com, they have a page where you can view what the wheels look like on the car, which is a pretty cool feature. Let us know how you're progressing!
As for wheels: To me, its tough getting wheels for cars that are gold/tan in color. Nothing looks right to me. Mine is black and I'm running the Volans (850R wheels) on mine. Shop around and see what you like. if you go to tirerack.com, they have a page where you can view what the wheels look like on the car, which is a pretty cool feature. Let us know how you're progressing!
Last edited by rspi; 08-17-2012 at 05:43 AM. Reason: typo
#17
08-17-2012, 05:47 AM
Hi and welcome to the site.
That is my favorite color, gold, pearl white, yellow, red, I would own any of them all day long. But there is something about that gold.
As most have said, the Timing Belt and PCV are the top two things to deal with. You may have seen the NEW 850 OWNER thread. Read that and you'll be way ahead of the game. Doing a little of the work will make you an owner not just the driver (as one woman put it). Focus on getting the mechanics straight before the looks. Nothing like having a nice new set of wheels sitting on the side of the road because of a blown heater hose.
Have fun!!!
That is my favorite color, gold, pearl white, yellow, red, I would own any of them all day long. But there is something about that gold.
As most have said, the Timing Belt and PCV are the top two things to deal with. You may have seen the NEW 850 OWNER thread. Read that and you'll be way ahead of the game. Doing a little of the work will make you an owner not just the driver (as one woman put it). Focus on getting the mechanics straight before the looks. Nothing like having a nice new set of wheels sitting on the side of the road because of a blown heater hose.
Have fun!!!
#19
08-17-2012, 08:28 AM
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The only cars I have seen with dual power seats are 'R' models. Almost all Volvos are well equipped. I have only seen two that did not have power windows. Basically if you have wood trim your not a base model.
Take that money and do a Stage 0
Take that money and do a Stage 0
Last edited by boxpin; 08-17-2012 at 08:30 AM.
#20
08-17-2012, 08:35 AM
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I would, but I'm pretty sure a stage 0 is gonna cost me way more than $500 haha