Hi guys,
Im really interested in buying a 850 Turbo but for my tight budget i would only get somewhere between 120-160k miles. Im just need some info from your guys before i get one, please help me out.
1. Is it reliable? (Compare to Jap cars)
2. Are the parts really expensive? ( double-triple priced compare to Jap cars)
3. Have they ever made MT for 850 turbo, couldnt find one?
4. AT is durable?
5. Is there any common brake down for this model beside tech meter?
Ive cut all the Jap car out of my choices and going to focus on 850 only but all the above questions are really in my mind.
Thanks so much
Paul

 

So in summation really.

The difference between Volvo and Japanese cars is:
-Luxury element (Cloth vs Leather)
-Power (Turbo vs N/A) - I love my Turbo.
-Maintenance schedule - Volvos are very very picky about maintenance and getting it done on time and correctly.
-Gas mileage (maybe) - The turbos use a lot of gas, but if you do a lot of highway, you can get good gas mileage. I do mostly short distance driving, so my mileage is trash (18-20 mpg) but there have been people who've posted on here who get around 26-30+. It depends a lot on how you drive and where you drive.
-Price. For $3500, there is no way in hell I would have gotten a Japanese car w/ 124k miles. It'd be 160k miles at least (and that seems conservative).


If you do all the maintenance/car work yourself, I do not think the cost of owning this car is too rediculous. Plus, they are MUCH cheaper and give a bigger "bang for the buck".

For reference, I got my 850 Turbo w/ 124k miles for $3500 and even then I overpaid slighly.

 

Thanks for your very helpful info.
Since ive been interesting in turbo engine car, there is another choice for me. Saab 900 turbo with MT. What do you think?
Thanks

 

^Go to a Saab forum and find out. I can't give you any technical info about common problems, but I can relate what I know somewhat about Saab.

When I was buying a car, I actulaly went to a car dealer (buys various cars and sells them), and he recommended a couple cars, but among them was the Saab 900. The owner was a Volvo dealer for 10+ years, and I assume he knew his stuff about Swedish cars.

One thing that i'm noticing about the 900, is that it seems kind of underpowered for a Turbo car.. 185 HP i4 w/ 196 torque.

 

I always wanted a Volvo since I saw the 850 competing in the BTCC back in the 90's

To be honest, I was truly scared of getting this car because you know how costly BMW parts can be for example, and never having owned a Volvo I didn't know what I was getting into.

Maintenance, compared to a Jap car, is a breeze really, and no more difficult. I used to have an 04 WRX STi before and to be honest, servicing the Volvo is a lot, lot easier (well, no point in comparing a boxer 4 with an inline-5, but anyways).

For parts, you can always go to eBay. For example, when I bought my 850, the wipers didn't work, so I got a wiper motor + wiper transmission off eBay from an S70, and got it for $50. Very easy DIY, comparing to what a Volvo dealer will charge you, $800 to repair it.

What I love about this Volvo, is that I can find decent quality parts in any autoparts store. I don't think I can do that with my S2000 for example

If you do all your maintenance and repairs yourself, the 850 would be no different from a Japanese car.

 

^100%. The parts are slightly more expensive, but most parts between the 850/S70/V70 are all interchangeable.

And honestly, imo, a BMW isn't that bad as long as you do all the work yourself.

And before I forget, to add to the reliability stuff (I learned this from the guy who told me about the car w/ 375k miles), the current transmission/motor in the S40 is based on the 850.

 

Hi Jiggadude,

Greetings from Yokohama, Jap[8D].

Here's my personal opinion:

1. Is it reliable? (Compare to Jap cars) :
850s are generally reliable, largely depending on how the previous owner took care of it. But note, 850s have some chronic problems such as faulty ABS module ('96-'97 units can be repaired & upgraded for approx, US $100, whereas '95 or older units have to be replaced or repaired by yourself), A/C evaporator (Genuine unit seems defective, aftermarket units seem more reliable), etc...

2. Are the parts really expensive? ( double-triple priced compare to Jap cars):
As far as I remember, parts for 850 are not double compared to Jap cars, they're probably 30-40% more in general, unless you compare with Lexus, Acura, etc... I would say the parts are not cheap but not hideously expensive, though it depends on what parts you need. Doing the work on your own can save $ drastically but maintenance manuals are a must.

3. Have they ever made MT for 850 turbo, couldn't find one? :
I believe they did. A gentleman by the name of Moderator Tech or JimKW could give you accurate info on this.

4. AT is durable? :
Generally it is, I believe they're manufactured by Aisin (Aisin Warner AW), which is the major tranny supplier for Toyota. But the fluid level & condition must strictly be maintained, or they go south quickly. 850 uses Dexron-III/Mercon.

5. Is there any common brake down for this model beside tech meter? :
Did you mean odometer? Yes there are some common/chronic problems:
1. ABS module.
2. A/C Evaporator.
3. A/C compressor (needs to be re-shimmed).
4. O2 sensors.
5. Camshaft Position Sensor (not always).
6. Various noise in cabin (mostly due to hard suspension & loose interior trim pieces)
7. Various codes for engine, ABS & climate control (auto).
8. Rear brake squeal (cured by using half shims for the pads or applying molybdenum/silicone based grease).
9. Front suspension components, usually the upper spring seats & sway bar link rods.
10. Etc...(any car has its own problems, even Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Caddies, etc...).

Before actually paying, make sure to take it to your mechanic or Volvo dealer/shops that specialise in Swedish/European makes for pre-purchase inspection.

I hope this is of some use.

Regards,


JAP/JPN

 

Jigga. If your budget is slightly higher, consider an S70. Don't quote me on this, but I think they came in Turbo manual. They are the same as 850s except for some slight cosmetic changes.

 

Hi RedTurbo850,

Your learning curve has been really sharp, ever since you joined this forum. I'm glad that you're learning these cars so fast. Your effort reminds me of my first college days, when I used to have '88 Accord LX-i.

Keep up,


JPN

Edit: The ABS module on '95 & '94 also fail often (not sure about '93 but I assume they're the same units as '94). Mine failed, as well as many others'. This is due to poor soldering on the circuit board, especially on the pins for connectors. Vibration & heat do these damage. Re-soldering the circuit board seems to cure these problems for good.

FYI: https://volvoforums.com/m_58856/tm.htm

 

^lol.

I've just spent so much time reading up and really trying to get this car in stage 0 shape, that I've picked up some of these things.

But I'm decent w/ problems on the surface, but if the discussion were to get very very technical, I wouldn't be able to really keep up.

 

Personally I think a person is a little sick if they LOVE a car. Just not a word I used to describe my feeling for a piece of machinery. That being said I have owned seven Volvo's in the past 27 years. I currently have three of them and all turbo models Two of them, the Yellow 95 850 T5R and the White with Charcoal 97 850 R, are pretty hard to find cars.

I think the comparison others have done here versus Japanese cars is accurate. I think maintaining a Lexus, Infinity or Acura will be comparable to maintaining a Volvo as far as cost is concerned. A Honda Civic of Toyota Corolla would be cheaper to maintain, but look at what you're getting.