General Comments:
It has decent pickup for an old Volvo. High-end acceleration is surprising as well. Cruises at 115mph very .
The steering is very steady and responsive in good driving conditions. Excellent for long highway trips. Rear wheel drive combined with the weight of the car means that it won't respond well at all in the snow. If you accelerate at all while the wheel isn't perfectly straight, it fishtails almost immediately, even with snow tires.
The body has aged very well. No rust at all.
It is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have not had one mechanical issue with it in the entire time I have owned it.
I have been in two accidents with it. Once in a foot of snow I slid into a telephone pole at 20mph. The car bounced off. I was fairly shook up, but the only damage was a broken blinker. I literally backed up and drove away. The other time I skidded off a trail in the woods and hit a tree at 15mph. I dragged it back onto the trail and drove away. Very impressive.
Interior is practical and nice. Heated seats big plus.
Gas mileage averages about 21 - 24.
28th May 2006, 12:01
I differ with this review ONLY in the performance of the VOLVO wagon in the snow. I LOVE my Volvo in the snow!! With chains I can literally and quite easily go any where a 4x4 truck or SUV can go. Put her in low and go!! I run 195's which are one size up from factory issue. It is a light truck tire. It gives me more clearance and I can also get beefier snow tires for getting home to my mountain top cabin. I LOVE IT!! I have had several aged, but sturdy wagons over the course of 20+ years. We just purchased a 91 for $2,400 and it rocks!! MUCH more comfortable and dependable than the rinky-dink new, and newer used vehicles out there... THE ONLY con 4 me has been driving the bumpy back roads and using her like a ranch truck tends to wear everything out except the engine, running gear and transmission..ie: doors (broken or difficult opening typical), power window issues, seat belts barely or poorly functioning.. plus LOTS of squeaks and rattles... all typical volvo problems.