1994 Volvo 850 Turbo Gasoline

Summary:

I Will never buy another Volvo again

Faults:

Oil cooling system needed replacing - $2000 US

Reverse lighting mechanism $300

Something with the emissions and exhaust cooling the turbo $700

The springs holding the hatch don't work when it's cold - haven't replaced them

Need a second key pad FOB - haven't replaced $25

Heat/defrost don't work when it drops below a certain temperature outside. Factory unit replacement only

Other items that I have had to have worked on keep cropping up. Check engine light stays on regularly

Spark plug mis-fired, caused a molded plastic part to pop off from the intake system - $500 + towing

Cruise Control doesn't work, afraid to ask how much that will be to fix.

Headlight wipers don't work, no idea why or how to fix, if it is even worth it.

General Comments:

I hate this car.

I purchased it for $4500 from a person who had maintained it and have had to put more than $3000 in to it.

When it runs, it runs smooth and handles OK, not great.

The cabin layout is horrible for women or shorter people.

Very bad blind spots and mirror & window controls are in the center between the seats with no way to lock them. Every time I forget and accidentally set my purse down there (a logical place) the mirrors move and my blind spots get worse. If I have to open the window and there is a cup in the cup holder, I have to bend my wrist at a very painful and un-intuitive angle to reach the button.

Hazard lights and cruise control buttons are directly behind the steering wheel so to find them I have to take my eyes off the road and really search around to find them.

The winter setting does work well on icy roads when the road is a sheet of ice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th December, 2006

13th Feb 2007, 23:17

You just got a 850 that was not well taking care of. They are one of the best cars you can buy for the money. Have one myself; great car, has 186000 miles, run better than my wife's new car. If any one is looking to buy a Volvo 850t or 850 GLT, 1994 to 1996 are the best, 1997 to 1999 changed CPU, not a good move. 2000 S70 on are good cars too. I have had 3 850 GLTs, this is my first 850t, so far so good.

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1994 Volvo 850 GLE turbo

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

Nothing, just one small oil leak that went away on it's own.

General Comments:

I love this car. I bought this car from my neighbor in 2002. He took great care of it as do I. It runs great, quiet, and looks and feels, and runs like new. Most people can't believe it is 11 years old and has 162,000 miles. I would definetly buy another Volvo when the time comes to buy a new car. No maintenace problems only the regular wear and tear of tires and brakes and oil changes.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th May, 2005

12th Feb 2006, 15:37

I have one and I love it got it at 38000 miles and I trust to go anywhere.

12th Mar 2006, 14:01

These 850's are less reliable, more expensive to repair/maintain, and more fickle for maintenance than the older rear-wheel driver 4cyl Volvos (240/740/760/940), BUT they are still longer lasting and more reliable than the average car. Just keep up the regular maintenance schedule, change the rear main seal around 100k, and don't drive it like a race car. It'll last for 200k+ miles on the original engine and transmission.

2nd Sep 2006, 17:29

I got my 94 Volvo 850 in 1996. The original owner took great care of it. Last month (Aug 2006) I gifted it to my son who lives in Colorado. He flew to Miami and drove it back to Evergreen without any troubles.

There is a minor air condioning problem, but it should be easy to fix.

The South Florida heat was not good for the plastic hooks that keep the instrument panel in place. So, we have some rattles, but who cares.

Before giving it to my son, I replaced the rear main oil seal and put in a new clutch.

The car has around 200K miles and does not burn oil. There is no rust and otherwise it runs great. That five cyl engine is amazing!