1995 Volvo 850 5 cylinder

Summary:

Great car - solid, reliable. I'd buy another in a heartbeat

Faults:

I had to get the front wheel bearings replaced last summer; one started to get noisy, so I replaced them both. The car is a lot quieter now.

No other maintenance.

General Comments:

Great car. We had a 1988 Camry previously (which my wife adored). When I drove the 850 home to let her drive it, she first thought it was big and boxy. After she climbed in the driver's seat she warmed up to it. After 20 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, she was hooked. She can see out of it better than her Camry (she's only 5' tall).

Nice cabin, lots of room, even with the rear seat back for my 6' frame I can sit in the back and not hit my knees on the seat back.

This non turbo is fast also. Not blindingly so off the line, but when you need to pass someone and need the engine at 55mph, it's there.

I love the 5 speed.

Nice handling, especially with the Michelin tires.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2001

5th Jun 2005, 21:41

You have mentioned you would by another in a heartbeat. I must disagree the 850 is expensive to maintain although it can be cheap if it is maintained properly. My suggestion is you should sell your 850 and by a BMW 3 series.

Or try the Honda accord a sense of luxury at a modern day price.

12th Nov 2005, 16:17

Responding the the previous comment, BMWs and Hondas are both expensive to fix compared to Volvo, not necessarily more reliable, and are more expensive to insure. No thanks!

2nd Sep 2006, 03:08

Good choice. I used to own a BMW and a Honda. Well, Honda was relatively good, except for that plastic interior... BMW 3 series had too many annoying problems, and was little claustrophobic on the inside, not enough room, even on the driver's seat. Volvo 850 is great choice, especially T5 version. Loads of room, great seats, reliable, loads of electrical goods, relatively cheap to maintain... Only bad thing on turbos is fuel consumption, if car is driven hard, other-vise it is a great car.

Oh, I'm currently on my 3rd Volvo (V70T5) and I'm very pleased with it, my previous Volvo was 850 T-5R estate.

6th May 2009, 14:23

I own a Volvo 850, a Honda Civic and a BMW 3 series. I would rather drive the Volvo any day. A comfortable ride, great seats, and wonderful handling, economical, but great acceleration. Both the Volvo and Honda require minimum routine maintenance so my ownership costs is minimal. My 2 teenage sons both rejected the much sexier and flawless looking BMW in favor of the more practical and comfortable Honda and Volvo to take with them off to college. Smart kids!!