Faults:

Starter needed replacement at 187,000 miles.

Odometer quit working (known problem in these cars) and was replaced immediately.

Air conditioning system needed $225.00 of work at 189,000 miles.

General Comments:

This vehicle has no doubt been reliable. I have not had to put a lot of work into it, and when I have, it has not been troublesome.

Besides reliability, this car is comfortable. The interior though somewhat outdated is functional and well made. The seats support occupants well, even after hours of driving you don't ache when you get out. The sound system with eight speakers sounds great and is enjoyable. I have noticed that inside the car rattles and squeaks abundantly when on rough roads, but the benefits outweigh the small irritations.

The exterior of the car has held up very well, very few cars compare to this at almost 200,000 miles. The paint Volvo uses is very durable, and still catches people's eye when it drives by. The under body is durable and strong, even after years of northern weather conditions it has proved to be one of the best.

Driving the car is fun and enjoyable. It handles well and corners nicely. It does ride a little stiff compared to other vehicles in this class. Fuel economy is respectable, I achieve 26 mpg on average.

The engine is responsive and accelerates quickly, passing is no problem, as the gearbox responds quickly to achieve a downshift. Braking is solid and controlled even on roads with snow and ice.

Faults:

The "Service" light has been stuck on and various mechanics cannot turn it off.

Headlight wiper broke.

Lower gas mileage than expected (about 17 mpg, city)

Broken electrical seat recliner.

Antenna motor is stripped.

General Comments:

I have had my Volvo 850 GLT for almost a year now and I have very few complaints. There are only minor problems that are understandable for a 12-year-old vehicle such as a broken seat recliner and stripped antenna motor. But they don't stop the car from running.

Great stock stereo system that makes all my friends jealous.

Strong engine that shows no signs of slowing down or quitting... starts every time.

Comfortable seats.

Heat and A/C work great.

Faults:

At around 190,000 I had a problem with the transmission, burnt up the fluid and possibly ruined the internal gaskets, BUT!! It didn't break down, it still drove me home and drove to the mechanic!! It didn't leave me stranded!!! Leather seats started going bad around 150,000 miles. Sensors started going bad around 150,000 too, but still runs perfect!!

General Comments:

These cars are engineered to keep functioning no matter what. That's what I love about them. Despite the few problems I've had, its nothing unexpected for a car with 200,000 miles. The engine has never ever had any problems to this day. Highly recommend a Volvo.

Faults:

I had to replace the ignition switch when it started shorting out the lights right after I bought it. Simple, inexpensive fix.

I get the "Check Engine" light when the weather is warm; probably a sensor.

General Comments:

I love this car. It's got performance, refinement, and safety all in one package.

You really can't beat Volvos for safety... this thing is a tank. It was one of the first cars to have side airbags, and the frame makes it practically unstoppable. Cars don't get much more solid than this.

It's surprisingly nimble and handles very well for a car as heavy as it is, and the turbocharged engine puts out good power, which has surprised a few Civic drivers who thought they'd try to beat my "brick" off the line. It gets decent mileage, to boot.

The 850 looks pretty nice... not stunning, but far from unattractive. The styling is conservative, but I wouldn't quite call it boring. It does hide the car's performance, though, as mentioned above. I've gotten a few impressed stares and "nice car" comments. The interior is roomy, comfortable, and well-designed, though it might take a few days to get used to the position of some of the controls after transitioning from a domestic car.

In a nutshell, this is a great car. I think the only real downside is that parts can be expensive because it's an import, but if you know where to look, you can get them for less than a dealer will charge. That said, this car is practical and fun to drive, and has some nice creature comforts you might expect to pay a lot more for. It's got power on tap when you want it, and even manages to turn a head or two. Not bad for a "brick."