Good car, but costly to repair
The biggest problem has been the air conditioning. Replacement of condenser requires significant work, including engine removal to get to the condenser. Cost was $1500 (over $2000 with dealership).
Goes through tires quickly.
Excellent if in an accident - only the other car is damaged, typically.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 30th June, 2006
If you have 3-7 grand buy one, it will treat you well
One of the few problems I have ever had is the battery from '97 is now dying. that is no problem, because it is no more than 80 bucks. so that aint much.
Also there is a cracked tie rod, normal wear and tear.
Awesome car, if you are looking to avoid the pump, I average 27 on just a hilly county highway, and on trips I have gotten 32.5mpg. down & back 260 (8 gallons) miles to NYC with 5 people and luggage people.
The car is awesome, no problems, the seats are insanely comfortable, the crash test results also speak for themselves.
The ride is a little hard, but its tolerable, actually its not that bad, the handling makes up for it though.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th March, 2006
Best security, performance and reliability for your money!
I bought it used aware that:
1.the car leaked oil.
2.drive axle joints were broken.
I took the risk and a reasonable discount from the previous owner. Definitely worth it.
No incidents in the 13500 miles I have used the car. The oil leak is reasonable (1 liter (quarter) / 1000 miles) and the axle joints still hold. Engine and transmission are running strong and smooth.
Contrary to other reviews, so far normal wear of tires and brake pads.
This car is the best use of $6000 I can imagine. 190 HP, leather seats, ultra-reliable and with safety features like side airbags difficult to find in used cars.
Engine runs very strong, with lots of spare power, transmission is smooth with sport/winter/econ mode. Leather seats, premium sound, wood and cruise control make it perfect for long road trips.
Reasons to buy one (my next car is going to be Volvo, now I am a believer) :
1.Used Volvos have a price/quality ratio hard to match by other luxury brands.
2.Unmatched security features (it is impossible to find a 1996 BMW, Mercedes or Audi equivalent with side airbags).
3.Breathtaking performance in a very discreet styling.
4.Bomb-proof reliability.
I love my turbo-brick!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd August, 2005
Love is complicated
Interior pieces don't hold up all that well, and I'm not "hard" on my cars. Console lights have gone out, the buttons for the AC and Recirculating-thing, all going, going, and...yep gone.
I absolutely love this car, but like that cute redhead in the sixth grade, the car doesn't seem to love me back. We put $2500 into susp, tires (Kumhos are fantastic on this car), brakes, a new timing belt and windshield. Still, there's another 2-3K left to put in to make this the ride I hoped for. If you buy this car be aware of the cost of repairs and look into doing as much as possible yourself. If you want comfort, this car has it in abundance. But if you're one of those folks that needs creature comforts, cup holders, interior lights, and so on, I would look at something less time consuming.
To be sure, one could do a lot worse than the Volvo 850 Wagon (base). I found that when this car was in running order it was the best car I've ever driven (including a test drive in a 540--the comfort level wasn't even close.) I'm a big guy (6', 225) and the seat didn't even wince. What's more, I was amazed that after 43K miles of driving, my wide load didn't do one thing to the bolster (the part of every car I wear out the fastest.)
My wife and I will trade this car and a Saturn in tomorrow for a lease on a Ford Escape, but I think if I weren't married I'd give Mulva a little more time.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th May, 2005
Best review I've read on here. I can tell you really expect to miss the car. Any update? How did the Ford work out?
Well, that was a few years ago, but we didn't end up getting the Ford. Instead, we kept the Volvo and hauled it back to North Dakota. Down, out of the mountains, performance improved significantly. It was like driving a Porsche -- or at least it felt that way.
In the end, the console piece was over $1000 to fix, so we traded the car in on a Chevy something, coupe. Whatever the car was everyone had in 2006 and no one remembers.
Miss the Volvo, but I don't think I would buy another, even though now I could probably afford the repairs. Cheers! :-)
19th Apr 2007, 09:59
Well-written. How's the Ford doing? I am thinking of buying this exact car, but after some of the comments on here, might pass. Sounds good, but costly. Thaks!