1993 Volvo 850 SE 2.0 20V petrol

Summary:

The 850 is a great used buy that will last

Faults:

There was a slight knocking noise from the front suspension that turned out to be the front anti roll bar bushes. Did not affect the handling, but just an annoying rattling noise. Dead easy to replace on the driveway though talking a couple of hours.

Also the Battery failed during the cold weather, but can't really blame Volvo for that as it was a non genuine item.

General Comments:

I think it's a nice looking car, even if some people think it's a bit square and boxy.

Getting used to it now and love it.Quick, smooth and comfortable great to drive and feels really solid. If the worst did happen I would be glad I was inside the 850,it feels really safe. DIY maintenance seems OK so far and the manuals provided with the car are well detailed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2004

1993 Volvo 850 GLT 2.5 20v

Summary:

Comfortable, reliable, durable

Faults:

Battery problems, though the fault was with a cheap Kwik-Fit battery; in other words I don't really blame the car.

One of the rear brakes jammed requiring a new caliper. Volvo agreed to pay half the cost.

The gas struts on the boot lid failed.

Other than that there was just routine stuff, so the car was pretty reliable.

General Comments:

This was, and is, my first Volvo. Before I test drove one I didn't think much of them, but compared to the BMW I had previously the 850 was very nice and very comfortable indeed. When I first got the car it was aged three with average mileage and it felt just like new. Today it is slightly over 10 and it still doesn't really feel or look much different. The leather seats are great, specially with children, and the built-in booster seat has been in daily use for all that time. The odd thing about this car was that ergonomically it felt right from the word go. Everything is where you expect it to be, and for the most part it just continues to work. Dealer service costs are high, but I get peace of mind. It is incredibly relaxing to drive on long journeys, and the amount of space helps to keep the family happy.

The engine can be a bit rough when pushed hard, but in general the 2.5 20v gives the car a reasonable turn of speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2003

1993 Volvo 850 GLT 2.0 20V

Summary:

This car feels like I will last Forever!

Faults:

One bulb has needed replacing. That's it.

General Comments:

Excellent so far in the month I have had it!

I can't compare this car to my previous Vauxhall Vectra as it's just impossible, the Volvo 850 superseeds it in every way. I bought the car from a friend who had had it from new without any problems AT ALL and has full service history.

I am quite a high mileage driver, mostly motorway driving, and the 850 is excellent and very comfortable.

It has reasonably good acceleration for a car weighing nearly 2 tons with a 2LTR engine, but from 60 on-wards it fly's.

It is built like a tank, but also quite sporty to drive which was a welcome surprise.

Finish and build is the best I've seen, just watch out for front tire wear, you'll get about 8-10,000 from the front ones, and it does pay to get good rubber, I use Continental Eco-Contact.

Overall and excellent buy for me, I had a unreliable V plate Vectra that was in the garage more than I was driving it, got a loan of the Volvo and well bought it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd January, 2003

1st Mar 2003, 10:13

I have now covered more than 15,000 miles since I got this car and completed a 1200 mile round trip in days and completely and utterly without fault.

To date I have replaced 2 rear tyres, had the car serviced which showed nothing wrong. I have changed the oil with Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil to pro-long engine life further, biggest benefit is although the engine purred away before it is noticeably quieter and smoother.

Average fuel consumption is 32.8 mpg which is impressive I think, although it was 30.6mpg before I put the Mobil 1 oil into the engine.

The car has now covered 116,565 miles and is still in perfect condition.

I recommend these cars to anyone, fuel consumption might be a little higher, but you won't get any other faults.

30th Jan 2004, 10:54

Please can you give me your honest evaluation for fuel consumption on this particular model, as I drive 500km on motorways every week, and the conflicting reviews on fuel consumption are not very helpful to a potential purchaser of a 1993 850 GLT.

Many thanks in advance.

Christian DODD.

13th Jun 2006, 16:41

I have just purchased a very fine looking 850 GLT 2 ltr, 1994 but looks almost new. 97,000 warranted miles drives OK, but my other car is a BMW so performance is not the biggest point, but I did not buy it for that.

Here is the problem - a whine noise that seems to come from clutch area. When you press clutch pedal, it changes pitch. Any comments would be grateful.

Peter.

25th Jul 2009, 03:15

I'm going to travel 2000 miles total (there and back). My mom is telling me my car will make there, but it may not make it back, and I want to know from someone who knows a lot about cars, if it can travel that far and still run good after, because I go to two different schools and I really need this car. It has 166000 miles on it, and it has had a new transmission put in it. Thank you very much.