Faults:

Continuing problem with emission sensor warning light. Six visits to dealer to rectify!

Lost second gear, requiring new gearbox (scarp yard). Engine is too strong for gearbox, especially if someone's been hot rodding. Volo service is aware, but didn't let on.

Front tire wear.

General Comments:

Fabulous drive. A butt clenching rocket, that will blow off most anything under $75K.

Beware of turbo torque thrust under punched low gear acceleration. The amount of torque is enormous and being front wheel drive she'll twitch for a second. Very easily handled, but scares the hell out of you at first when you don't know it's coming.

Don't buy anything over 100k miles. The computer which help make this a wonderful car starts to play up after living in the hostile realms of the engine bay. Buy low mileage and have a couple of wonderful years, then get shod of it before the boogie men come.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is quick and handles beautifully.

However, although the acceleration is good, the real power only kicks in at approximately 1500 to 2000 revs with this model.

Although the cabin accessories are simple to look at, they are very well made, and plentiful.

The accessories include heated seats, electric and heated mirrors and electric windows, however only the passenger side mirror is electric and the tilt and slide sunroof is manual, maybe this is Volvo's way of separating the models.

The car is very spacious in both front and rear cabins and the boot.

One of the best things with this car is it's towing power and the very good economy whether towing or not.

Faults:

One minor problem, locked out of glove box & had to break in causing some damage.

General Comments:

After having several models: 1 340, 2 240's, 2 740's & 1 940, the 850 is by far the best. Having covered nearly 115K miles it's still as good as the day I got it. This model has surely has got other drivers thinking where the old man image has went to. I'm now in the process of purchasing a V70 as a replacement. All round I haven't found a car that gives the same quality & service costs in its class. As a reasonable young driver (35), more people should have a test drive.