1993 Volvo 850 GLT 2.4 liter 5 cylinder from North America
Summary:
Nickname:
Faults:
Basically everything! I don't know what the previous owner did with this car, but we purchased it at 140,000 miles when it was only about five years old. At first, we had an electrical problem when the car would start up and run and then it wouldn't start up. Or, it would start up and idle rough. A few minor problems came next. Later, the exhaust and catalytic converter went and had to be completely replaced. Next, came the transmission. The most recent problem was the timing belt breaking. This caused part of the engine to be severely damaged and had to be rebuilt. Now, the car makes, literally, about 20 different squeaks, rattles, phantom sounds, and other noises that are not appealing. The average cost to fix each item that went wrong was about 900 to 1000 dollars. There are most likely a few other major fixes that I have thankfully forgotten.
General Comments:
However, the car has great performance and is excellent when it's running. It's also very comfortable and nice looking. I generally love Volvo and would expect nothing of this from them. I think it's a bad year. (1993 being the first year that they came out with the 5 Cyl. 850)
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th June, 2003
17th Jul 2004, 06:21
My 94 850 would stall every blue moon too. Rough idle. Then about 6 mos later on the freeway the fuel pump died. This is Volvo warning change the pump. Very easy to do.
23rd Jul 2004, 23:44
From writer of review: By the way, it's supposed to say nickname: "Christine" at the top. It messed up when I wrote it and I was unable to fix it.
8th Jun 2006, 13:44
For the person who wrote about everything going wrong with the car, here are a few things to consider. 1) If scheduled maintenance is performed a lot of these items wouldn't happen. 2) At 140k a car is going to need a little bit of work-it is inevitable, even in Japanese cars. 3) It is normally recommended in ANY car that the timing belt/chain be replaced between 80-100k to PREVENT the engine from being rebuilt due to it breaking. 4) Crap happens.
29th Jul 2003, 10:03
I also have a 93 850 GLT, my idle is rough too, only in towns not on open road (at stops, etc) does it idle rough, it stalled a few times, the mechanic said the diagnostic showed it needed a new throttle body which was replaced, but it still runs the same. What did you find out, some say I need to clean the fuel injectors or change the spark plugs in the condenser. I'm anxious to know the problem. Thanks. Jeff.