1997 Volvo 960 2.5 b6254s from India

Summary:

I would again buy a Volvo XC90 this time

Faults:

Radiator use to leak, so I got a new one shipped from Braydon Motors UK; cost about 114 pounds + DHL charges.

Apart from that, the car is like new; it feels better than my 2007 model Elantra.

I always wanted something could give me the big, bulky American beauty feel, along with reliability and peace of mind, and this car does it all...

General Comments:

This is a sedan that you can't push around corners, but it's a car that's supposed to be driven with a lot of respect. It has the power when you need it, and I simply am in love with it, as India usually has the Japanese cars, so this is one attention seeker on the roads.. I feel good about this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2010

1997 Volvo 960 from North America

Summary:

Good

Faults:

Heater coil had to be replaced.

A/C will not work under acceleration due to vacuum constraints.

Never open the sunroof.

General Comments:

Love this car on long trips. Seats are very comfortable.

There appears to be no drain plug on the differential. If so, how do you change the fluid?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2010

1997 Volvo 960 Estate 3.0 24 Valve from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Like driving a comfy armchair down the road

Faults:

Radiator top connector cracked... A common fault I have found out!

Aircon is variable, certainly under acceleration, another common problem.

The bumpers are scuffed!

Plastic trim cracks...

General Comments:

This is the top end of the Volvo Marque, a 3 litre engine that just DRINKS petrol :-(

But I love it so much... I look at it longingly thinking what a lovely car that cost me £570 on EBay, and it cost someone £27000 brand new!!!

Leather seats like a favourite armchair, cruise control that just eats up the miles, a great turning circle and a great feeling of safety and security...

I loved my 850 with 225,000 miles, and I shall keep this one as long as it keeps going.

The radiator went on a short journey, so that was lucky, and then I found another water hose just about to go under the car near the oil filter, which I spotted when doing an oil change.

QUICK TIP! Change your oil every 3000 miles at high mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd June, 2009

1997 Volvo 960 LX from North America

Summary:

Well made reliabe family wagon

Faults:

Air Conditioner (under warranty)

Transmission (under warranty)

Sun Visor

Sun Roof

Leather on doors bunching under weather strip

Oil Leaks a constant problem

Center cup holder terrible.

General Comments:

We bought the car new when my wife was pregnant with our second child. He is now 10 years old and going into 4th grade. The car has over 190000 miles and still going strong. This has been an outstanding family wagon. Well appointed, comfortable, excellent handling and acceleration. We have had an excellent private mechanic who keeps it going. Our Volvo dealer was terrible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2007

1997 Volvo 960 wagon from North America

Summary:

Love love love this car

Faults:

Radiator (my fault)

Steering rack just recently.

Heated seats and a/c were both busted when we bought it used.

That's it!!

General Comments:

This car is beautiful. Drives and handles easily in the city, and like butter on the highway - long or short distance. I drive all day for work in this car and hot or cold, it hugs the road, corners well, and actually accelerates uphill. Tonnes of space for so much stuff. I have even hauled full sized couches in the back with room to spare. Might not bother to make the expensive steering rack repair, but would buy another one if I can find one... even a 10 year old model!

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

Review Date: 17th July, 2007

1997 Volvo 960 Sedan 2.9L 6 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

The last true Volvo

Faults:

I have only owned this 960 for a short period of time, but in that, I have had to replace a few exterior light bulbs, a flat tire, and a few trim pieces. Beyond that, the car has a very, very slow oil leak (common on the 2.9L 6-cylinder units) and can get lagged when the air-con system is at its highest setting (which is an understandable issue with any car)

General Comments:

I absolutely love this car. I am, and always will be, a huge fan of the rear-wheel drive, blocky Volvo's (ie. the 700 and 900 series)

This car lives up to every expectation one might put to it, and even surpasses some. The 960 is not the type of car to throw into corners at high speed, nor is it good to dart through traffic in, however given its small turning radius, good road feel, and well modulated brake and accelerator pedals, the car is easy to drive around town, and an absolute pleasure on the highway.

I have read some bad reviews on post 1990 Volvo products, and in the end it all comes down to the condition of the vehicle at the time of purchase. Volvo's, like any other kind of European car tend to be finicky when they are left unmaintained, and driven hard. However, if you take good care of these boxes by cleaning them regularly, and ensuring that all the fluids are topped up and in good shape, and you'll be driving for many many kilometers.

Luckily I purchased this 960 from my independent Volvo mechanic, and the last (and only previous) owner of the car took great care of it.

So far I have been averaging a fuel consumption rate of under 10 Litres/100KM or roughly 24 to 25 Miles per gallon (on a mixed commute)

I would recommend Volvo's to anyone. As a teenager, we are often the ones known for planting Civics into oak trees, but for me safety is key above go fast performance, and you can't get any safer than the last generation Volvo 900 Series.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2006

19th Oct 2006, 08:52

I am the original author of this review, and I felt it was time to update my experience with this Volvo. I have had the car exactly 5 months to this day, and very little has gone wrong with it, aside from a drivers side signal light bulb that melted itself into the bulb housing.

So far I have put on about 10,000KM, replaced the oil once, changed 3 light bulbs, and that's all. Its been extremely reliable, and noticeably excellent on long trips over 5 hours.

So far, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. It's also been interesting finding little notes left on my windshield from people wishing to make an offer on my car. I would recommend the last generation 960 to anyone looking for an excellent long lasting old school European luxury sedan.