Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K?

Daniel Anderson wrote:
> I just ran across a 1995 Volvo 850 4 Door sedan with 95K miles for $3750.
> I've been looking to buy a Toyota/Honda for under $5000 and ran across this.
> But, I'm totally Volvo illiterate. Is this a good model and year? Are Volvos
> reliable? The car has only had one owner and seems to be well-taken care
> of -- can I get the same mileage out of a Volvo as I could a Honda or
> Toyota? Chime in, anyone, please!
>
>


There's a few issues with the 850's, but they're well documented and
they're overall good cars. I'm not aware of a car that lasts as long in
general as Volvos, there's quite a few of them running around with well
over 200K on them and I've seen a few with the 300K badge on the back in
my area. Heck mine will be deserving of that badge in about a year if
things keep up.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

In ,
James Sweet wrote:

> Daniel Anderson wrote:
>> I just ran across a 1995 Volvo 850 4 Door sedan with 95K miles for $3750.
>> I've been looking to buy a Toyota/Honda for under $5000 and ran across this.
>> But, I'm totally Volvo illiterate. Is this a good model and year? Are Volvos
>> reliable? The car has only had one owner and seems to be well-taken care
>> of -- can I get the same mileage out of a Volvo as I could a Honda or
>> Toyota? Chime in, anyone, please!
>>
>>
>
>
> There's a few issues with the 850's, but they're well documented and
> they're overall good cars. I'm not aware of a car that lasts as long in
> general as Volvos, there's quite a few of them running around with well
> over 200K on them and I've seen a few with the 300K badge on the back in
> my area. Heck mine will be deserving of that badge in about a year if
> things keep up.

On alt.autos.mercedes and alt.autos.bmw, you'll find lots of people
who'll say the same about their MBs and BMWs. One of my cars was a
1981 300TD wagon with just over 350K miles. Ran great, minimal
maintenance - until Katrina hit. Living in the South does help with
the diesel though. I just looked at a 84 BMW 633csi today with
223K miles, but the asking price was too high. Car was in great
shape.

To the OP - any good European car that's maintained well will outlast
a Toyota or a Honda. But - maintenance will usually be more expensive.

AC
--
In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice,
but nothing to choose from - Peter Ustinov.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

>
> On alt.autos.mercedes and alt.autos.bmw, you'll find lots of people
> who'll say the same about their MBs and BMWs. One of my cars was a
> 1981 300TD wagon with just over 350K miles. Ran great, minimal
> maintenance - until Katrina hit. Living in the South does help with
> the diesel though. I just looked at a 84 BMW 633csi today with
> 223K miles, but the asking price was too high. Car was in great
> shape.
>


Mercedes and BMW are also very well made cars, much better than the
average Ford, Chevy, Kia, etc which are so common.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

Daniel Anderson wrote:
> I just ran across a 1995 Volvo 850 4 Door sedan with 95K miles for $3750.
> I've been looking to buy a Toyota/Honda for under $5000 and ran across this.
> But, I'm totally Volvo illiterate. Is this a good model and year? Are Volvos
> reliable? The car has only had one owner and seems to be well-taken care
> of -- can I get the same mileage out of a Volvo as I could a Honda or
> Toyota? Chime in, anyone, please!
>
>

I have a '96 850 and like it very much. As with any car of that age,
problems are going to start coming up and they can be expensive. Known
big dollar trouble spots include the ABS controller and A/C evaporator.

If the vehicle has an impecable and complete service record you might be
on to a good buy.

John
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

Henry wrote:
> Daniel Anderson wrote:
>
>
>>...can I get the same mileage out of a Volvo as I could a Honda or
>>Toyota? Chime in, anyone, please!
>
>
> If by 'mileage' you mean 'longevity', then, as others have replied, yes,
> indeed. Well-maintained Volvos last a very long time.
>
> If, however, you mean 'fuel economy', then...well...maybe not.
>


My non turbo, manual transmission 850 is completely acceptable from a
fuel economy point of view. 20-25 MPG in local driving, 28-33 mpg on
highway trips.

John
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

I have a 95 850 turbo wagon that I purchased with 60,000. It now has 115,00
and has been very reliable and a joy to drive even for a wagon. Earlier 850
had automatic tranny issues but improved with the 95 model. The only costly
repairs were the a/c evap changed at 100,000 and the fuel pump at 110,000.
Where are you going to get a reliable used car that could last, with proper
maintenance, another 120,000 or more for $3750? Ask the guy for the
maintenance records. If he took good care of it, don't think twice.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

>
> If the vehicle has an impecable and complete service record you might be
> on to a good buy.
>


People always tend to say that, but I don't think I've ever even seen a
used car with what I'd call an "impeccable and complete" service record.
When you buy used, you take what you can find, check it out as well as
possible and if you like it, go for it. You could get a complete dud
with a great service record, or you could pass up a sweet ride because
the paperwork wasn't saved.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

In ,
Henry wrote:

> Aawara Chowdhury wrote:
>
>> If you change the oil yourself, you're not going to have any
>> records of having done that -
>
> Erm...why not? You take the receipt showing what oil and filter

Some people take care of more than one car, and don't make the
notes that you do.

> Having said that, I will add here that I keep these records entirely for
> myself. I am 54 years old

I'm 48, and have never kept records of car maintenance. I do keep
records of major items purchased (new exhaust, tyres etc.). We're
down to one car now - my wife's '89 240 that went to Texas with us.
My car was totalled by Katrina.

AC
--
In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice,
but nothing to choose from - Peter Ustinov.
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

John Horner wrote:

>
>I have a '96 850 and like it very much. As with any car of that age,
>problems are going to start coming up and they can be expensive. Known
>big dollar trouble spots include the ABS controller and A/C evaporator.
>
What's the issue with the ABS controller? My 94, with 220K turns the
ABS light on occasionally, and shows almost every fayult in the book
when I read it. ABS still works though, even when the light is on.

(Only major repair needed on mine was a leaking rear crankshaft seal)
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 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K? 

In article , dwarner22
@ccharter.net says...
> John Horner wrote:
>
> >
> >I have a '96 850 and like it very much. As with any car of that age,=20
> >problems are going to start coming up and they can be expensive. Known=
> =20
> >big dollar trouble spots include the ABS controller and A/C evaporator.
> >
> What's the issue with the ABS controller? My 94, with 220K turns the
> ABS light on occasionally, and shows almost every fayult in the book
> when I read it. ABS still works though, even when the light is on.
>
I had the ABS warning light coming on intermittently along with a few
other electrical symptoms -- shift lock staying on, turn signals
inoperative. It was fixed by replacing the ignition switch.

Rick
 >> Stay informed about: Help! 1995 Volvo 850 with 95K?