Kevin Jarrett

Thanks I'm good have a Carfax account myself through 8/14. :)

Thunder87, wow. Small world. What's your ClubGP SN? I am kj99gt, on the board since '98. Oreo931, thank you for sharing. I just read your post about the wreck. I am going to have my teenage daughter read it. You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders - as she does - and yet, a moment's innatention, a poorly design intersection, and you were nearly killed. Even the "best" drivers make mistakes. That is why they are called 'accidents,' right? Thank God you are okay. You sound like a great kid (no offense, I'm 43, sorry. <g>) If I could find a one-owner, low(er)-mileage, garage kept, fully documented '95 850, I'd probably jump at it. I can't find ANY other than this one at a lot, which was sold via an auto auction at one point according to Carfax, so, I'm leery. On the subject of safety ... check this out. Here is some IIHS safety reports to consider: Volvo 850/S70 1993-2000 models FRONTAL OFFSET TEST OVERALL EVALUATION: Good http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=36 Toyota Camry 1997-2001 models FRONTAL OFFSET TEST OVERALL EVALUATION: Good http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=69 Volkswagen Passat 1998-2005 models FRONTAL OFFSET TEST OVERALL EVALUATION: Good http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=92 Interestingly, all these cars are essentially comparable in terms of safety. So I guess that makes them good choices. I know this is a Volvo enthusiast board. Just trying to carry on the convo. Thanks, all. -kj-

Outstanding info! Thanks everyone. Just what I needed. You can always count on the enthusiast community for the straight scoop. I'm an active member over at http://www.clubgp.com, and I adore my '99 Grand Prix ( http://www.kevin-jarrett.net/gp/ ). I love it so much there's no way I'll let my daughter have it, LOL! I totally get what you all are saying about the 850. I agree that a personally owned, highly maintained (with records) car would be ideal (my Pontiac has 120k on it and looks / drives new). I like the Volvo's safety record vs. the Japanese. If there is ONE thing I must have for this car, it is the ultimate in crash (and accident-avoidance) safety. Dual airbags, ABS, and stellar crash test ratings are key. And I want to spend about $4k. Could go higher. Problem is there are NO 850s (non-turbos) around here. NONE. The two I have in my sights are at used car lots, which I have to assume means no maintenance history/records, anything. So I am concerned. I have seen many 850 Turbos - one owner, fanatically maintained, records, etc. - someone at ClubGP just suggested I consider a turbo but turn the boost down. What do you all think of that? Is it okay to do so? Any negative implications? In short if I found a sweet well maintained 850 turbo for the right money I'd get it if I could be sure it wasn't too powerful for a first car. What do you think? Thanks again! -kj-

Hi all, First post here, thanks for such a great forum. Considering some 850s for my daughter. Both are at used car lots. 1995 850 base, 144k miles, velour 1997 850 GLT, 155k miles, leather Both cars should be obtainable in the $3,500 range or so. Problem is, they are on used car lots, and the driving/service history is a question. I have carfax's on them, and they seem clean, but the carfax record for my own Pontiac (bought new) has a bunch of stuff in it that's wrong (http://www.kevin-jarrett.net/blog/?p=853). MSN Autos thinks pretty highly of the 850s in these years: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliabil...o&model=850 Edmunds isn't so impressed: http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/volvo/850...gs_jdpower.html My questions: 1) How reliable are these 850s? 2) Any problem areas to watch out for specifically? 3) I've read that the electrical systems on the 97s are troublesome. True? The 850 seems like an ideal first car. Safe, FWD, hopefully reliable, inexpensive. I have a Volvo mechanic in my town, too. Trustworthy guy, been in business forever. I'm a teacher and I've taught his kid (I know the family). My dad dealt with him years ago as well. TIA, -kj-