Kevin Jarrett Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 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, velour1997 850 GLT, 155k miles, leatherBoth 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=850Edmunds isn't so impressed:http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/volvo/850...gs_jdpower.htmlMy 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- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the underlørd Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 get the one with the lowest miles, and most detailed service record you can find. you set on the non-turbo Volvo, for your daughter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drlava Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 test the A/C - evap changes are big deals. Also make sure the square hole underneath between the engine and transmission is dry and looks like it always has been. RMSs are a big deal. Check the timing belt labels for changes - they sould be stickered on the cover. Check the CV joint boots for cracks Make sure the flame trap isn't clogged. With the hood up, push up and down on the car and look at the strut mounts - observe excessive motion. On the '95 you can probe all of the engine codes via the box on the front passenger side under the hood. Look for leaks, repairs, straightness of hood on body, paint lustre that may reveal overpaint and repairs from an accident. Make sure the tranny shifts smoothly and without hesitation Check for undercoat on the fuel filter - if it is original it could indicate a previous owner that wasn't thorough. Check upper engine mount - these always go bad and with those miles it probably has been replaced. If not, make sure the other engine mounts are still OK. Check the carpet, under the carpet, and the spare tire area for signs of water contact. There were a lot of cars turned over recently due to floods/huricanes. Make sure the CEL isn't unlit because it has been removed! Make sure the oil pressure light goes off within a second of starting. Verify ABS operationIn general, there are a lot of things to look for, if you aren't experienced with 850s, the best bet is to take it to a mechanic who is. The brand of the parts that have been replaced can tell you about the care of the owner. If he finds one is in good shape, it should be a great safe starter car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beiner Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 My experience with my '95 855:I had nearly all service records 122k milesCar ran greatBody had a few small dents (oh well)My experience with my '98 XC:I had no service records and was 1300 miles away 118k milesCar ran great but check engine light came on when first driven through a humid climate (SAS problem)Body had one dent that is nearly unnoticableConclusion? Through this web site (and others) I have kept up with all of the more common "problems" and service items for both vehicles. They're not magic cars and it sounds like you don't expect them to be. With the mileages you're looking at, either all of the more common problems have been fixed or will about to need to be fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FixerUpper Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 if you are looking for a cheap reliable car for your kid that will require virtually no maintenance, get her a 95 accord850s are great cars-like many others around here, I am obsessed with mine-but I enjoy working on it and do so often.If I had to pay labor for what I've already done, I am looking at about 1000-2000 bucks. I will have to do a lot more in the future, but I bought the car as a fun fast luxury car and as a project, so that's ok by me.If your daughter or yourself aren't mechanically inclined or unwilling to learn how to work on it yourself, take this as a warning.on an accord, (my wife is honda compulsive) you can expect to replace the timing belt, the cv joints, the front wheel bearings sometimes, and brakes. Then you can drive it another bunch of miles fairly easily.For 3500, if it was me and my daughter just loved the 850, I would instead look for a shining example with less than 100k for 4-5k. Easy enough if you go with the GLT. And what those guys said about taking it to a mechanic is true.It's a good idea. on the 850, expect the following to go wrong or wear out eventually...ac evaporator, ball joints, front suspension, heater core, flame trap (on glts), brakes (it is a 3500 pound vehicle) drooping headliner, electric seat failure, rear main seal, and the automatic tranny. Also the PNP switch is known to fail. If these things have been addressed to any degree, it will help your overall value and what you should budget for repair costs.I love volvo and don't mean to sound negative...just know what you are getting yourself into.Good luck with the car shopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiku Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 my 95 850 non-turbo hasn't had anything majorly wrong with itjust regular timing belt, and dreaded RMS (common problem)but in the 11 years, it's never stranded meonly 150k miles on it, but plan on driving it till it dies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Jarrett Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 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- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder87 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Some other common problems that have not been mentioned are: The ABS Module, the Air injection system, Dash rattles, rear tailgate trim falling off (Wagon models only), and Sway bar end links. I really like our 850 and love knowing my wife and kids are riding in a safe vehicle, but at the same token sometimes I hate it because it seems like everytime I turn around, there is another CEL on, or something else is wrong with it. On top of this, parts are usually on the expensive side. Again, I'm not saying don't do it, but I know for myself, I don't believe I would pick it as a reliable first car for my daughter. I know the safety of it is nice, but there are other cars out there with great crash test ratings, that are more reliable and dependable and even cheaper to maintain (parts wise) especially if it's domestic. Both my Domestics have been far more reliable/dependable then our Volvo, and my Lumina has 249k miles on the original drivetrain. Food for thought.I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the Turbo's would have even more things to go wrong.Oh and I'm a member of ClubGP too, as I have a Regal GS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreo931 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I am 19 now...when i was 17 i was involved in a very serious accident with an 18 wheeler (click the dont drive like a schmuck link in my signature for more info) ... had i not been driving a safe car i probably would have been killed...after that accident and about a year of punishments i was allowed to drive again and my parents got me a volvo...its nice knowing your child(ren) are going to be the safest they can be while driving...thats my $.02.knowing that my daughter is as safe as she can be while driving would be worth all of the expensive repairs IMHO (if i had a child, lol)either way, good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder87 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 knowing that my daughter is as safe as she can be while driving would be worth all of the expensive repairs in my humble opinion (if i had a child, lol)I wouldn't, by any means, imply to put your child in danger, just to save the hassle & cost of repairing a car. I myself have a Children and know what it's like to worry about them. My point is that Volvo is not the only safe vehicle out there. If you can find one that's safe and reliable, your much better off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil E Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I wouldn't, by any means, imply to put your child in danger, just to save the hassle & cost of repairing a car. I myself have a Children and know what it's like to worry about them. My point is that Volvo is not the only safe vehicle out there. If you can find one that's safe and reliable, your much better off.Safety is priceless; trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Jarrett Posted July 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 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/S701993-2000 modelsFRONTAL OFFSET TESTOVERALL EVALUATION: Goodhttp://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=36Toyota Camry1997-2001 modelsFRONTAL OFFSET TESTOVERALL EVALUATION: Goodhttp://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=69Volkswagen Passat1998-2005 modelsFRONTAL OFFSET TESTOVERALL EVALUATION: Goodhttp://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=92Interestingly, 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- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the underlørd Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 yeah, but volvo's have soul baby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder87 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hey Kevin, My screename on ClubGP is Thunder, I've been on there since late 03 early 04. I don't post all too often as I frequent RegalGS.org more often, where my screename is Thunder also. (Yeah, I like to keep things simple, LOL)I would use the IIHS and Edmunds.com sites to help pick a safe and reliable vehicle. Edmunds has great reliability feedback on vehicle's from actual owners. Good luck with your search and I'll probably end up seeing you around on one of the boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottlecap Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 my experience says get the '95. i loved my first '95 850 so much that when it got killed i went out and found another (the newer one has a turbo. weee). both have been great cars. really any high milage car is going to need a few regular things as the parts get old, but i'd say the costs to take care of these cars if you do it yourself or at an indy or pretty norm/low.my first '95 had 130k on it when i got it and 190k when it was rear ended. in all that time all i had to do was a cv joint and endlinks plus the normal oil changes, breaks, etc. the new one was bought a year ago with 140k or so and hasn't given me any issues yet other than a failed fuel pump and it needed a new evap valve and pnp switch when i first got it. all in all both cars have run solid.the only thing about the '95s is that it's a little bit of a craps shoot as to the details of the computer, obd, and some features. volvo was changing a lot after the '94s and so it really depends on where the car was made and at what point during the year. sometimes it can make getting advice a little confusing but there are only a couple things that aren't standard.it's about the only 11 year old car i'd want to buy for use as a daily driver. -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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