What do you think of the Volvo 850 series?

Question

Everything about it.

Answer 1

First of all i'm takin back by some of the answers you have already recieved. Volvo for homo's, someone isn't to sure about there own sexuality. Volvo is the most masculine car on the road, look at the badge (ok its the symbol for iron but just the same as the male symbol). Anyway you asked about the 850 so I won't ramble on about 200, 700 or 900 series models, your interest is in the fabulous 800 series. I'll give you a bit of brief information regarding this model along with my own experiance and opinion.

Late 1991 saw the introduction to the 850 Volvo although not properly sold out to the world until 1992. This initial model was still quite square so not to long after the release (late 1993) it recieved a face lift. Fatter bumpers, slimmer lights and nicer alloy wheels gave a much freshier and attractive image. Also in 1993 saw the release of the T5 engine although originally badged TURBO, it was a real cracker of an engine. The engine is still alive to day only slightly modified in cc etc, its the very engine you'll find in the award winning focus ST. The 850 lived for almost 8 years and offered a model for everyone from 2.0 to 2.5 and including both awd and fwd models it truley was fabulous, infact that good when the model changed to s and v 70 underneath all was the same. The most important motoring journalist in britain Jeremy Clarkson is possibly the hardest man to please regarding cars and he loved the 850 infact he loved it that much he owned on and still owns a Volvo today. I quote him "The 850 is every bit as good as the 3 series BMW only faster". The diesel engine pulled like a train using the 2.5 VW/Audi engine and offered great fuel economy. The car handled like it was on rails and the interior in my opinion is as good as it gets. Full electrics leather or part leather in most models and a superb child booster seat, although maybe uncomfortable for longer journeys a great idea and my son loves it. I have the original T5 badged TURBO and it is without doubt the best car i've ever owned. Its now 14 years old and is still driving like the day it rolled out of the factory.

Personally you will not find a better car. Volvo hit the nail on the head with the 850, but its like everyone and as a business man and company owner I know, you can't please everyone. I am currently interested in buying a new £57k V8 S80 but the bottom line is this, I know i'd just be as happy in my 14 year old 850. In my opinion it really is the greatest car ever owned and unbelievably good fun, very very fast. And just a little extra info you may find interesting. My T5 has 160k miles and can still keep up with a Subaru Impreza (new one), is as tight as a drum and runs like new.

Answer 2

Volvo 850 Reliability

Answer 3

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RE:
What do you think of the Volvo 850 series?

Answer 4

I preferred the 242 and 740 I had to the new FORD Volvos, but what the heck everything changes. I enjoy rear drive cars and 4x4, so an all-wheel 850 could be a good compromise for some. I just don't like the understeer. The body style is pleasant to the eye.

Answer 5

The 850 was the beginning of Volvo's overly complicated, expensive to repair product line that's even worse today. Give me an older RWD Volvo any time, that is any RWD except the 960/S/V90.

Answer 6

I prefer the rear-drive 740s and 940s, er... not the luxo 760/960. They have the subtlety - one would see an old boxy Volvo and just thinks it's an old Volvo and the stereotypes associated with it. Hey! Bad guys drives those cars too - whether on German autobahn pursuing their foes or Kowloon hooligans battle. And I mean those rear-drive Volvos. The 850s are a downgrade but it breathed a dose of fresh air for that Swede whose range is aging, much akin to the 240 saloon 'crisis'. Without 850s in the '90s was like without those 240 estates in the '70s, which the company had mostly survived on. Performance is better but what about reliability? You don't wish to have a car that'd gone sick during a race, wouldn't you? 850 - a Volvo with sporting pretensions. Just want to get a 3-series market share but it's knocked sideways by the 3-series. Oh? Was that cracked head problem that afflicted 960 came on 850? To me, it's 740/940 or 3-series/Mondeo/Sierra/ Alfa 75!

Answer 7

despite the naysayers the 850's have held up very well mechanically. my customer"s 850"s all have well over 150k several over 300k miles all drive as well as an average american car with 60k on the clock. these cars have all been properly maintained and not seriously abused and they all lasted through their owners kids during their teenage years
some became college cars but mostly if bought new they are still in the same families with the same drivers.

Answer 8

A step up in performance and a step down in reliability from previous Volvos.

Answer 9

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avyvz

replace the parts and then get the 4 wheel alignment done

Answer 10

lovely estate cars. perm 4x4, and a chassis designed to do 150mph. petrols are real gas guzzlers... and the diesels will do 55mpg... sadly not at 150mph...

i just sold mine and bought a toytota... the parts are cheaper, and their salesmen arent as desperate as volvo for sales..

i had volvos for over 20yrs... fantastic cars... but ill never own another...

Answer 11

comfy car. turbo editions are faster than most new cars. great looking. i get about 22 city/30-33 highway for gas mileage