Any Volvo guys around?

I'm having second thoughts about driving my '81 Parisienne box sedan in the winter. I just did a carb swap with new plugs and wires and had a new gas tank and fuel sender installed but now she seems a little grumpy on cooler mornings. Especially so if she's run just long enough to warm up and shut off for ten minutes.

Since I always did want the Parisienne to be a summer-only car but The Mrs says I can only keep two I've been shopping for something for winter. I've got a line on a '94 Volvo 850 wagon that's been well maintained, oil coated every year since new with 190,000kms on it. I can get it for $1650 including safety inspection and emissions test. I've often looked at 850's while shopping around and everything I've read indicates they are a great car but it never hurts to get advice from someone more experienced. Any one got any thoughts on reasons to go for it, reasons to run like hell? Any details I should watch out for while shopping?

 

I'm not much of an 850-and-newer guy though.

My only advice is to check to see if it has a rear main leak before buying, and if you buy, immediately do the timing belt and check the PCV system, service if necessary.

 

I worked as a Volvo mechanic for years, owned 5 240 models. The 850 is one hell of a car in its own right. Just like the models before them, they are built like bricks. I am a crash survivor of a C70 (same frame as the 850).

However it dose have it's faults. The biggest is the timing belt. You have to be exactly on time to change them. When they snap, it grenades the engine, slamming the pistons into the valves. Other things include bushings, mostly the front suspension with upper strut bushings, sway bar links, lower ball joints. But IPD out of Oregon (I think) sell nice replacements for Volvo stuff. Another thing I remember about the wagon models, the rear shock upper shock bushings would blow out and hit the wagon floor, making a knocking sound. It's an easy repair, just remove the floor and the bushings are right there.

For the most part the 850 is an easy car to work with, even for the DIY kinda guy. Once you understand Swedish logic, it will all come together.

It's been a number of years since I was last in the dealer, so I am not sure if any aftermarket company has made an improvement on any of these problem issues with the 850, like greaseable sway bar links or more stout upper strut bushings.

Best of luck of what you decide.

 

I currently have a V70R and have owned an 850 for about 100,000 miles. I love driving these cars, but they can be frustrating and very expensive when parts go bad. The 850 is not as "Swedish" as the V70, but they are still very solid cars.

I agree that when you buy an 850 immediately do the oil, pcv, timing belt, and will add an alignment and overall suspension review to be sure bushings aren't worn.

I am in the market for another 850 and am finding that they are available around $1,500 with 150,000 ish miles and the motors should hold to 300 if they are well maintained.

good luck!