Hi,

I am purchasing a Volvo 850GLT from a dealer. It has had one owner and is an automatic. It has 149,000 miles on. He is offering it for $7500. Is this a good buy or should I look for something else. Is there anything I should be aware of with this particular year and model? Thanks (appretiate any comments).

-AB Smith

Second year of production, first year offered in the States. Wheels have a four bolt pattern versus the five bolts in subsequent model years. Like Yannis indicated, front and rear bumper covers and headlights were modified for many '94 and subsequent model years. Have the car gone over by a mechanic familiar with Volvos and preferably the 850 and review service and repair records, if available. Potential trouble spots would be the automatic transmission if so equipped and the air conditioning. The automatic requires fluid changes. Check the dipstick to check color (pink is good, dark or burnt smell is bad). A/C evaporator coils are also prone to failure and cost something like $800 to be fixed. At 149,000 miles, the car should have had perhaps it's third timing belt change (50K interval on '93s I believe). If no sticker under hood indicating when last changed or service record, it should be changed as the 850 motor is an interference engine, meaning damage will occur if belt breaks. Good luck.

Provided that the car is in relatively good shape, the $7,500 is rather high. The 1993s did have different (slightly) front fascia and (in my opinion) did ride a bit rougher than the subsequent 850s.

Their leather is a bit different too (perforated vs. the solid look).

Good luck.

Yannis

I drive a 93 850, and can vouch for most things Wayne and Yannis have said. Definitely the front bumper is a cosmetic pain in the ass...the top of the bumper is painted the same colour as the body (unless turbo I think) and of course, paint on a flexible plastic bumper is just dumb. I have had pieces flake off after someone just leaned on it with their foot. Along those lines, I am looking for a bumper trim piece to put over the whole mess but I do not know if 94-98 any trim would fit...anybody know?

Also, the 4 lug wheel pattern is not a real issue unless you are looking to upgrade, but I think the 93 6 star alloy wheels are hard to beat:)

The headlights could be a pain if you got one smashed, new ones are expensive, I had to have one done last year, I did my windshield at the same time to squeeze it all through insurance...the auto glass guy said it was the most expensive headlight he had bought in the last year ($350 cdn)

Besides that, the car is great, with this site, and the diagnostic computer, which was only available 93-95, most little hassles can be fixed relatively easily. I have heard the ride is a little stiffer on the 93's, I notice it to be quite stiff, but in comparison to later models I cannot say.

I would contradict Yannis and say, if the car has had a recent timig belt done, and the paint around the front grill and bumper is in good shape, 7300 is a good deal...I would not sell mine for less than 8500 right now, with 253000kms on it!