Apparently you guys are the volvo gods... So I have a question:

My current car is on it's last leg and I don't want to keep putting money into a 1991 Ford Escort. I've always wanted a Volvo and I've found a 1995 850 Turbo. It has 93000 miles on it for $5500. The test drive made me like it even more... I've scheduled an appointment with the local volvo shop to see if there are problems.

What do you think? I've read some negative reactions to the 850. I want a volvo but can't afford a car that will need to be in the shop constantly because of problems. I don't have service records for it, and only know that it has had two owners.

Please help a girl out before she could (possibly) make a big mistake!

Hi, it seems like way too much money to me.

I am the original owner of a 1995 Volvo 850 turbo.

These are expensive cars to maintain properly - do not fool yourself on this point!

There are a lot of expensive things that can, and will, go wrong.

My advice- get a Toyota or Honda if cost is an issue.

If you can put up with the costs - yes, it is a nice and fast car to drive.

A 1995 is the last year for "easy" diagnostic for do it yourselfers. I bought mine 6 months ago and still like it. From the sounds on the board, a Volvo averages about $1000 a year in maintenence. That's a lot of money, unless you are willing to do your own. Is there a reputable non-factory independent Volvo shop in your area? Dealers tend to throw new parts on a car until it is fixed. Same with their checkups, they list too many things which are not bad and you have to figure out what is critical or not.
Besides, women are normally given scare tactics to influence them into unnecessary work. Guess I don't like dealers! Your AC is not going to work without a rechage of R143a. Easily done, but if you have someone else do it, $100! The turbo will start to leak oil - $300 at the dealer. You can buy parts at FCP Groton or spend 10 times the amount at a dealer.
The lack of service records is a problem. Severe. Find out who the previous owner was, it's on the title, and call him. If the person selling you the car won't tell, tell him you won't buy. My 850 had all of the records since day one, and I am the 4th owner. Remember, the car is 10 years old now. $5500 is reasonable, 5000 is even better.
If you don't want to do maintenance, find a Subaru. We don't know what part of the country you live in - snow belt, sun belt, LALA land... and that does make a difference. Lots of horsepower and ice make for adrenalin driving.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

Good car but from my experience:
1. Expect to pay approx $1000 per year in maintenance/repairs.
2. Get Timing belt replaced if not done at 70K.
3. If AC evaporator has not been replaced, most likely shot or will
be soon ($1500).
4. Check for oil leaks.
5. Check CV boot shafts.

Be prepared to spend money on it. Great car but will require repairs.
In my experience, the costs are comparable to Jap cars (had Subaru Toyotas),
providing you are willing to make the comitment and keep it for a long time.

I live in central PA...

My dad is a mechanic, but doesn't know a thing about volvo's. Any major issues that come up, I'm sure he could help out with. My husband could probably also work on easier-solved problems.

I'm looking at the car from a local used car lot. They also don't know anything about the car since it came from an auction.

Have you test driven it yet? Any lights on on the dash? I'd look to see if the front end has been changed from the factory. Your dad should be able to see this, if you need new struts/shocks, tie rods, ball joints etc the parts alone will cost you a small fortune. Based on the age and miles, you should be due for a bunch of parts if the car was not worked on by a volvo dealership. See if there is a timing belt sticker under the hood. Volvo will stick a sticker if they did the timing belt. If you can, have you dad drive the car before you buy it. Good luck, and hope that the car was donated as a tax write-off from sombody who got too old to drive anymore. Look in the glove box for the manual. There should be a service manual in there also, Volvo dealerships will mark this book every time they work on the cars. Might clue you in on the history. These are great cars, and better in the escort in the PA snow.

I love to drive my 95 Volvo Turbo, I bought it with 12000K on it...but you will have less expense and expensive repairs with a Toyota, Acura, Honda, and some Nissans. But, it is the most powerful, fun to drive car I've owned.
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'95 854T 120,000