I have a 940(1993)sedan that has 210k that I love. I have a chance to buy a 850(1994)sedan with 169k. No service records but I am buying it from my go to mechanic for the 940 repairs that I can't do. He says that the guy that used to own it did a lot of the expensive stuff already. The AC, radiator, ABS control module, timing belt, water pump and all the other belts have been replaced. It is a 5 speed so no problems with the auto trans. What else should I know about this Silver Streak before I make a long term commitment?

How's the Volvo manual trans?
Should I use synthetic oil?
Is there anything else that has regular problems?

Thanks for any advice that you have.

Sounds like most of the stuff I've replaced, except it's a GT and so doesn't have some of the stuff to break. I've not replaced my water pump. I still have my original manual transmission. (I still have my original clutch!) No, I wouldn't first switch to synthetic oil at 169,000 miles. I've heard the usual stories about engines starting to leak oil like a colander, so I'm not nearly that brave! The main seal can start to leak with high miles, if so it's also a good time to replace the clutch. For an inclusive list of things that go wrong, check the owner's surveys at Kino's Volvo site: http://kinovolvo.velez.ws/ Don't blame me if it blows up, but that's just the kind of Volvo 850 I'm looking for for my baby daughter (cheap).

-BTC

'98 V70 T5M, 153k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new