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Consider the 850-SVC70 '93-'00 as one entity. My '98 V70 was fine year #1 AWFUL year #2 and has been OK ever since. Bad enough year #2 to scare me into buying the extended warranty. That has not been a good move, they made a few bucks on that one. A lot of the problems are cosmetic things that I wouldn't have even tried to get fixed with my SAABs or my wife's Honda.
Mine's left me stranded exactly once (battery).
Road & Track did an owner's survey 2/98, they reported that in contrast to the average car they had surveyed since 1975 which had 5 problem areas reported by 10% or more of owners, the 850 had 0 (zero). Consumer Reports says "avoid" '98-'99 and AWD models. CR did recommend the cars when I bought mine. As to what happened in 1997 (the '98s) my best guess is that they had a number of substandard parts vendors. Once the defective parts are replaced it should be OK. CR was shaken enough by what happened on '98-'99s that they don't recommend any Volvos as used cars now.
It's not a perfect car, but I like it. I might even buy another one.
So kick the tires on some 850, look at how they've worn. I think you'll see that they seem to wear even better than the old RWD Volvos. I'd like it even better if Toyota had bought the company instead of Ford, but that's not what happened. Look for lots of records, a timing belt change, and ATF changes if it has an AT.
-Bill the Cat
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