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> Is there any year(s) or features that I should avoid for mechanical or electrical reasons?
The newer the better. I have a 93 and it's a great car, but I've heard the 95-97's are best.
> Is the turbo system reliable?
Mine is not a turbo, but most people I've talked to say the turbos are not too much trouble, as long as it has been well maintained (regular oil changes!).
> What about ABS brakes?
I think they all have them. My 850 does. The brakes on these cars are AWESOME.
> Are they dependable, and are parts readily available?
Yes, but some little stuff tends to break on them. Like my shift lock solenoid went bad, my horn stopped working (bad ground), third brake light went out (another grounding problem), the heater blower gave out at 100K (almost $400 for a new one installed), power seat stopped moving in one position (cable came loose in the seat), seat heating element went bad on drivers side ($200 to fix it), the auto climate control sensor started making noise (had to be replaced), dash bulbs blew out ($80 for all new bulbs at the dealer). Not the kind of stuff that leaves you stranded, but annoying nevertheless.
> Is the auto tranny solid, or should I stick to manual? Did they make many manual transmission models?
I've heard that the auto trans is prone to early failure on the 93's, but mine has been fine w/ 110K (although I've changed the oil in it twice in the past 3 years just to be safe). The automatic trans is great because it has an economy and sport mode depending on your driving style. It even drops down a gear automatically when you are traveling down a hill to help slow the car down to save your brakes (I've never seen another auto trans do that!). I can't vouch for the sticks, all I see are auto's in my neck of the woods.
On the positive side: The 850 is an incredibly safe, solid car of very high quality. It handles well and has a sporty feel to it. The brakes are fantastic and so are the seats and interior comfort (lots of elbow room!). The climate control system is great (I have the auto climate control, which spoils you). The sunroof is huge! The paint still looks new even after 10 years!
On the negative side: More little stuff goes wrong with these cars than a Toyota. The suspension is on the stiff side (if you live where there are lots of potholes, this could be a concern).
Overall I highly recommend the car. For the price, your not going to find a car with better safety and quality (and those excellent brakes).
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