Volvo 850

MW 1993 Volvo 850 GLT Road Test

Comments on YouTube

tgseason12 (3 days ago)

Me granddad has one.

suave1234 (1 week ago)

EL MEJOR

harmlessyugo (1 week ago)

Dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, it's a Volvo, which means safety. My 95 Turbo model was only $30 more expensive each month than my 93 850.

palebeachbum (2 months ago)

The T5 is a lot more car than the Lexus. Similar in size, but the Volvo is a much better value used. The ES300 is basically a fancier version of the "good but nothing special Camry". The T5 is a rare high-performance sport sedan. The fastest sedan of its time in fact. I hope you got the T5.

05027802 (2 months ago)

An if you're thinking about getting an 850, go for it, they are brilliant, make sure it's a T5 though! :)

05027802 (2 months ago)

I wasn't aware of problems on the pre-94 models, however, the T5-R wasn't available then so i don't have much experience with the models you're refering to. I would always suggest making sure the gearbox is sound in any car. As far as the the Auto T5's are concerned, the gearbox oil is a good way to tell the general condition. You have to remember these are very powerful cars and if the oil changes are neglected then the gearboxs can have problems on the 850 and i've seen it happen.

palebeachbum (2 months ago)

You can tell by watching the road test for the 940SE and this 850 that the 850 is MUCH sportier and modern in comparison. It's almost as quick with the maual, makes more HP, handles a heck of a lot better, beside the fact it looks much sportier. I do love both though! I'd like to get an 850.

palebeachbum (2 months ago)

The auto is only a problem on pre-'94 model 850's. After that they were just as dependable as the 940 and 240. So in other words, you can't kill 'em.

smokelodge (3 months ago)

its a swedish car

smokelodge (3 months ago)

have fun with those insurance payments

fearthedreadlox (4 months ago)

Yeah I'd like an S60 but ever since ford or whoever bought them over, I've read that they just aren't the same. I like the S70 and 850 a lot, their boxiness intrigues me. I know something about cars but really wanted something that I wouldn't have to worry about. Which would be my dilemma if I should go with another German/Swedish car (Volvo, Mercedes, BMW) or go with an import like a(Lexus, Infiniti) Hopefully in the end I'll find what's right. I have a Mercedes 190E and love it so i'm hooked.

fearthedreadlox (4 months ago)

I went to look at it, and somebody got it right before I did! I know it's a rare model, I should have jumped on it earlier.

volvoforlife1 (4 months ago)

First Gen S40's and all but the very latest S80's, especially the turbo S80's tend to be the least reliable from what I've read. If you get one cheap and have a few thousand extra to invest if repairs are needed than they're not so bad. The most commen thing I see is an unrealistic perception of Volvos. Buy a dirt cheap or higher MI Volvo, often they've been neglected in terms of repairs or maintenance, then dumped, people think "a Volvo, it will be ok", then think they won't need anything.

volvoforlife1 (4 months ago)

they're generally very reliable however proper maintenance is important at higher MI. I love my Volvos so much I don't mind the issues that I run into sometimes. if you are not a car person and don't know a whole lot, thinking about a used or high mileage vehicle without a warranty then probably best to stick with a Toyota, Lexus or Honda. If you are a car person, don't mind frequenting the Volvo forums, figuring things out and doing some reading, might be worth it to you.

05027802 (4 months ago)

oow Interesting! Just remember, the T5-R is a practical performance car, the ES300 is a luxury cruiser not a Sport Saloon. For the T5-R, check the PCV system! Pull the oil dipstick out with the car running and if its puffing smoke it isn't working. If it isn't working then it can blow the rear main oil seal, so check for oil leaks between the engine and gearbox. Also 'make sure' you check the auto-box oil, it should be nice clear red/pink and not smell burnt. And FSH is a absoulute must!!

fearthedreadlox (4 months ago)

Thanks, I'm looking at a 96 T5-R and a 96 Lexus ES300 this weekend. Hopefully I can make a decision.

05027802 (4 months ago)

If you work on your BMW you should have no problem servicing an 850 T5 yourself. Depends on how much you have to spend though, to get an equivilent BMW to a Volvo T5 you need to spend a lot more money and buy at least a 330 Ci. The build quaility is as good as BMW, although BMW interior is generally more stylish. Only thing is I don't think they did a manual version where you are and the Auto is highly inferior in both driving and reliabilty.

fearthedreadlox (5 months ago)

Thanks. They are nice cars, but you just can't take them anywhere to have them serviced. I love the way German cars are built and currently have one that's becoming a hassle to take care of. I do a lot of the work myself but I dunno, I guess I'll just have to test drive and see what I love best:)

05027802 (5 months ago)

I don't know why someone has given you a thumbs dowm it's a fair comment. But to answer your question the 850 is a very reliable vehicle even in T5 format if maintaned correctly. My 1996 850 T5 just flew through its MOT again yesterday 200,000 trouble free miles shouldn't be too difficult and there are plenty of 850's out there with double that mileage. I've had quite a few of cars in my time and Volvos have been the most reliable of the lot. The T5 variant is damn fast as well!

fearthedreadlox (5 months ago)

I want one but I'm afraid it will be unreliable. I guess I'll just get a Lexus.

bahti7fr (5 months ago)

i want this car

xpiecemealx (6 months ago)

I drive mine like a sports car to this day. Check out my video. Its a 93 also. Same color as this video too. I love it, but would rather have the "R" version.

pman1018 (6 months ago)

Actually, the standard 850 was speedy too. I know someone who had a standard 850 and he said it drove like a sports car. And he ain't lying!

yourmomsahomo (6 months ago)

u mean the 850 R???

pman1018 (6 months ago)

Back then, the 850 was the fastest Volvo ever built until a few years later when the S60 R was built.