Hi all got tired of the repairs so I sold my 850 and bought a 04 nissan maxima. Ive been a volvo ower for a long time but I just dont have the time nor the money anymore. anyway just wanted to let you all know I bought a case of mann oil filters from Ipd and I only used 1, they are for sale under classified ads if anyone is interest. good luck to you all and thanks for all your wonderful advice over the last decade. Kelly

From KBB I get about $16 1/2 for an '04 Maxima SE 6-speed and $9 1/2 for an '01, both private party values and average condition and mileage. Difference $7k. Hmmmmm.

That reminds me, my clutch is noisy, I think it's the slave cylinder...

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 174k mi, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension, Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck tape, zip-ties, two '06 Honda license plate nut impressions in back bumper (gift from daughter), Mobil-1 since new.

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." - Douglas Noel Adams (1952 - 2001)

I am about to sell mine for the same reasons. It's in okay shape, but does have minor issues.

well it had 180k miles on it and needed tires. a/c needed to be charged once in a while. I have a friend who sells used cars and was able to get 1,300 for it. the leather was perfect and had all options on it. it was in good shape. kelly

180k on it? Heck, that car would have definitely gone another 100k! I still have a very long ways to catch up to your mileage though- my '96 has but a mere 83k on the odometer. I actually just put it in storage for its long winter hibernation.

I would of loved to keep it but it just would not pass nj inspection no matter how much cash I put into it, so far 2k. I loved the car and hope to someday own another. the engine in that car ran like new, it was well taken care of. its the other things.

Well, Kelly Blue book on 1996 850's in good shape is 4500...my odo is busted (it has about 130 k on it I am guessing), seat is torn, and the front engine mount is going..but I was going to advertise it for 3500 and take no less than 3000, which is 1500 below blue book. The Volvo dealer near me said he would take it for 2700.

I would ask 3500 because of all the damn new parts I put into it over the last year...new rad and thermostat, new front axle, all new brakes, cv boots, fuel evaporator, and front struts. I did the timing belt a year ago. It's worth more than 1500 parts!

it's posts like these that make me hesitant of ever owning a Volvo again.

I have a 96 850T with 140K miles (bought it new). Very few problems and I do most of my own maintenance. I've been driving cars since the late 50's and this is the first one I have owned over 4 years without lusting on a newer car. Not even interested at looking--the 850T is a sports car in disguise that needs preventative maintenance, yes, but overall very reliable and a kick to drive.

Bear in mind that the Japanese cars, while very reliable, have a history of being very expensive to fix when they break....
--
96 850T, Bilstein HD, IPD swaybars-HD endlinks

I'm with you, sort of. I bought my 95 854T with 139K, not new. I have had it three years, and put 46K miles on it. I love it, and don't have reason to look elsewhere. I have been trying to find a 95 855T in good shape to add to the stable, but so far haven't had luck.

They do require maintenance, and maybe a bit of luck. My car's seats are in great shape, engine runs like a top, and it is a comfortable reliable ride. I can see how if the dice fell differently it could be a different story ( higher repair bills, more headaches, etc).

I have had many repair bills from the volvo and caint see the jap cars being much worse.

I think the Maxima is a great car - should be lots of fun.

Let us know after 5 years or so how the actual operating cost of the Maxima compares with the Volvo.