My parents are looking into a used Volvo, possibly a non-turbo 850. I currently own an '89 244DL, and I'm talking them into converting to the Volvohood. :)

Are there better years than others to look for with these models? My mom will be driving about 100 miles a day (roundtrip), and she'll most likely want an automatic, though she wouldn't mind a stick.

How do these 850s compare to that of a later model 940 or 960? I'm not really sure of the price she's willing to spend.

Looking forward to reading the responses.

Thanks.

Eric Staufer

'89 244DL 112k

Thanks guys for the responses regarding the 850s and 940s. I'll look on autotrader and other used car places to get some prelim. prices.

I appreciate it!

Regards,

Eric Staufer,

'89 244DL 112k

I love the 850 turbo.... But please, please stick with the 940 any years..

they are the best car trouble free.. No transmission problem... or many bug

like our belove 850...

Save your parent some $$$ and headed... stick with 940 4 cylinder.. Not the

960 because it have 6 cylinder I hear their many problem with the 6 cylinder

stick with what work trouble free. and have been proved with time 940 is the on........ just like the 240... but 940 look much more nicer too....

Hey I love the 850 but only you are willing to do all the work yourself...

or fork up some big $$$

Good luck...

we have 2000 V40, 1987 240 300,000 and still going, 1994 850 turbo,

1987 BMW 635CSI 150,000

I never recommend a high dollar anything (ie, car, investments, houses) to anybody. If there's a problem, then I'd feel bad. Volvos are kind of quirky and you have to appreciate them for that and be willing to do some of the work yourself.

Speaking from experience, I have an '87 244DL (son drives) and recently bought (January 2001) an '96 850GLT, the 200, 700, and 900 series have more support resources in the after market supply chain, and are perhaps better cars in the latter models than the 850. Look at the new Spring/Summer IPD catalog, not one entry for FWD parts and supplies. Same is true with other suppliers - GAPA, and RPR. The 850 is apparently ignored. IMHO the 850 has some performance flaws that Volvo should have dealt with - A/C evaporator failures, top motor mount, roof strips pealing, etc, etc.. All I have seen here are posts about design problems and maintenance issues I have never seen with other cars. And Volvo Cars NA doesn't give a damn about their owners. I like my 850GLT's comfort and styling, but I have failing paint and a "clunk" in the transmission area that has yet to be diagnosed...and it has only 84K on it. I will soon have the A/C checked by a competent mechanic. If the evaporator is failing (~$1100 to fix)I will dump the car and part ways with Volvo.

Seriously consider some of the posts seen here about design flaws and maintenance issues in the 850. You might like the RWD 700 and 900 series Volvos better. And don't buy a silver or silver/pewter color - it fades.

TR

I agree with the previous posts. I have a '91 740 and a '95 850. The 740 has a 175K mi. on it and hardly ever goes in the shop. The 850 has 95k mi. on it and I just psent $1000 to replace all of the brake parts. Stick to a rear wheel drive model.

In response to a previous post, IPD now has a seperate front wheel drive catalog, and after market parts are becomming more accessible.

Cheers.