Hello,

I have a 92 940Turbo with 154,000 miles and a 96 850R with 41,000 miles. I have to say that I have been most impressed with the 92 940Turbo. I have replaced the water pump (30,000 miles) and nothing else other than the usual brakes, battery, etc. It still has the original exhaust from front to back and the original suspension. My query is this: Do any of you have any thoughts on the overall durability of the 850 class as compared with the 900 series? I have had several major components replaced to date on the 850. My wife drives our newest car the first four years and then I pick it up and drive it another 100,000 miles due to my longer commute. We are due to sell the 92 and pass the 850 to me. I have concerns that we might not have the same positive experience with the 850 that we had with the 940. I would appreciate any thoughts on this question regarding the long-term expereinces of those of you who have had both model cars. Thanks.

I think 850 is great. My previous 1995 850 Turbo was perfect until it was wrecked at 92k miles 2 years ago. Immediately, I replaced it with a 1995 850 GLT with 158k miles. (I'd rather in a 850 in a wreck than any 2002 Japanese car)

Right now, it has 203k miles and maybe it's only my imagination, but I feel the car is getting faster and faster... Water pump was replaced at 160k, together with the timing belt. It's the only major item to date.

It has the original exhaust, struts/shocks. AT is holding up very well too. I'm very pleased with it. God's willing, I'm going to get another 850 in the immediate future to replace our aging 150k miles' 1991 Buick Century (the reliability has been excellent). I'll only buy high mileage Volvos. The more miles you put on it, the better it becomes... especially the dropping price...

So, anybody out here has a high mileage 1995 or later 850 Turbo wagon for sale? Preferably with 35k or more miles per year, with a minimum of 25k miles per year.

I do miss my turbo. You'll sure to have a lot of fun with the R.

My own impression .... from looking for a used 940T for my kid, is that the 850-SVC70 series bodies and interiors hold up better than the 7xx/9xx, but that there are likely to be more mechanical adventures with the 850/70.

Considering your experience with the 940, you're likely to be disappointed by anything else, including a Toyota.

I'm up to 85k on my '98 V70T5M, and I'm hoping for 150k.

Since there are only 3 manufacturers in the world who are actually serious about safety (the others being SAAB and Mercedes) and the same durability concerns apply to them, Volvo could be my default choice next time, too. (I can hope - maybe Ford will sell Volvo to Toyota!)

-Bill the Cat

My experience is the same...my S70 is a car with nicer appointments but more headaches.

My previous ride, 94 945T, was indestructible. New rotors and pads at normal intervals, new exhaust at 120K, oil changes. But it was a simpler car, built with proven RWD parts refined by Volvo over several decades. (My mid-80's 745T wasn't as reliable.)

The FWDs are a work in progress - with more features and added complexity.
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)