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And, covet I did.
Don't know when and how it started, but I became fond of 850 styling (855, actually). Subtle differences from V70, but I liked it boxier. We happened to be wondering about hauling extra cargo (2 kids, but 2 sedans). Thought about a new minivan or suv, but felt getting an 855 would save money, provide enough cargo space, w/o sacrificing safety.
After 2 months of agonizing search, I finally found and bought a '96 855T I liked. Thanks to those that replied to my questions, and thank you all for such a good source of information. I felt like I knew what to look for after reading old posts and questions/answers. Now that I have one myself, I hope to make a positive contribution to the board. (Was posting under a different handle, btw).
I could've paid a little less, but the car was in an excellent condition with all the records, fairly low mileage, got thumbs up from my mechanic (maybe he just got tired of me bringing the cars to his shop). I know some people waited over a year for the right one & I could've been more patient, but I was spending waaaay too much time in my search, at work and at home. I even walked up to one 855T owner in the parking lot to see if he was selling & gave him my business card in case he changed his mind, left a note on the windshield for another, my head was turning each time I saw an 855 on the street... I was obsessed!
Now that I have one, I feel this strange anti-climatic 'low' and don't know what to do with my time (work, perhaps?). Unfortunately, I get to drive only during the weekends & evenings (it was for my wife to drive kids around). It's amazing how I now willingly volunteer for late night shopping and errands. :)
Sorry for ramblings. Perhaps this belongs to 'Stories' forum', but not many seem to post it there.
Thanks again.
- '93 944
- '96 855T
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Like you I have been looking since I gave up the 78 245. Patience is a virtue and is usually rewarded and we are now a 3 Volvo family. 85 244, 96 854, 96 855T and IPD is discounting the sway bars just in time!
Anyone need a one owner 245?
Have fun
--
The 96 is number 8.
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Congratulations.
Yup, patience is virtue. I came so close to getting an SUV. I'm glad I didn't.
Enjoy your wagon. :)
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posted by
someone claiming to be southern fried volvo
on
Thu Jun 6 11:52 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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King Solomon said it best long ago:
"A mere lover of silver [Volvo 850] will not be satisfied with silver [Volvo 850], neither any lover of wealth with income. This too is vanity."
- Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verse 10 (also known as Canticles #5 v10)
The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the highway! ALWAYS!!!
[[ souther fried volvo '91 240 109k mi, '88 toyo camry v6le 234k mi, '96 honda accord ]]
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For me, the 855T was a good compromise in every aspect - more practical, economical, and safer (more fun as well) than my other options, SUV or minivan. Yes, I'm guilty of vainity, and I don't even get to drive it. :)
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posted by
someone claiming to be Ray N.
on
Thu Jun 6 04:32 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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Another family saved from the clutches of a minivan :)
We also have an 855. The size is mostly just right. But
for trips we use the load bars and a Thule roof carrier.
This works out very well in that we have the room needed for
weekend trips but don't end up driving a larger vehicle the
90% of the time we don't need the room.
By the way, the front seats will fold down flat with the back
parallel to the ground. You can then slide it forward with the
hedrest tucking up into the leg room. Now, you can easily
put an 8 foot (or longer) board, ladder, etc. in the car.
Amazes the neighbors when I return from Home Depot and start
unloading the wagon pulling out 10 foot pieces of trim. (Just
make sure you cover the seats when you do this since the vinyl
backs puncture and scratch easily since the back is not actually
leather.) Yep, its a sport utility wagon!
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Now for the real fun. no more looking now just drive it!!!!
You will also like a hi flow airfilter and a less restrictive muffler.
Enjoy!!
i also have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and would not think of putting her in anything but a VOLVO. Better safe than sorry!
Dan
1997 854 GLT Turbo
Volvo4life
Amsoil hi flow filter,Mobil1,tint. new exhaust,turbo boost gauge and manual boost controller on the way!
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posted by
someone claiming to be JJ Mugs
on
Thu Jun 6 06:52 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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I have a 97 855 GLT. If your car is anything like mine you will soon be spendinf all your spare time fixing it.
ie Air conditioning, engine mount (upper), seat heater, heater fan bearing, PCV hoses (clogged), power window switches, wiper arms (seized during a snow storm), windshield spray check valve, etc etc.
Nice car to drive, but man it has a LOT of little problems.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Punxsutawney Phil
on
Thu Jun 6 15:23 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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If I go slightly nuts about maintainance, with Mobil-1, excessive oil changes, and exceeding the maintainance schedule, POs (Previous Owners) seem to favor either not changing oil at all for the duration of a lease or replacing it with unrefined oil shale, (Wal-Mart, $0.89/qt.).
Most of the problems with my car have been relatively minor, so far. Many I've fixed myself. It's no Camry, but it's a lot of fun to drive!
-Punxsutawney Phil
'98 V70T5M, 96k, Mobil-1 always, full-size spare, iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Valentine-1 remote display, main antenna in visor organizer pocket
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I agree that most POs skimp on maintenance. This car's PO (a couple), however, bought the car cash (no lien on the Carfax report, which is rather rare), and they traded in for an V70XC (Lord have mercy on them), paying the difference in cash (dealer showed me the transaction papers).
Fortunately, I was able to get the service records at dealer, and they had done everything by the book. Leased cars do not receive such attention, usually.
I'm ready for repairs popping up here and there, but I hope this car holds up.
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Thanks for the heads-up.
People in my family have been rather happy with Volvos - my '93 944,
dad's '91 244, aunt's '96 964, cousin's '96 964. I know, they're all
RWDs, and perhaps it's time to get stuck with a bad one.
However, I'm not afraid to get things fixed, either myself or thru my mechanic (I'd do it myself, but too busy too often). My goal was to get a car that I liked, not a trouble-free car, and my pickiness centered around safe cage, solid body & engine. If I wanted a trouble-free car, I would've looked at Hondas, Toyotas, or Nissans. (Have a Nissan that's been absolutely trouble-free for 8 years and going strong).
Believe it or not, 855T was my dream car when it first came out, and if I waited much longer, I'd never get a chance to own one. Only time will tell how this one fares, but I intend to keep it till it falls apart, unless they resurrect the 850 model, which I seriously doubt. :)
My neighbor has an 855 na, and he's seen no trouble for 2 years, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)
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I do not have the Winter Kit so the seat heater is out.
power window switches can be cleaned if they are sticky (cupholder location)
AC, well can't do much about that. but there is a Self Sealing Refrigerant that cost about 150.00 for R134a called Cryo Chem. i can buy it down the street and i have talked to other people with 850's who have used it to fix there Evap coil leak with excellent results.
fan bearing - fan motor is cheap and easy to change.
pcv hoses (flame/oil trap) with proper maitenace tune ups, and poil changes with Synthetic (i use mobil1) will help to keep tyhis system clean, and the parts are cheap and easy to replace if needed.
windshield check valve-about 1 minute to replace.
Wiper arms-??? no idea but have heard the motor is not hard to get to or replace.
upper engine mount- replaced mine with a poly bushing kit for 21.00 and it has a lifetime guarantee.
yes theese are problems but mostly just a nusance and easy to correct if you are a do it yourselfer.
All cars have problems none are perfect, you just have to motor on and take the good with the bad.
is your car a Turbo? mine is.
Also i am a do it yourselfer (FAA certified Aircraft Mech)and have already replced due to an accident (a long story) the hood, grill, filler panel, headlights, AC condensor, turn signals, etc.
also just did a rear brake job it cost me 16.99 for the pads and replaced a rotor for 59.99.
did the front brakes, both rotors and pads for under 140.00
installing boost controller and Boost gauge this saturday.
Dan
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posted by
someone claiming to be JJ Mugs
on
Thu Jun 6 08:48 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
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Yes they are all easy to fix, but I own a couple of other cars (and owned other Volvo's) that are far less time consuming and more reliable. I am generally disappointed with this car. I could say lots of positive things about my Volvo, but the niggling little problems seem to keep cropping up. I would expect these problems on a Kia or a Hyundai, not on a 'premium priced' car.
PS The wiper problem (which I have since seen posted on this board) was caused by the bronze wiper pivot bushing only going part way through the white metal casting. The bushing was fine but the white metal corroded and picked up on the chrome shaft. Yes it was 'easy' to fix (about three hours), but not everbody keeps a 10 mm reamer at home. The electric window switches, were easy to fix, so was the engine mount, so was the PCV hose (after removing the intake manifold) etc etc. The seat heater was not easy to fix, but once your wife has a seat heater it has to be kept working!! (at least in Canada).
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This isn't a premium priced car. That would be Audi, Lexus and BMW. The Volvo is priced maybe a little higher than a totally-loaded Japanese car....but with an exponentially higher fun quotient.
And did I mention that I'll never buy another Toyota again based on my experiences with not one, but two. And my best friend just paid $300 for the processor that controls his dome lights! With all of the niggling problems he's had with his Camries, he's sworn off of Toy-yoyo, too. Guess I'd rather pay a little more for a car I really like than drive something less fun.
Please don't flame me. I'm just pointing out that that the coin has two sides.
--
(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)
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Yes i would also expect theese problems not to present on a luxury car like a volvo. I have owned other volvo's and they to had there problems. I laso owned a acura legend that was a piece of crap. a accord that was a good car and a sentra that ran like a top (wifes cars)
And yes in Canada i believe that a seat heater would be a nice addition. I am in houston Texas and the seats are always naturally heated.
And yes working on a car is either a labor of love or a nightmare.
I hope my car lasts for many years to come and we both have a trouble free volvo future.
Dan
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