I like driving our 850, but should I bail out now before the next onslaught of repairs with over 100k miles? I already paid for the following repairs in the last couple of years: ABS Module, heater core, in tank fuel pump (big $), water pump, alternator. Not to mention the usual timing belt, brake and rotor hassles, etc.

I haven't (knock on wood) been hit up with the following items typically heard on this forum: AC evaporator, second round of ABS module repair, air mass meter, transmission, rear main seal, turbo, electrical gremlins, etc. I DIY as much as I can, but I am getting a little tired of about $1000 to $2000 per year BEYOND the standard wear items and routine maintenance, which I keep up with.

its a very interesting point...and one i sypathise with (but in my case its my 940 turbo thats the bone of contention)...

I think the real issue is (a) do i like driving it enough to justify the payments (b) can i buy anything better (or that i will enjoy driving more) and face similar outlay (or less) (c) is it unreliable - or mearly expensive...

In the case of my 940 the only unreliability is flat batteries (caused by the driving pattern of my wife and the heavy duty car alarm it has on it...but thats another story!), in terms of cost i figure $1000 per annum in maintenance on a car isnt bad PROVIDING Im not making payments on it...

Yes volvo's arnt cheap in parts...but then again they are nice...and the do go...and before we get all huffy lets consider that a new car will HAVE to be taken tothe main dealer to keep the warrenty (OUCH!) and just basic servicing could add up to $1000 per year at a dealer...

Having said all that I am amazed how BAD some peoples 850's seem to be (sure hope mine doesnt turn out to be!) having driven lots of very high milage cars 200-300k (vw's, gm, peugeot etc) and yes ok they all had their little foibles (peugeot ate an ignition stage every 50k without fail - got to carrying a spare in the glove box....) but the cost of running one IS BY FAR cheaper than a new car...

I saw an article the eother day sateing new cars loose abotu 50% of their value in the first 3 years...and you think $1000 per annum is expensive!

so bassically if you like it, its not unreliable and you cant runn anything better ofr the money keep it, if not SELL...

I am taking one of our 97 turbo GLT's in tomorrow for the last warranty claim (oil leak), and a timing belt. I use a dealer and a particular mechanic. When I called him, he was noticeably upset. I asked how it was going? He said that the newer Volvos are absolutely garbage. When I found this and the other 97 GLT, he said that was the best year I could buy. I have put in, brakes and rotors (front).

I did rebuild the power steering rack on my own because I had access to a free kit. I have done the other obvious: Oil changes tranny flush, thermostat (wasn't bad, just about time for one and they are cheap), and a turbo return line repair. That's it.

I have to agree with that about 97's. I have a 97 850 in that the only service done on it outside of warranty has been normal maintenance up to 85,000 miles.

Figure it this way, once you have put all of that money into your car, then at least you know it is fixed and won't break for a long time.

Example: My wife drives an 87 Corsica with 120,000 miles. I have replaced just about everything on the engine. Why does this make me feel good? Because I don't have to worry about those items breaking again for a long time. Stuff happens though.

I don't look to replace a vehicle until the monthly maintenance costs exceed what it costs to buy a new car, assuming you have the money to buy a new vehicle. I also consider that it is cheaper to pay $1000 for a new tranny if all else works fine than to spend $15000 on a new car, of which I don't know anything about, and such could leave me worse off than the car I already own.

You're right on the $. I guess I just needed reassuring. I love driving the 850, when my wife lets me. And the mpg is excellent.

Sounds like you're getting bummed about ownership of this particular car. Once I reach that point there's not much that will make me fall back in love with them. Might be time to let it go. Only you can decide if you want newer or even Volvo again.

There are no guarantees of course and if you keep it, at the very least you'll need to start saving up for the rear seal replacement. $900-$1100.

I've been very lucky in the two years I've owned my '95 855t. I've changed the oil, tires, upper engine mount (IPD), front 02 sensor, turbo oil return pipe gasket & O-ring and the radiator.

$175 for the radiator
$30 or so for the mount
$10 for the oil pipe O-ring & gasket
$125 for the 02 sensor
$35 for a battery
Making the total for repairs $375 for two years. Not counting oil & filters, 1 set of spark plugs, dist cap and rotor and tires. I feel lucky.

Now it's been passed on to my wife and she's STILL deciding whether to keep it or the van. I'm keeping the 745t (EASY and CHEAP to maintain, even at 191,000 miles). If she decides she doesn't want the 850 I'll try and sell it again, buy a '93 or '94 940 wagon for her and the kids, then sell the van.

Point is, you've had some maintenance issues and only you can decide if your particular car's cost of ownership is acceptable or not. I've had newer American made vehicles, even brand new, that were maintenance and reliability PIGS and figured if I was going to drop $500 every time I took that God forsaken Ford truck to the dealer I might as well have a European car. (That's when I bought the 855t)

I'd never consider a newer Volvo. They've gotten far too complex for even the dealership to maintain in my opinion. For reliability you simply CANNOT beat Japanese cars. We only sold my wife's college car, a '91 Nissan Sentra XE she bought as a demo, because it was too small for us and two kids. It had 183,000 miles and I'd maintained it since 70,000. It needed nothing but oil and filter changes, 2 sets of tires, spark plugs, brake pads/shoes and a belt in 8 years. Not even a light bulb. Even had the original exhaust and everything worked as it should.

The advice I always give is: If you want another Volvo, find a '90s 740/940, accumulate a small collection of tools, learn where the salvage yards are and live happy.

Hope it helps,

--
Erwin in Memphis, '88 745t 193,000 miles, '95 855t 96,000 miles

Depends on what you plan to replace it with. If you're thinking of a newer Volvo, THAT could be a big mistake as newer Volvos are more costly to own after the warranty is up and definately more problematic than ANY 850.
If it was my car, I'd keep the 850.

Good points. I would probably replace it with a two year old Accord, Camry, Maxima, etc. Or maybe even a 1994 940 Turbo! My 240 with 130,000 is running about $200 to $500 every year for repairs (and that might include normal maint. on a good year!)

If you're staying with Volvo, most '93-95 940Ts were and still are very good and almost troublefree cars compared to ANY AWD/FWD Volvo, especially those newer than '97.
The Japanese cars wouldn't be bad choices either IMO.

jeese u think a 940 turbo is cheaper..try mine! $1000 PA...I wish...

My mom's 940 was a hunk of crap.

1. It's cheaper to continue maintaining the car as you've done. Is the hassle-factor worth it?

2. It's more fun to buy something new and not have to rely on the great advice these forums provide!

I just picked option #2, BTW. :)

That's about the same financial formula I remember for driving any eurocar, about 1 $1000 repair or 2 $500 repairs every 12,000 miles.

It's much better than leasing a new BMW 760iL for $2222 per month!

I'd suggest waiting until you get to a couple of flatbed tows every 6 months. (I'm close to that level, right now.)

-Sami

'98 V70T5m, 134,000 mi.

I desided to trade mY 97 850 wagon in on a saab 9-5 se, My car
had the following problems, : abs mod was bad, shocks and struts wherebad
control are bushings where shot, the timing belt was due to be changed
and I still owed 5500 bucks on it, the repairs plus what I owed on it
was more than the car was worth (trade in)

I opted to trade it in on a 00 saab 9-5 se 34k with two years left
on the bumper to bumper.

if I owned the volvo out right I would have kept it, No matter
what you will pay at least 500 to 700 year on reapirs still cheaper
than a car payment.

I love the saab but miss the wagon, I have my 93 850 in the shop getting everthing fixed could be 600 plus bill but worth it, I cant not replace the car for that and I know all the things done and what it needs.

good luck

Good point. Those flatbed tows will really get you down. I have only had 1 flatbed tow.