This is a quick story about the life and death of our beloved 850.

I learned to drive in a Volvo and have been driving them ever since (late 70's). Shortly before my wife and I got married, she was in an accident in her non-Volvo. It was a head on crash and she ended up in the hospital for a few days. Her car was a complete loss.

She decided that she wanted a car like mine (a 740 at the time). Long story short, we bought her a beautiful 850. That was over 8 years ago, and it has been a wonderful car to own and drive.

A few weeks ago, she was on a thoroughfare and was hit head-on (again). This time instead of being in an ambulance en route to the hospital, she was waiting on the sidewalk for me to pick her up. The 850 sustained so much damage that the insurance guy asked her about her injuries and was astonished that she did not have a scratch. Once again, the car was a total loss. It was heartbreaking for my wife as she never owned a car that long (8 years) nor drove it that far (200k miles). She really loved driving it and had no intentions of replacing it anytime soon. (By the way the other guy was okay, just looked a little shaken up... of course his car was the source of most of the accident's energy).

For the last few weeks, we have been actively looking for her new Volvo (I currently have a V70 that we are very happy with). As fate would have it we bought her a practically new S80 that is the the same color (inside and out) as the 850.

Even though our cars can be expensive to drive and have an occasional quirk I sure am glad Volvos are what we are driving in the event of a crash.

Thanks

How timely, Bear. I'm on my 2nd wagon (prior was '98 V70 AWD - time bomb) current is '96 T Wagon (108k miles). It's had it's share of problems: Thermostat, rear hatch panel loose, squealing brakes, O2 sensor, flashing ECC lights, frozen intercooler this winter, ABS light (probably failing), oil return line leak, blower fan, computer display light, upper torque bushing, etc etc etc. Tonight I discovered the e-brake shoe linings are separating from the metal plate and making a horrible noise. Of course, no local parts place carries the shoes since I had the wheel & caliper off; I guess I'll have to order it. I came in & told the wife "Don't EVER let me buy another Volvo piece of junk." Then, almost in the same breath, I said "But I really like the car - it's safe, looks good, fast, tons of room. But MAN it's high maintenance.
So yeah, with all my bills (recently bought a used Honda ST1100 touring bike), I guess I'll hang onto it for awhile.

Thanks for the breath of fresh air. Except my pollen filter quit working. ; )

so glad your wife is ohk...

i too feel extremely safe in the 850... i bought a used one and it's the first volvo for me... the heaviness of it is what gets me; iniside of other automobiles if i'm driving, the difference is serious... the people i know who drive them will only drive volvo from here on out, and i fink i'm bitten by the same euro car bug...

best to your wife!

belle

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'After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music' - Aldous Huxley