|
|
|
As I understand it, this was the first model year for the 850. I'm planning to go look at a '93 850GLT as a first car for a teen. Has 140K miles, seems reasonably priced for Seattle area at under $3500. Were there any major quality problems with this first year? I've had a '97 850GLT for about two years and aside from some of the electronic quirks (ABS) and incessant brake squealing I've really enjoyed the car. I'm a little concerned the '93 may be too much car for a teen (power wise). I really like the 240 body style and have been looking for one for a couple of months but for some reason in the northwest, 240's command a considerable premium over the early 90's 740 and even 850 body styles. Anyone have theories why?
One more question - is it true the '93 850 has passenger side airbags as well? Any testamonies or 'heads up' on what to watch out for are much appreciated!
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be fixit2003
on
Mon Mar 21 04:42 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
Only if you can lockout the tranny "sport" mod. A teenage boy in this car will get you into expensive tranmission problems very quickly.
|
|
-
|
|
My opinion is to avoid the 93's.
The main reason being that they don't make any aftermarket parts so everything has to be OEM and is very expensive. I also don't know if I would put a teen into an 800 series car. If you can find a good 700 I would suggest going that route since they are a lot more durable and have a lot more metal, (okay, there are definitely not as appealing as the 800's).
By the way, the 93 850's do not have side air bags, I think 96 was the first year for those.
Armie
--
'94 850 154000kms '86 760GLE 272000kms
|
|
-
|
|
|
Check the service records closely regarding tranny. If still original, you may have to replace it soon and only another 93 will do. If you can find a 94 or 95 you will be better off, IMHO.
Check the web for 240s. There is a Texas chapter of VCOA with classifieds, verrry interesting.
Remember, if you fly to get a car, buy a roundtrip ticket... it's cheaper than one way. And the Feds don't like people who fly one way.
Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)
|
|
-
|
|
|
Well- my two cents! I just got into 850s the past two years - on volvo number 61 since 79! Mostly 140s, 240s and 740s (strangely no 940s ever). My first 850 was a 1995 green sedan with 142K - great car - fixed the flame trap oil leak - got the car for 3200 two years ago - ny niece let a tree fall on it at Y camp this summer - gone for good!
Second 850 is a gold 93 wagon got for $900 two years ago right after buying the green one. It needed brakes, tires, interior clean up - timing belt and water pumpt radiator. I put 2000 in it. It had a trans changed at 150k and I got it at 160K - so that was a big plus. Having usual ac problems - worked last summer - but evaporater is probably shot. That said - it is by far a great car - put 2000 miles on it going to FLA and not a peep out of it. I absolutley love it. Has 175K and nothing has gone wrong - a sweetheart!
Third 850 is a 1994 ruby red wagon - got it this summer to replace the 95. Has 106K - had a few issue, ac needed a drier, did timing belt as prevention, had the gas tank recall, did all brakes paid 3950 (same as I got for insurance on 95) and put another 1600 in it so far. Changed trans fluid (was concerned as it was dirty when purchased) so far so - good. Having a nagging starting issue currently and two alloy rimms got destroyed in bad snow - love it but still needs some tlc - this one feels different than the 93 and 95 though!
Fourth 850 I just got off ebay last week - 93 blue sedan with 160K. Owner got hit in front with no collision insurance. Had four new Kuhmo tires on it as of 1/29/05 - paid 325 for the car (she paid 350 for tires at Sears) and swapped tires onto my gold 93 immediately - so I got the car for the tow price of 125. It needs a hood, radiator and consensor, bumper, turn assembly, maybe fenders. I am going to fix it for under $1000 if possible. Did run for tow truck guy but once I pulled the hood up , relays and wires broke - no start. No air bag deploy and no front suspension damage - both fenders might be salavaged and still work. Big project but I think it's a nice car with all records from day one. Amazed how may good car get shipped to junk yards when they need some fixing and can still run another 100K.
In terms of teen drivers, my niece drove a 740 initially, a 240 (wrecked it at IU) and then the 850 (junior in college). She didn't realize the 240s and 740s where slow until I got the first 95 850 two years ago and she took it away from her Mom! We still have a 88 740 she drives on occassion, but I plan to get into the v and s series or more 850s down the line. Can do less major work (like head replacement, rear mains and trans work) on 850s but the little 93 gold 850 has sold me - it runs better than my 88 240 sedan I ran for five years!! The 93 does not have the sips - I think that started in late 94 or 95. Not sure if my 94 wagon has sips or not!
Bob Weber
Hamilton, Ohio 45013
61 Volvos since 1979
VCOA member
http://home.cinci.rr.com/rweber6/
Economy still sucks in Ohio and I am a republican! Would like to vote over again!
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Mike
on
Mon Mar 28 04:58 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
I have been driving and maintaing my volvos since 1974. Well I currently have all three modelsyou speak of in the driveway as I write. The 850 of this vintage will begin to nickle and penny you. Much more appealing car to drive yet our 93glt has over 3000,000 miles on it and I am faced with many troublesome repairs that I can do but frankly dont want to. Failed power seat tilt, glovebox stuck shut, blower fan failure, constantly recharging a/c system, tire ware due to worn suspension steering components and shocks also roof rail trim needs repainted.I yearly change out the complete automatic transmission oil to prevent the transmission failure. She has been good to us and fun to drive yet there comes a time when I wonder if my time and talent and monies would be wise in this model and vintage. Now that I said that my 240 90, 84 and 740 87 all have high mileage and children using them daily yet I find that these models are not pron to the same mechanical failures as the 850. The early 240 most be researched carefully to determine if the updated wiring harness is installed if not the oem one is proably got rotted out insulation. I prefer the 740 over the 240 simply for comfort for me cause I am a tall person and like the more spacious cabin interior. Good luck
|
|
-
|
|
|
"Amazed how may good car get shipped to junk yards when they need some fixing and can still run another 100K."
Totally agree with you on that one. Lots of "totalled" cars out there marked with salvage titles that are in great mechnical condition. Back in 2001, my 98 V70 was sitting at an insurance auction with rear quarter panel and bumper cover damage--that's it. Couldn't understand why they had totalled it other than it had 93K and maybe the car had depreciated to the point that the parts/labor were more than 40% or 50% of the value of the car. Didn't make sense, but I offered $4000 and got the car. With a new quarter panel and bumper cover it was good as new. Probably couldn't get more than $5000 for it because of the salvage title, but it's at 123K with no end in sight. Like your 93 blue sedan, there are deals to be had out there if you look.
Good luck.
--
Scott - '98 V70 T5M
|
|
-
|
|
|
"240's command a considerable premium over the early 90's 740 and even 850 body styles. Anyone have theories why?"
240 Volvos are "cult cars". The 240 technology is the "cutting edge" of 1967 technology, so for people whose view-of-the-world clocks stopped in 1967, nothing else will do!
The '93 850 has a lot of parts that are unique to the model year. The timing belt is narrower and is replaced at 50,000 miles instead of the later 70,000 miles. The wheels are 4-bolt so the brake rotors are 4-hole instead of the later 5-hole rotors. The automatic transmission is different. Even the headlights are different.
NO, the '93 does NOT have side airbags. The side airbags started on turbo models a couple years later. (You can look up the years-models on the Volvo website.)
Just a couple of weeks ago I was looking at a very nice, very well kept 1997 850 Turbo for my own kid. I thought about it for a couple of days and decided I really don't need another headache.
Unlike wine and whiskey, Volvo electrical systems do NOT get better as they get older.
If you're looking for a SAFE car for you kid, try the latest study from IIHS http://www.carsafety.org (click on the box in the upper right hand corner of the web page) and pick one of the "top 10" for safety that makes sense to you.
Volvo is not on the list.
-BTC
|
|
-
|
|
|
This is not an answer but a question. I just posted asking about a 97 850 with auto trans and the 20 valve 5 cyl engine that I am looking at.
Could you tell me how you are doing as far as fuel mileage and dependability.
Thanks, Clyde
|
|
-
|
|
|
I have had Volvos since 1973(122,142,244,240,245,850). I do my own repairs, much more than other car guys. I do my homework on buying too. I bought a Taurus(l yr old Hertz car). It was for my college daughter(commuter). Good car and lots of depreciation b4 I bought it. Big factor. Big difference between comfort in my wife's '93 850 and 2001 Taurus, but bang for the buck, Taurus for college kid hard to beat. Also looked at Accord and Camry numbers. Like old Beetles, they do not depreciate. Nobody wants a Taurus but it has good record. Bought a '95 for my son too. Has 130k on it and doing fine. If you have the inclination, I suggest creating folder(I use 3 ring binder) and start logging in cars for sale by name and year. It can reveal depreciation schedule, what's available etc. I even call folks who are selling to get info. I record everything. You'd be surprised what wacko prices are out there. Only by going this route can I spot a deal. Bought a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 last Jun for 7K this way. Did not argue about price. Just put money down quickly. Pays to have money at the ready! Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
