I found a 95 850 turbo wagon (amethyst color) 125k miles, for $3k, one owner, who says she had it serviced at the dealer up until a few years ago when she started taking it to a local shop. She says she hasn't driven it in about 6-8 months and that it might need a new battery (I'm not sure if sitting around not being driven will lead to other problems?).

I've been trying to compile information as to what to check when I take a look at the aforementioned car (to see if it's indeed in good basic condition before I take it to a mechanic to check out). For this model so far I have:

1. Check the timing belt was taken care of at 70ishk miles, and water pump at around 110k
2. Oil changed regularly
3. Front engine mounts and crank pully at 80k
4. Check the A/C (I read somewhere that this A/C problem can be diverted by installing a filter or something?)
5. When test driving warm up the car on the freeway and check the tranny fluid (I'll have to look up how exactly this is done)
6. Check that the transmission/gears all seem to function well

Is there a way for me to check the turbo, aside from actually driving the car?

Also, I am not rolling in money, and am slightly wary about dependability issues with this model. (Ergo I'm being very careful about buying something! And for this car she says she has most of the repair receipts).

Should I just forget it and get an early 90's 240 or 700 series model with fewer things to worry about? I expect to pay a certain amount of yearly upkeep in exchange for a car that may save my life ;o)

Any input is welcome. Including good Volvo repair shops in Los Angeles (although the car is located out past Pasadena in Duarte/Monrovia....so I'm looking also for a place to do an assessment on it). So far I only know of Walter Wong who does Saabs and sometimes Volvos.

Thanks,

Saskia

Saskia,

I lived in LA for almost twenty years and owned three Volvos in that time. I used two different mechanics which I liked, although I thought they were expensive for routine things. Alas, when I was looking for my current '95 850 Turbo Wagon, which I found in Orange County, I found a great mechanic who prices were terrific. Swedish Independent Auto Service is located in Fountain Valley, CA.

Here's Mark's link - http://ocautosites.com/SwedishAuto/OurShop.htm

Although I didn't live in Orange County, I was routinely there about 3 times per month. So, it was easy to stop by for an oil change or brake service.

If you want to stay in LA county for service, try Swedish Auto Service in North Hollywood or Swedish Motors on La Brea near Olympic.

Dan
'95 950 Turbo Wagon
146,000 miles

When you bring it to the inspection, have the engine checked. At least have them measure the compression. Mine has about 220Kkm on the clock (bought 2 months ago), and has since consumed about 1 litre of oil per 1000km - a thing you will never know when buying. After I brought it to a service, they said the compression is weak in 3 of 5 cylinders, which is quite an expensive fix - many parts to be replaced in the engine.
Anyway, I'm rather thinking of fixing this than changing the car, although it may cost less - the 850T really IS addictive.

My mechanic said it's easy to identify this kind of problems - take a ride for some 5 minutes, then stop, and with the engine still running, pull the oil dipstick out. If you see the fumes coming out, the engine is probably coming to an end. He also said it's 2 of 3 850s on the market with this problem. At least here.

Hi Turbo...

I hope you've read some of the previous postings on this board from people thinking of buying an 850 or 850 turbo.... there have been a few in the past couple weeks.

There are "weak links" in most vehicles, and 850's have their share. The good news is that most of them are pretty well known, and the frequency of trouble, how to fix it, and what it costs, are also well known. You'll find a number of responders on this site who will be happy to share their thoughts, experiences, and solutions with you. Quite a few are experienced "shade tree mechanics", and some are professionals.

The need to replace the timing belt on the car you're looking at is only 15,000 miles away. If you are not a "do-it-yourselfer", you are looking at the replacement of the timing belt, and its idler and tensioner pulleys, the serpentine belt and its idler and tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. That can run around $1200.00 at a Volvo dealer, perhaps $800.00 at a good independant mechanic.

If there is a leak in the evaporator coil, (if that's what turns out to be the problem with the air conditioning) it's a major job to replace it... figure $1500.00. The "fix" you were asking about is the addition of a cabin air (pollen) filter... good idea for the future... it's easy.

Car hasn't been driven in a year? Make sure the tires aren't "flat spotted" from sitting for so long in one place.

Now to the best part. The 850 turbos have stiff but excellent suspensions, good brakes, and great acceleration. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, which is also good, because the tendency is to dip into the performance capability of these things. Their handling has to be experienced to be fully understood. They are a hoot to drive, and are among the greatest "sleepers" around. Virtually silent at normal throttle, they have a unique sound as they rev.

Back to the "not driven in a year" part. If the previous owner hasn't used it in a year, perhaps the $3000.00 asking price is sort of arbitrary.... you know... not too much, not too little. The car was quite expensive when new, but if it's just sitting there, it effectively has zero value to its current owner. You might be able to point out the probability of expensive repairs, and offer $2000.00. You didn't say anything about the condition of the paint or interior, or if it has a sunroof or the side impact air bags, or whether it has been garaged or baking in the sun for 10 years.

Bear in mind that IF you buy it, and IF you do all the needed repairs as they arise, you'll likely never have to do them again... most of these "failure areas" are things which only need attention one time during the life cycle of these cars. And they are indeed long lived vehicles... expect it to go well beyond its next timing belt change at 210,000 miles.

Unique in appearance, a bit quirky, but highly addictive, and thoroughly enjoyable. Also among the safest cars on the road.

Get it started, take it to a mechanic for a basic checkup... then bargain and buy. You'd be hard pressed to find this much entertainment at anywhere near the price.

Good luck

Marty
'96 855T

Thanks everyone for so many helpful responses. I'm going to look at it on Monday morning when I can take it to a mechanic and will keep in mind all of the pointers. Yes it's hard to find a good condition Volvo around Los Angeles, with records and everything. I'm from Seattle where there is a strong Volvo 'culture' and people tend to keep them in much better condition!

If it turns out to be an evaporator coil leak as the cause of the A/C outage can I get away with just not repairing it, or will the leak damage other things in the engine? (I'm pretty ignorant about car mechanics...;o)

She said she has had it in the garage the entire time, and that the horn is also no longer working (! will have to get that fixed! any ideas of how $$?). Condition she said is pretty good except the passenger side seat is worn a bit (she has kids).

She said she has had offers lower than 3k (I don't know how much lower) so I'm guessing she's going to try and hold out for it. If the mechanic estimates repairs are over $1500 or so I'll make an offer accordingly. Edmunds true value puts the car at around $2800 (with the A/C out) so I might try that as a base offer.

I'm selling my 91 BMW coupe for $2500 so the increase in safety for a little more is appealing to me, even if I have to make repairs in the near future (which, if I were the original owner, I'd have to do anyway...).

If the A/C doesn't work, it has no effect on anything else. There is a historically strong possibility that the reason the A/C isn't working is the result of a slow regrigerant leak in the evaporator coil. There is a low pressure switch which prevents the air conditioner's compressor from engaging when the internal system pressure is below a certain level. Small leaks (emphasis on small) can often be essentially ignored for extended periods of time, and the A/C made to work, by adding small amounts of refrigerant periodically. May cost you a few bucks every year to add refrigerant, but that sure beats the complete dashboard disassembly that's required to remove and replace the evaporator coil. And by a few bucks I'm talking $20.00.

The results of an indy mechanic's inspection will be interesting.

If she's kept the car for this long, even though she hasn't been using it, she may be exhibiting a functional disorder known as Volvomania. She'll want her old car to go to someone who'll give it a warm and loving home. She knows it can be a bit tempermental, but still is having trouble parting with it.

Check the oil, check the coolant level, get it started, warm it up, check the tranny fluid, get it to the mechanic. The drive there should be interesting. I wouldn't recommend anything other than a gentle drive on a car that's been inactive for so long, at least not until it's been inspected... but rolling into the throttle a little and getting a bit o' boost will help you to understand the car's personality... :)

If the inspection doesn't turn up anything too extreme, I think this has potential.

Good luck

Marty
'96 855T

Thanks yet again you have been very insightful! Should I take it to a dealer for inspection? I just don't want to pay an arm and a leg for an inspection. I had to pay $250 to the BMW dealer when I had mine checked out when I first bought it--major ripoff!! Then again I recently saw some people posting complaints about the dealer (Santa Monica BMW) so maybe I just had a really bad experience?

I'll have to look up online now how to check the tranny fluid ;o) I do know how to check the oil, at least...I'm not completely helpless!

Thanks,

Saskia

Hi again, Saskia...

You live in a mighty expensive part of the country! I'd ask around to find an independent mechanic with a good reputation in your own neighborhood.

To give the car a pretty good going over shouldn't take much more than 2 to 2 1/2 hours, at around $65.00/hr.


I'm gettin' more and more curious as to how this turns out... :)

Hope you found yourself a winner!
Keep posting.... please

Marty
'96 855T

Saskia--for what it's worth, after reading all the other posts: 850's will tend to nickle and dime you to death, initially, but once all the little repairs (and some big) have been done, they are fairly reliable. I just bought a 97R wagon in May with 49.9K miles on it. Since then I discovered the evaporator was shot (you can hear the little A/C switch behind the glove box clicking on and off every ten or so seconds, telling you the pressure is low and that you 90% certain have a leak in the evaporator--$1500 if Volvo replaces it), my ABS module quit working two weeks ago and had to be repaired by Victor Rocha (the only way to have it done) for $145 plus shipping, and day before yesterday when I went to get the tank filled, the little door over the gas cap wouldn't open. There's an inside release, but I have to hit the wrecking yards again for a replacement solenoid. So yes, there are aggravations to owning one. But as one post said, it is a beautiful car to drive. And, very safe.

But I will sound one very negative note: You said a 95. 95's did not come with side airbags except as an option. In 96 and 97 (the last year they made the 850) the side airbags were standard. Given the exponential rise in traffic on the highways today, you can't have too much protection, and I personally wouldn't buy an 850 before 96 unless it had the side airbag in the side of the seat where they are located. It is just too easy these days to get T-boned at an intersection, and the side airbag is what's going to save you.

Check the repairs and find out if the ABS module has been replaced or repaired. They will eventually fail. Check the A/C by listening for the little clicking sound behind the glove box which will indicate low freon and a leak in the system somewhere. Look for a repair that says PNP switch replaced. Another will-always-fail item. But don't be discouraged by all the above. If it has side airbags, buy it. Dick

i think the side airbag was standard with 95 turbos. first car ever. i think.

Get her receipts and total them up. My car (140K mi) came with a folder of most repairs that had been done since new. If I had opened it before I bought the car (I didn't know about the laundry list to look for - I trusted the seller and got lucky) I might not have bought it. That said, I am very happy I did. If you want to know if the turbo is working, step on the gas pedal! No lag, almost imperceptable sound and lots of power. Yes, expensive to own and repair, but a great ride. If you do your own work you can reduce the bills; there are a lot of sources of help (this site, bay13, etc). I wanted to buy a service manual and the people here said "forget it" and "let us help you". I followed their advice and have had a great experience. Good luck.

So it has not been driven in about one year, and the AC is not working. The timing belt was taken care of and it has a new automatic transmission. Does the transmission often go out in Volvos???

Hi,
My wife has a 95 850T wagon with 225K on it. So far your list seems fairly complete. We love our wagon but as you correctly surmised, repairs on this model ain`t cheap so regular maintenance is very important. You mentioned new transmission, do you mean a new transmission or just that it`s been replaced? The AC on our car wasn`t working when we bought it but we only get maybe a week of really hot weather so the AC wasn`t an issue.
I`d recommend getting the car thoroughly checked out if it`s a serious contender for a purchase. I don`t know the market in your area but if it`s anything like ours it maybe tough to find a 240/740 in good condtion considering they are all now at least almost 14 yrs old. That said, I guess there are some out there!
Bottom line; would we buy another 850/V70? Very likely, the car runs great, its fun to drive, we think it`s a pretty "safe" car(my wife commutes a 100 miles 5 days a week)it`s very comfortable to drive, etc.
Good luck!
Rich