I know this begs the limits of a technical discussion, but I simply can't resist as the Opinions forum here is less active than what it used to be.

I imagine like many of you, people are always asking why we keep hanging onto our old RWD Volvos. Although my sig line clearly expresses self doubt, I'm usually adamant about reliability, maintainability, practicality and economy, the latter mostly in terms of frugality. I may also mutter something about familiarity, but I worry that starts to suggest I may simply not know any better, an admittedly valid argument.

I used to mention Volvo's pioneering safety features like 3-point seatbelts, SIPS, even air bags and ABS, but that's all standard issue these days. Even before the days of crash test dummies and DOT crash ratings, Volvo made a big deal out of structural integrity implying crash worthiness. Who amongst us old timers can forget the Volvo ad with a stack of seven 140s on top of each other? Well, that's nothing in comparison to this torture test video posted by the Tibermotor Volvo dealership in Madrid, Spain. In case you haven't seen it:


(if Benny Hill music makes you cringe, may I recommend volume off)

So to make a technicial discussion of this, if that's what an 850 can survive, do you think our 940, 740 or 240s would fare as well?



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At first I thought I had COVID because I couldn't breathe. Then I unbuttoned my pants and all was okay. Take care and play safe!
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now

Great video! You should just post it with a simple title - Indestructible 850!

Crash worthiness isn't everything. I rode motorcycles for years, on the street and in the dirt. I had a 60 SAAB, '61 Mini, a MG 1100, a Gremlin, a Corvair station wagon, and a '68 Beetle. I would love to drive any of them again.

We have owned 3-700s, 3-850, and now the XC70s and I appreciate their safety, but I can enjoy a drive in my '54 Chevy.

Every year wee travel from Massachusetts to Minnesota to visit our daughter - we have '08 and '12 XC70s. I would not hammer my way across route 90 through Ohio without them - BUT if you go across Canada the trip in a 745 TI would be a pleasure.

BTW - You should see the pictures of our '89 744TI that was hit in the side by a drunk driver running a red light - The steering wheel when up to the roof, the driver's footwell was less than a foot wide, bur our daughter and three passengers were unhurt - the trauma center could not believe this and x-rayed her legs and hips to be sure!

You may want to ask Klaus and folks on the AWD/FWD side.

Sort of an apples and pears (or other pomme fruit) comparison?

I'm prejudice in favor of all things RWD Volvo. The PRV V6 and inline white block engine sort of exceptions. (Why not merely go from B30 OHV to B30xx OHC like the BMW engines without the slant like B30 with or without the slant like evolution I-6 as with B30 to B21, yet an iron alloy cylinder head.)

I like the early 850s without Turbo and fitted with the manual (M56?) gearbox.

Home repair service is more difficult then the living room sized engine bay in 700/900 and spare room sized 240 engine bay. No fan of the 240 transmission tunnel (with large, fat hands like I have now and in the 1980s).

Before variable valve timing and the ever perpetuating upmarket drive that Volvo did to make the real people's car (VW, boo lest a 1979 Sirocco with manual gear box and K-Jetronic) into some luxury upmarket.

1995 and 1996 may be the best years before the changes began. No fan of the AWD system that got worse around 2004 with that angle gear thing.

I love the first C70 hardtop version as I want coupe over all, yet the changes started in 1997.

If moving from RWD 700/900 to FWD, you will need to up your tool set somewhat.

Else, I dunno. Yet you'll find on the AWD/FWD section here many that have made the migration to FWD with varying experience.

Happy Sat-Your-Day.

If the timing belt breaks on the 850s v 70 s you ahave to rebuild the engine,,on a 740/940 just replace the belt

If you replace the timing belt on time there will be no issues. I have owned both Volvo and VW’s with interference engines and never had an issue.

Funny video! Saw that sometime ago when I got my first 850 after owning a 240 for many years. Made me laugh :) No question that all Volvos are pretty tough and would make good Demolition Derby cars!!
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

...unless it's got a 16-valve DOHC B234F, of course, then it's the same story as any other modern interference engine
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Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now