Hi: I am looking at buying a 850 AWD 1997 w 81 K miles & a 5sp manual trans.
I'd not to have a computer controlled auto. trans.
I own two 91 bricks (740 & 940) both turbo wgns (B230FT). Super cars haven't had any problems I couldn't fix myself.

The wife is looking for something a little shinier. In Ottawa Canada 13 years of winter road salt has taken its toll on my 91s.

The older stuff in decent shape is harder & harder to find.

Anyone own both types & how does the 850 compare to the 740/940, mileage, repair costs, reliability, etc.?

ibs740

850 series is notorious for being effected by the "Lawn mower" sindrome.
When 850's in my neighborhood don't start, I know exectly how to get them going again.

I have a 93 245 and previously owned a 94 855 turbo. The 855 was far more unreliable. I replaced front axle boots frequently, seat back cables, trans PNP switch, rear sway bar (bracket cracked!), the strut top mounts, motor mounts, I had the whole dash out to repair cracked dash supports, the door hinges had to be re-welded, the side trim and mud flaps had to be R and R'ed, and when I sold it, it needed an alternator rebuild and a new radiator. All this at about 110,000 miles. Depending on the year there were also problems with the evaporator, but I was lucky enough not to experience this.

I have an 87 765t and a 97 855. The 760 gets a bit better mileage, on the average; about 27mpg vs 25, mostly highway. They seem to be equally reliable, to me. The 850 body seems to be much better at resisting corrosion, but it's also 10 years newer, so maybe that's not a fair comparison. I prefer driving the 760, my wife prefers the 850.

The 760 is easier to work on, IMHO. On the 850 it always seems like there are several other things to remove before you can get to what you need to do. Also, with the 5 cylinder engine and the transmission stuffed sideways into the engine compartment, there's a lot less clearance to work with.

Pet peeves: On the 850 they moved the electric window switches from the doors to the center console, and the gas cap is on the opposite side, ensuring that I pull up to the wrong side of the pump far too often!
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244, 855, 765t

I would love to get 27 mpg with my 89 760. Yours is an auto, right?
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'Be blessed in your quest'' 89 764 (110K), '94 940T (180K)

It’s worth noting that you’ve posted this in the RWD forum. So you’re likely to get somewhat biased opinions.

That being said… you can’t beat a 940/740 for ease of maintenance.
I’m not fond of FWD cars in general. But if I was forced to go FWD, I’d be more inclined to go with a Toyota than a Volvo.

If it helps, you can still get a RWD Volvo up to model-year 1998. A late model 960 or a S90/V90 will be quite a step up from your 760. By all accounts they are magnificent automobiles. This will likely be my next purchase when my wife decides that her ’93 945T is no longer shinny enough for her.

Just my 2 cents... arguably worth that.

Jeff Pierce
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'93 945 Turbo ( one kickass family car ! ) 190K miles, '92 Mercedes 190E (my daily driver) 165K miles, '93 945T (sold), '53 Willys-Overland Pickup (my snow-plow truck/conversation piece -- sold to a loving home), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow