Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Enjoying my 850 Turbo-starting to worry - 1996 Volvo 850
  By TomH - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car 1 year old from the dealer. I had all scheduled maint. done at the dealer. I have been very happy with reliability for the past 5 years. It now has 73K miles and I am having to do some major maint. that is very expensive. New engine mounts (known to go bad), new struts, shocks, brake rotors, radiator, dented rim. Roads are rough around Dallas and I drive it hard, it just seems like a major overhaul. I was going to trade it but decided to do the repairs and hope to keep it for another two years/25K mi.

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  Love That 1996 850 Turbo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mel - December 29 - 9:46 am

  Owned my Turbo 850 for one year. Its a used car so I had to replace the heating coil, an engine hose and stop a few oil leaks. To me, the cost was tolerable. In return, I now own a like- new Volvo. Let me tell you, on the highway, this baby runs like a cheetah. The turbo is a feature that one shouldnt be without. The car is very responsive. I bought the 850 because I, for one, like Volvos boxy style. The creature comforts are also topnotch. Theres ample head room for big guys like me. This car is a hybrid in that its an excellent family sedan, as well as a sporty car that women love. This is my second 1996 850 and I believe Ill purchase another one. I am hooked on 1996 Volvo 850s.

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  Volvo Victim - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mike - December 8 - 11:20 pm

  Like the safety, reliability and flexibility of the wagon. Have had no problems with the engine. Within the past year have had to replace oxygen sensor, ABS module, PCV valve, radiator, etc. Maintained normal maintenance schedule throughout ownership. Has 134,000 miles, but parts and service are very expensive to maintain the vehicle. Am in the process of selling due to that fact.

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  Solid but quirky - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Jerry - November 5 - 6:33 am

  I bought this car used in 2004 and still own it today. It still avgs about 20-22 mpg combined, and drives nicely. The car is as solid as a tank, but it has some of the quirkiest problems. The "idiot" lights for abs, traction control, SRS and check engine cycle on and off randomly, and theres nothing wrong with any of these items. The drivers door makes a banging sound when I open it, and currently my horn is stuck and "blowing", so I had to physically disconnect it until I can have it repaired. Enjoy the ride, if you can live with the quirks.

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  Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon Platinum Ed - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Pat Downey - October 30 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 850 Wagon off a three year lease. It currently has 80K. The car performs well, gets good gas mileage is very comfortable, and has been fairly reliable. Repairs include rear main seal and ABS control at 50K. Radio at 70K. Otherwise maintenance has been routine. Has had pinging noise which was explained as a relief valve on turbo since purchased. Interior plastic seems a bit cheap. Has squeaks and rattles.

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  Excellent reliability. - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Melarti - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Having owned many, many used cars over the past decades, I have a good baseline from which to evaluate long term reliability. I attribute excellent build quality to the phenomenal reliability that we have experienced with this car. After over 45000 miles, the only problem experienced was with a squeaky ventilation fan.

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  Great car but expensive repairs - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Geoff83 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Volvo in 1997 with 20,000 miles, now its 2004 with 145,000 miles. In that time there have been no major problems. There have been some minor things that have had to be replaced, i.e. cup holders, lamps, reverse lights, sensors. But for a car with this many miles the problems arent that bad, in fact almost all occurred with less than 50,000 miles and havnt had to be fixed again. My one big problem with the car is the price of repairs. Parts are expensive and the Volvo dealer prices are extremely high. Got in an accident and they appraised for $600 but instead went to local mechanic and payed $50 for a new grill and that was it. But safety

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  Love hate relationship - 1996 Volvo 850
  By dglassm - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I really love this car when its not in the the repair shop. Fortunately, I have found a tire shop to do my repairs. The volvo dealer repair shops are a major league ripoff. Shim kit 10 dollars online , dealership 120.00 . Rear pads and rotors 600.00 (tire shop 280)The brakes have been my major problem. Somthing is always wrong. When the check engine light comes on be sure to check the master hose , a leak here will create erroneous data on the 02 sensor. I have become used to all the sqeaks , creaks and rattles. Next time I will buy toyota/lexus or honda/acura.

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  Happy Driver - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Happy Driver - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This has been an incredible car to drive. Fun, fast and great handling...who would of thought that Volvo could produce a "sporty" car. Two thumbs up for this car, i got an awesome deal...only cost me 8,000. I had someone offer me 12,000 the day after i bought it. Great ride, love it!!!

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  1996 Volvo 850 Turbo Sedan - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Volvo 850 Turbo - June 29 - 12:00 pm

  Great Car...