Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Reliable Workhorse - 1996 Volvo 850
  By DETIGEL - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Great car and relatively inexpensive (for us) in upkeep, except for scheduled maintenance -all at dealer- we have had no problems. We do use summer and winter tires, car does not handle that great in the winter (however probably not worse than other front wheel drives.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Cheapflyfishing sob - April 26 - 2:00 am

  This car drives me crazy. On one hand, it is a very nice car and holding up very well. On the other hand, as a former Honda owner, it is frustrating. Lots of problems with dashboard - major squeek in radio area and the glovebox had to be replaced because they couldnt stop the door from squeaking. Many similar problems as other people such as A/C, calipers, O2 sensor. The dashboard remains creaky-cheap plastic. But the amazing thing is that the creaks have not changed since the first year I had the car.

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  A European Buick! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By djfkeefe - March 5 - 3:00 pm

  Major advantage: comfort, most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Gasoline mileage respectable - 25 mpg. Major drawback: maintenance costs - cost $4800 in the 4 yrs I owned it, and was facing as much for this year. Started to use oil, 1 qt per 3M miles. Wind-dam too low, knocked it off several times on low concrete barriers (difficult repair). Nonsensible design: headlight wipers, but no rear window wiper? Why?

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  No complaints! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Shinichi - September 9 - 4:20 pm

  This car has been very reliable. It is a great highway car and four people can truly travel in comfort and style. It could have more power, but what car couldnt. Better than expected gas mileage at 80mph. Engine is just as smooth at 100,000miles as when new. excellent.

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  Love my Volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Paula - July 11 - 6:40 pm

  When I bought this car it needed a new timing belt, which also means a new water pump. Other than that it is so much fun to drive, lots of pep,easy to haul my 100 pound dog and cat in, and easy for them to get inand out. It gets better mileage than our 2003 Cadillac, and looks great doing it. The cup holders are the only problem, and theyre horrible.

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  expensive but nice - 1996 Volvo 850
  By sarahbaker - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for a little over 8 years now. It is an awesome car - great interior, solid exterior, fun to drive. My biggest complain has simply been with the cost of repairs. In the past year and a half I have put well over $2000 into the car. With the car not even being worth much more than that, it is time to say goodbye. I would recommend this car highly, but only if you have the funds to maintain it. It requires more money than I can put into it, but I truly do hate to see it go.

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  Money Pit - 1996 Volvo 850
  By KBarry - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is an utter joy to drive and one of the most comfortable cars when it is not in the repair shop. This year alone Ive had the rear main seal, ABS controle module and radiator fan go. Very common problems on these cars and Volvo does not stand behind them, especially the brake problems. They claim they have no knowledge of these problems. I have filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association for the brake problems. Repairs are astronomical and relaibility is subpar for a luxury vehicle.

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  A Lemon - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Pinny - January 30 - 4:03 am

  The 850 GLT is a money pit. When it works the car is fast and stable. It handles great and looks sleek, but I have had to sink 2500 dollars into the car just to keep it on the road. Each time I do it is reliable for about 3 weeks before something else happens. So far, I have had trouble with the fuel evap, both strut mounts (the 96s are famous for this), brushings, brakes, radiator, thermostat, entire front axle and tires. Broken but not repaired are the odo, antenna motor, failing dash lights. The leather seats all cracked. Aside from safety, there is no reason to get such a money pit.

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  Built like a tank! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Alex M - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I would recommend this car to everybody. It is very comfortable and has enough passing power to embarass quite a number of cars. I love the seats, the layout and the features.

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  Upon further review... - 1996 Volvo 850
  By New Dad - April 4 - 4:20 am

  Originally submitted review of this car after 2 months of ownership. In one year Ive gone thorugh: brakes - 4 rotors, 3 sets of pads and 2 calipers; engine - 2 air mass meters, a set of plugs, wires, rotor, and distributor; gas - approximately the pre-war output of Iraq. When it works, its the greatest car Ive ever owned, but the brakes are a nightmare, and it is just too heavy - killing mileage, brakes, tires, etc.