Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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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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  Volvo 850R best auto ever made - 1996 Volvo 850
  By casperjim - February 19 - 10:10 am

  It is the best car that I have ever owned. No complaints. I now have 150,000, bought the car when it had 104,000.

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  Not A Good Idea - 1996 Volvo 850
  By kittycrabbs - January 9 - 5:56 am

  People like to say Ford screwed up Volvo, but the 850 was made long before Ford took over and its a dog. Constant front alignment problems, tire wear, abs problems, shifter wouldnt move, glove box decided not to open. I got rid of the car when the seat belt wouldnt pull away from the door post- wanted $650 to fix it. Never left me stranded, but the smallest repair job cost a fortune. I thought Id have it a lot longer than 130k miles.

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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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  Impressively quick - 1996 Volvo 850
  By DIC_CAMARILLO - August 15 - 5:16 am

  Our Volvo 850R wagon was suppose to be a Home Depot weekend hauler and occasional camping car. Then I discovered the economy/power button! Wow! This car really moves. The economy mode allows the transmission to shift at lower rpms and less boost. The power mode lets this wonderful little engine roar! Turbo boost up, rpms up - right in the power band! If the numbers are correct, this car will beat my Boxster. After feeling the boost, I believe it will walk away from my Boxster up to 80mph. The seats are also very comfortable, the car has nice features and it sure is fun to drive. The suspension is okay at best. Overall a very impressive little box.

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  Thatr - 1996 Volvo 850
  By LUVTHATR - July 25 - 10:36 am

  Fastest/safest most reliable car ive ever owned,, at 156,000 it still "cruises" at 135 mph.. Ac dumped at 150,00 pirelli p zero 17" hold the road like a custom glove.. If the abs/trac lights goes on/off its the ignition key switch.. See one,, buy it !!! 25Mpg even at demon speed..Oh ,.. And the cd stereo ,,sounds like heaven and this is an 850 turbo "r" with the spoiler on the trunk and spoiler under front bumper

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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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  Excellent wagon - 1996 Volvo 850
  By josh p - June 9 - 2:00 am

  It has been very solid, dependable. Still drives like a dream at 74K miles. I have kept it up and folks who dont know volvos still think its a new car. I had one problem, the abs unit went bad and was replaced under warranty. I plan to drive at least 125K miles, then reevaluate it.

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  Just a great car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By pmulry - May 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought our 850 used a little over a year ago and its been a gem. From these reviews, it looks like you either get a dog or a jewel, so we were lucky. We bought it with just over 100k on the odometer and have put about 15k on it in a year. From the way that it drives, you would never suspect that it has that many miles on it, it drives just like a new car. In our year of ownership, weve averaged just over 20mpg and the only cost weve had (other than oil changes) was for an A/C repair early last summer for about $300. I highly recommend this car.