At some point, I will need to replace my wife's '92 Protege with something a bit newer/bigger. I have been looking at Volvo 850 and V70 wagons and quite like the look of them, but know nothing about them.
Any advice or known problems? Was a manual transmission available in all years? What kind of gas mileage do they get?
Mark.
I've been researching the same thing. From what I know, the 850 and V70 were the same car until 2001, when the V70 was changed to the same platform as the S80. For some reason the A/T in the 2001 models is trouble. The model you want is a T5 or R model, ideally the 2.3L in the later models. The 2.3L is rated at 247hp while the 2.4L is rated at 190hp. You only give up 1mpg for the extra hp. I haven't driven either (or any) but I need a wagon for dad duties and I am spoiled by my VR6 Passat wagon, too bad I need an A/T for this stupid Atlanta traffic.
Make sure the timing belt has been changed on any car you buy. It's a royal pain and can cost a lot to get done. Also make sure the A/C works. If the A/C doesn't work the work case scenario is a bad evap core, which is $$$$ to fix.
My friend just bought a 2001 or 2002 XC70 Turbo and he gets 29 mpg on the highway at 70 mph, and low 20s around town driving like an idiot.
slefain wrote: I've been researching the same thing. From what I know, the 850 and V70 were the same car until 2001, when the V70 was changed to the same platform as the S80. For some reason the A/T in the 2001 models is trouble. The model you want is a T5 or R model, ideally the 2.3L in the later models. The 2.3L is rated at 247hp while the 2.4L is rated at 190hp. You only give up 1mpg for the extra hp. I haven't driven either (or any) but I need a wagon for dad duties and I am spoiled by my VR6 Passat wagon, too bad I need an A/T for this stupid Atlanta traffic. Make sure the timing belt has been changed on any car you buy. It's a royal pain and can cost a lot to get done. Also make sure the A/C works. If the A/C doesn't work the work case scenario is a bad evap core, which is $$$$ to fix. My friend just bought a 2001 or 2002 XC70 Turbo and he gets 29 mpg on the highway at 70 mph, and low 20s around town driving like an idiot.
have you seen this one? looks real clean and its local. BUT I CALL DIBS!!!
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1147265584.html
Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote:slefain wrote: I've been researching the same thing. From what I know, the 850 and V70 were the same car until 2001, when the V70 was changed to the same platform as the S80. For some reason the A/T in the 2001 models is trouble. The model you want is a T5 or R model, ideally the 2.3L in the later models. The 2.3L is rated at 247hp while the 2.4L is rated at 190hp. You only give up 1mpg for the extra hp. I haven't driven either (or any) but I need a wagon for dad duties and I am spoiled by my VR6 Passat wagon, too bad I need an A/T for this stupid Atlanta traffic. Make sure the timing belt has been changed on any car you buy. It's a royal pain and can cost a lot to get done. Also make sure the A/C works. If the A/C doesn't work the work case scenario is a bad evap core, which is $$$$ to fix. My friend just bought a 2001 or 2002 XC70 Turbo and he gets 29 mpg on the highway at 70 mph, and low 20s around town driving like an idiot.have you seen this one? looks real clean and its local. BUT I CALL DIBS!!! http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1147265584.html
Non-turbo, not what I'm interested in. If it's had the timing belt done, go get it!
This one is more like it: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1145961308.html
I have a '96 850 wagon (non-turbo) which we've owned seven years. All of the typical problems with these cars are relatively cheap, easy to fix and won't leave you stranded (except for the evap. core - which is neither cheap nor easy). I'm about to have that fixed in mine this summer. The rest is all mostly easy DIY - shift microswitch, odometer gear, ignition switch electrical.
The motors are pretty bulletproof, auto trannys have a somewhat bad rep but I believe it is an Asian-Warner unit and I've never had a problem with mine. Manual transmissions are out there but pretty uncommon. I didn't think the timing belt was that big a deal to do, compared to some others.
With the automatic, I get 28 mpg highway, low 20's around town depending on how hard I push the skinny pedal.
My experience has been positive enough that I bought a '07 XC70 new from the dealer for Mrs. and kept the old one for myself.
Start here for research:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/
http://volvospeed.com/
ive been trying but the lady wont pick up. Typical Craiglsit user...
I drive a 95 850 turbo Ive had it for a year and a half now ONE oil change 
and all the typical things Strut mounts broke-Drivers door check broke-Smokes due too funky PCV system and catch can needing cleaning- headliner and sunroof liner sagging- transmission error codes- I drive the crap outta it everyday and it's only needed a battery the sites listed above will help ya out with all ya need to know about these models
not a wagon but sexy none the less
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/1150154659.html
Cheap non turbo sedan if anyone else is looking:
http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/1148977186.html
slefain wrote:Rusty_Rabbit84 wrote:Non-turbo, not what I'm interested in. If it's had the timing belt done, go get it! This one is more like it: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1145961308.htmlslefain wrote: I've been researching the same thing. From what I know, the 850 and V70 were the same car until 2001, when the V70 was changed to the same platform as the S80. For some reason the A/T in the 2001 models is trouble. The model you want is a T5 or R model, ideally the 2.3L in the later models. The 2.3L is rated at 247hp while the 2.4L is rated at 190hp. You only give up 1mpg for the extra hp. I haven't driven either (or any) but I need a wagon for dad duties and I am spoiled by my VR6 Passat wagon, too bad I need an A/T for this stupid Atlanta traffic. Make sure the timing belt has been changed on any car you buy. It's a royal pain and can cost a lot to get done. Also make sure the A/C works. If the A/C doesn't work the work case scenario is a bad evap core, which is $$$$ to fix. My friend just bought a 2001 or 2002 XC70 Turbo and he gets 29 mpg on the highway at 70 mph, and low 20s around town driving like an idiot.have you seen this one? looks real clean and its local. BUT I CALL DIBS!!! http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1147265584.html
that one is purrrdy!!
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