Volvo 850 GLT Sedan

Anyone have experience with these cars? I know they don't have a turbo like other sporty volvo's, but I did find a local 1995 w/101xxx miles, auto and 2 previous owners for $2800. I'm thinking this would make a pretty decent daily driver.

I had bad luck with my 850 (a turbo wagon). It had an intermittent no spark condition I could never track down. I sold it with full disclosure and have sworn off Swedish bricks.

I had a '95 Volvo 850 wagon non-turbo, with a manual trans that I bought at 106k miles and took to 168k miles. It was a great highway cruiser. I then gave it to my nephew who still has it on the road today at 180k miles. Last I hear, it is about due for the original clutch to be replaced.

Unless the sedan is different, my '97 850 glt wagon had a small turbo. It had more in common with the base car, hence, its considered a non turbo when buying parts.

My daily driver is a '96 850 GLT wagon. Non-turbo with auto trans, so it's essentially the exact same car you're looking at. I bought mine in April 2011 with 109k on it. It now has 144k. Knock on wood, it's been quite reliable for me. It needed a new MAF, but that's the only non routine maintenance thing I've had to do to it. My exhaust recently split, but a local shop welded it back together for me.

It's a great cruiser. Best...seats...ever. They are seriously awesome. I've been thrilled with the car overall. It's old luxury, since it's now 17 years old, but still a nice luxury car. Check the a/c system, they're notorious for trouble and a proper repair can be a royal pain. Mine leaks, but one can of the recharge stuff from AutoZone lasts all summer long. And it works great too...no trouble keeping up with a 95 degree day.

I'm considering selling mine now, simply because of the fuel mileage. That's the one thing I'm not thrilled with. I don't beat on it, and I get low 20's. If it got 30+, I'd keep it until it died. The price you mentioned seems really high. I bought mine for $1300 or $1400, I forget exactly.

November 2005 GRM has a nice buyer's guide. I recently was looking through it after getting my Turbo wagon.

Here are links to previous discussions where you will find additional links inside the links.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/learn-me-volvo-850/39356/page1/
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/volvo-850s70-eurotrash-or-treasure/8651/page1/

Klayfish wrote: I'm considering selling mine now, simply because of the fuel mileage. That's the one thing I'm not thrilled with. I don't beat on it, and I get low 20's. If it got 30+, I'd keep it until it died. The price you mentioned seems really high. I bought mine for $1300 or $1400, I forget exactly.

I like my 850 turbo wagon a lot, but this has been my experience, too. I was excited to get something a little smaller and more efficient than my previous DD (A Lexus LS400) but was shocked that the 850 ended up with only a couple MPG more than the LS400. That's stepping down 2 steps in size, power, and features. The LS400 is huge and it's shocking that the 850 doesn't do a lot better. Oh well!

The car handles great for what it is and is about as powerful as I would want an FWD car to be. It's had its share of problems but I didn't expect a 90's Corolla when I got it. Nothing has failed twice which means a lot to me, having had British cars before. It's super easy to work on except for the turbo plumbing gets in the way a lot on engine work, and I stupidly put cheap silicone boots on not realizing how hard they are to take off and put back on. (Damn you FCP!!)

$2800 seems really high for a non-turbo 850 sedan. You should be able to find a nice one for well under 2k

There's a `97 855 GLT for sale near me I intend to check out. So, this low-pressure turbo, any trouble areas? Still slow?

m4ff3w wrote: $2800 seems really high for a non-turbo 850 sedan. You should be able to find a nice one for well under 2k

I meant to say this, too. I would sell my turbo wagon for $2000 any time and likely would take even less, despite liking the car.

I got my 96 850 for 1200.. 5 speed too.. and it was in decent shape, but did need new seats due to the previous owner having dogs. $28 a piece at the u-pull it and it looks and runs great

In reply to Hoop: Mine gave no problems. I changed oil frequently but at about 200k miles, the turbo was leaking oil pretty good.

gjz30075 wrote: In reply to Hoop: Mine gave no problems. I changed oil frequently but at about 200k miles, the turbo was leaking oil pretty good.

Good to know. How was the power? Adequate?

I haven't driven the turbo car, but my NA car could be described as "adequate". I've never found myself nearly getting run over due to lack of power, it'll go when you step on it. But it's not going to lay down 50' of tracks.

GLT = light pressure turbo. They ARE turbo cars, and as such have similar maintenance issues to the higher output turbos. The GLT uses the 2.4 liter block though. There are a number of things to look for when purchasing a Volvo. Notably on the maintenance piece - has it had the PCV system serviced. Volvos use a unique system for PCV that if not properly maintained will cause seals to blow out and other horrible things.

BTW, don't buy that car unless it's been scrupulously maintained and recorded. 2800 is a lot for a 95, even with low mileage.

jrubins wrote: GLT = light pressure turbo. They ARE turbo cars, and as such have similar maintenance issues to the higher output turbos. The GLT uses the 2.4 liter block though. There are a number of things to look for when purchasing a Volvo. Notably on the maintenance piece - has it had the PCV system serviced. Volvos use a unique system for PCV that if not properly maintained will cause seals to blow out and other horrible things.

The GLT had no turbo until the last year they were branded 850's (1997) then it gained the low pressure turbo. In 1995 - the model year of the car in question here - they had no turbo. That's borne out by online spec listings and by junkyard experience.

dculberson wrote:

jrubins wrote: GLT = light pressure turbo. They ARE turbo cars, and as such have similar maintenance issues to the higher output turbos. The GLT uses the 2.4 liter block though. There are a number of things to look for when purchasing a Volvo. Notably on the maintenance piece - has it had the PCV system serviced. Volvos use a unique system for PCV that if not properly maintained will cause seals to blow out and other horrible things.

The GLT had no turbo until the last year they were branded 850's (1997) then it gained the low pressure turbo. In 1995 - the model year of the car in question here - they had no turbo. That's borne out by online spec listings and by junkyard experience.

I stand - well sit comfortably - corrected. I've had a 97 and a 98, and both were turbos. Thanks for the correction.

jrubins wrote: BTW, don't buy that car unless it's been scrupulously maintained and recorded. 2800 is a lot for a 95, even with low mileage.

while that is a lot of money.. the only "gotcha" with the 850 is the timing belt. If that was done, the rest is simple and not going to stop you dead in your tracks

I'd say the 850's "gotcha" is the evap core.

I bought a '96 855 GLT with 53K on the clock in 2001. I still have it - grandma is driving it now.

If you go down the list of 850 common flaws, I've had most of them - shift microswitch, odo gear, ignition switch, ABS relay, etc, etc. None of them stopped the car from getting us home.

The evap core is not DIY friendly and costs more to fix than most of these cars are worth anymore. It is the Achilles heel of the 850.

They started failing early (when the car was still worth something) so there is a chance of finding one that's been done - but get hard evidence. Or live without A/C.

well.. when I say "gotcha" I meant problem that you can't live with.

I never use airconditioning, so I do not even know if mine works

My 96 has 168k and has been a great car except for this: Volvo 850 automatic transmission problem

I've been enjoying mine ('93 850 GLT 5-speed). Keep in mind that it's a reliable and comfortable sedan, not a sports car.

Many of the issues come from 20 years of aging plastic, as on any car of the era. Odometer gears, air bag cover, air intake hose ...

So far I like Matthews Volvo Site and Volvospeed for maintenance information beyond Vadis.

$2800 for an 850 would normally have me flipping the page to look for another. But, 101k miles is rather low. If the car is in very good shape, and you like it, you could certainly do far worse.

As mentioned in the other 850 thread, Volvo's are a higher maintenance car than something like a Toyota.

As a reference, I know where a V70R is sitting for sale at the same $2800 price. More miles and a bit scruffy.