1994 Volvo 850 Review

Comfortable Ride Finally Found

Written by: Don Valencic on 09/23/2007

Vehicle

1994 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLT Sedan

Review

After searching for a quality second car for doctor's appointments and the occasional trip to the mall, I finally found it in my 1994 Volvo GLT. I test drove and passed on every maker's so called premium/luxury model. I test drove this car because of its excellent outward appearance. I was surprised to find it quiet, rattle free, smooth on acceleration with terrific handling. Seating was what mattered most due to my disabilities. The 8 way w/memory, thickly padded but supportive power seat let me find the best position easily and keep it. I have never been more pleased in more than 42 years of driving. I wonder if the new Volvos are as well designed and made as this one.

Favorite Features

Seating comfort, understated good looks, reliabilty of the power train, available horse power for every day driving and excellence in engineering.

Suggested Improvements

As this car had every available factory option, I really cannot think of anything... except a rear wheel drive platform perhaps?

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Take care of it & it will take care of U

Written by: Sinika on 09/17/2006

Vehicle

1994 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

I bought my 850 turbo wagon brand new in 93 and have put 195,374 fun filled miles on it in the past 13 years. I have religiously maintained it as instructed by the owner's manual and have had no major problems with it. Most of the reviews Ive read about this car were given by people who bought one used and obviously did not have their mechanic look it over before purchasing. As long as you take care of this car, it will take care of you. I have changed the oil regularly and I use mobil one synthetic exclusively. The only major repairs Ive had to perform is replacing an a/c evaporator @ 132,000 miles. Other than that, Ive only had to replace the usual wear & tear items,tires,filters,etc

Favorite Features

The turbo makes this car very fun to drive. The seats are amazing as is the amount of stuff it will carry. In 13 years, Ive never had to replace the rotors, I just keep having them turned which amazes me considering the car has over 195,000 miles on it. Its built like a tank, fast, fun & reliable

Suggested Improvements

My only complaint is the layout of the switches on the interrior. It takes some getting used to but after a while, it becomes second nature. As for other people having problems with their tires and brakes, all I can say is make sure U get alignment checked. My tires average around 45,000 miles.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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VOLVO 850

Written by: COOL KID on 02/02/2006

Vehicle

1994 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLTS Sedan

Review

the volvo 850...this is my tank, a great car, it has got me through alot of things that many cars would hav probably gotten me killed lol. I just love this thing. I feel safe in it everytime i sit inside. It feels bullet proof, it will last forever, i just dont even know what else to say about this car.

Favorite Features

the clutch

Suggested Improvements

other than more horsepower (like 300) I cant think of nething

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive, but not fun to own

Written by: pat on 11/02/2005

Vehicle

1994 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

We purchased this vehicle with 82,000 miles, and sold it with 139,000. During this time, the car needed new tires every 12,000 miles because they wore unevenly, even with proper inflation. The brakes needed to be replaced every 10,000 miles, becasue the rotors warped, even with minmal use of the brakes. The radiator, catalytic coverter, O2 sensors, engine components, power seat, and blower motor needed replaced. In addition, the AC broke twice, and we had an oil and coolant leak repaired. After we were hit by a runaway car, it took 6 trips to THE DEALER to fix the car properly. The dealer parted out are car during the fifth trip, swapping used parts for the newer ones off our car.

Favorite Features

Turbo made the car very fun to drive. Comfortable seats. Extremely safe in an accident. Excellent headlights.

Suggested Improvements

Make the car reliable. Make the parts and labor costs of repairs reasonable (not 3 times what most cars are). Even the dealer can't repair the car correctly - how is anyone else supposed to? Improve the radio reception. Improve the cupholders. Relocate power window switches

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Depends on your climate

Written by: Jason on 09/01/2005

Vehicle

1994 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLT Sedan

Review

Bought with 78K miles in 2001. Amazingly harsh and brittle ride, lack of power at low speeds, tendency to wander at high speeds, narrow tires not very confidence-inspiring. Significant body roll, squeaky but effective brakes. Had a $500 problem with it once every year. Broken down only once, when the battery decided it had had enough and wanted to explode but didn't. AC evaporator tends to fail and costs a grand to fix. This car lets in an amazing about of heat in the summer, and I live in the northeast. This car is relatively cheap to buy now, but I would only recommend it to residents of Canada who don't like driving fast and have autobahn-quality roads where they live.

Favorite Features

Iconic design that still looks fresh. Appealing wheel choices. Supportive seats allow to drive 9 hours straight without getting tired. Good fuel economy. Single disc in-dash CD player well designed, very willing to play burned CDs, with good-enough sound quality.

Suggested Improvements

Gosh, a little late to change anything now, but Volvo could finally own up to the AC problem and at least reimburse owners with Starbucks gift certificates.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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