1995 Volvo 850 Consumer Reviews

Volvo? Never Again!!

Written by: M&P on 03/10/2009

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

Bought used w/ 167Kmiles (13 yrs old). Prev. svc records showed good care, but fixes cost us $3,000 in 4 mos. "Check Engine" light came on before we got it home. Next wk the ABS had a fault; day after that, another ABS fault (ABS Control module [the "brain] died; vehicle speed sensor died; electronic climate control & keyless entry unreliable; today the car sputters & won't start; rattles badly & gives a rough ride. After 30+ years of German cars, we decided to try a Volvo for reliability. What a mistake! This one won't make it to 200K. No on will ever buy this if we're honest. Parts & repairs VERY expensive. Not DIY friendly. Tow companies love us. Afraid to take long trip in this car.

Favorite Features

Honestly? Nothing stands out except big cargo area in this wagon.

Suggested Improvements

Don't buy a used '95 850 Turbo - front to back, everything needs to be improved. Will never, ever buy another Volvo. This one is a nightmare.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1995 Volvo 850 Base 4dr

Written by: MotorStreet on 03/09/2009

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

What Volvo achieved with the 850 is amazing. The 850 was the first front wheel drive car actually built and designed by Volvo. Before the 850 Volvo only made heavy rear wheel drive tanks like the 240. At the time the class benchmark was the BMW 3-Series, but when the 850 came along it was bigger, safer, and better to drive than the BMW. The 850 feels nimble and the 5 cylinder engine is responsive and suprisingly quick. The 850 also got high crash test ratings. One of the nicest things about the 850 is its seats, which are some of the most car comfortable I've ever used. The only problem we've experienced in 14 years is a broken fuse that made the dashboard lights quit working. A great car.

Favorite Features

Engine, steering, seats, suspension, safety, quality, and space

Suggested Improvements

needs better cupholders and base model's hubcaps are slightly flimsy.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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My lil tank

Written by: peoplesuck29 on 03/08/2009

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

I love my Volvo! she is solid, safe and well...solid. I love the feeling of the doors when the close...you get that solid WHAMMM its very reassuring! I love the comfort and economy of a wagon. The sporty handling is a plus...burn outs certainly don't take much effort. The reliability is a little questionable but she always turns over...so no real complaints. Gas mileage is GREAT considering how hard i drive the car and how heavy it is...i get 20mpg average around town 27 highway. I live and Maine and winters here are terrible...however the volvo is a champ, i had to go out in thr worst storm of the year...i NEVER slipped once! traction was out of this world...not to mention she weighs so much

Favorite Features

gas mileage, handling, economy of a wagon, value, winter driving is a BLAST! seat comfort and above all, safety.

Suggested Improvements

better quality parts...i know she is old but the build quality is a little less than my friends 240's, 740's....

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Rock Solid

Written by: Sal on 01/05/2009

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLT Sedan

Review

I purchased this car new in 1995 and drove it for many years before passing it on to my kids. It is a great car for new drivers - not too much horsepower (non-turbo), 4 airbags (first car to have side airbags back in '95, and built like a tank. Tranny went at 120K which was an expensive repair ($2500), but has been very reliable otherwise. Great car if you can find one that has been properly maintained. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, there are great web resources available to help you with troubleshooting.

Favorite Features

Safety features, exterior paint quality, super comfortable seats.

Suggested Improvements

When needed, repairs are expensive.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Once a Volvo owner, always a Volvo owner

Written by: volvo4life on 11/20/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Wagon

Review

I have really enjoyed owning my Volvo. Sure she may not be a fashion statement, but she is full of character! It is everything that a well build Swedish car should be: rock solid. I have had a few issues with the battery but besides that she turns over and runs fine. I love the turbo! Really kicks in at speeds over 30 mph.

Favorite Features

the turbo! comfort, cargo room, premium sound, heated front and rear seats, moon-roof, trac-meter, auto window, safety features! I love the solid feel and engaging drive. respectable fuel economy, 22 city, 29 highway.

Suggested Improvements

Make the dash with a high quality product. The car is overall very well built but I would have liked a better quality dash material. Other than that, keep it up Volvo. You got me hooked!

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Love my 850

Written by: Jim on 08/27/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Wagon

Review

Bought used with 20K miles from a dealer in 96. It was a Hertz rental for a year before I bought it. Best deal ever. It has never had a major problem after 140K miles. Wear yes, but my partner is obsessive about maintenance and care. But we have to sell. Got another fab deal on a year old 2007 S80. I'm having difficulty selling because of the memories and worry free experience. Maybe I'll keep it, just because I love Volvos. I hope Ford didn't screw up the quality too much since I bought this one.

Favorite Features

Handling, comfort A+. Reliability A+ And surprisingly not that expensive to maintain. But I have a great mechanic and will take my cars to no one else.

Suggested Improvements

Tailgate mechanicals is a forever problem for all 850 wagons. Fabric doesn't last long enough, exterior trim needed replacement. Everyone needs new clothes and Volvos need them too after 12 years.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My First Foreign Car!

Written by: New Volvo Lover on 07/11/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLT Sedan

Review

I bought my 850 used in October 07. I had never had a foreign car before. My friend and his family swear by Volvo, so I was a least somewhat familiar with them. Considering I only had $4000 to spend, I think this is easily the best car I could have bought for the money. I've had a couple of bulbs burn out and the odometer gear broke, but that is a known issue and not a big deal if you are handy. This are geat cars, but I can't emphasize this enough... do the maintenance! You really cannot let stuff go on these, but if you take good care of them they will last a very, very long time! I see no reason I won't hit 300k with this car.

Favorite Features

In my opinion at least, Volvo has the most comfortable seats this side of Buick and Cadillac. The handling on this car is superbub and the build quality is great!

Suggested Improvements

I wish it had some more power, but my model does not have a turbo. I also wish Volvos were cheaper to maintain. Other than that I have no complaints.

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Overall a pretty good car.

Written by: Jordan V. on 05/09/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Sedan

Review

I rather like my 850. It's fun to drive, and I like smoking those Civic drivers who act like they've got a V8 under their hood. The 850 handles well for such a big and heavy vehicle, acceleration is nice thanks to the turbo, and it even gets respectable mileage if you're easy on the gas. Some of the controls are in awkward positions, but you get used to it. Interior quality could be better, though. The only real complaint is that this car has lots of system hiccups. The engine and transmission are sturdy, but some other systems (AC in particular) and parts are unreliable, and are very expensive to fix when they break. Overall, not a bad ride. Take care of it and it will run forever.

Favorite Features

Turbo L5 engine rocks! Nice handling. Comfy ride and roomy interior. Great visibility. Built like a tank, but doesn't drive like one.

Suggested Improvements

Better interior build quality. The plastic trim is extremely flimsy. General quality control and software improvements; some systems are finicky. Really, really should have gotten 5 speed transmission. It needs it.

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Great used car if maintained

Written by: Chad on 05/06/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr STD Turbo Sedan

Review

229,000 miles, runs and drives like new still. Very well maintained from previous owner. Interior and exterior still look new. Just make sure that the car has had proper maintenance or you may be in for big dollars repairs. It is not a problem for me since I repair cars for a living. My a/c even blows cold and from what I have read that is rare.

Favorite Features

Heated seats, heated mirrors, turbo, sunroof, walnut trim interior, leather power seats, wheels.

Suggested Improvements

A/C Evap, headlight wiper motors

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A Classic Volvo

Written by: Alex on 04/25/2008

Vehicle

1995 Volvo 850 4 Dr GLT Wagon

Review

We bought the car after our second child was born in 1994. Only problems have been the air conditioning, as well as some more minor engine parts. Everything else is great, very safe and solid!

Favorite Features

So much room! Everything is holding up pretty well, compared to our neighbors who have the same, which is not as great condition.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy, but no major complaints. Odometer broke at 144,000 miles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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