Used 1994 Volvo 850 Consumer Reviews
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$5,195 - $8,418
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Original Owner, I love Volvos
PH, 12/04/2017
updated 12/07/2020
1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Ok this is being written by a woman with a little info but not all the facts, so some people reading this will smirk and quit reading it. I bought this car new in 94, after waiting 2 yrs for the motor company to "shake the bugs out" of the "new" 850 model. I was immediately happy with this car, and in general have been happy with it. It's attractive in its styling, and still resembles the boxy old Volvo look, with a slight bit of a rakey race car aggression. It doesn't look like its contemporary Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota or Subaru. I also own a 1985 Volvo 740T wagon, and I am also its original owner. The sedan is in no way as comfortable as the older (5 speed standard transmission) model wagon, which boasts full size sofa cushion leather seats. The 850 seats are typical sport style, bucket seats that are small, and you feel cramped when sitting in them. For the price of this vehicle, the seats should be more comfortable -and larger. The car had heated seats which naturally burned out in about 4 yrs. (replaced driver side -once, only) I almost laugh at myself, now 26 yrs older, trying to get in an out of this vehicle. The 740 model is much easier to enter and exit, to and from both back and front seats. The 850 handles well, especially on curves, and still has decently quick turbo acceleration. In my little world it's an excellent turbo charged vehicle. With the ABS brakes I have trouble. I'm afraid to, and fortunately never have had to, stop suddenly. Only once did I feel the ABS and it's a very unusual feeling for someone who hasn't felt it before. Both cars, being Volvos, are expensive to maintain, (approx and usually more than $2000/yr per car) and when the smallest bit of plastic breaks due to impact with a rock or due to collision (I've been hit several times in the wagon over the past 35yrs) it is extremely expensive to replace. Usually others' ins. has covered. The 850's dashboard plastic window began to crack within 2 yrs of buying the car. I now have a giant crack running from bottom to top of that. To replace it would probably cost me $400. (I never work on the Volvos myself) I like my cars to keep a new and clean look and running in good, reliable condition, and in what I have chosen to pay for, it's cost me dearly. As for the 850 specifically, I pay a lot for high performance low profile tires, which wear out quickly. I've tried moving to a harder rubber, which only stretches the tire wear an extra 5000 miles or so. I replace the tires at the most, every 35000 miles, generally more frequently. I also live on a mountain road with steep curves. The engine seems to be in very good shape, but the Turbo needs replacing every so often. I am on my second or third, I don't recall. Mind you, this is with regular maintenance including oil changes (at 3500 miles) and recommended service and inspections. One thing about the car that I found confusing was when I bought it I was told I would never have to replace or change the transmission oil. My mechanics tell me that is absurd, and have replaced it about every 4-5 yrs/40-50,000 miles. It has been expressed to me by both Volvo mechanics and independent mechanics that it is also imperative that one periodically replaces the timing belt in the 850 model. Because of the close quarters of the transverse style 5cyl engine, if that belt goes, you are a dead duck-as the belt can get tangled up in other parts of the engine and cause collateral damage. I believe I have replaced it once at around 111000 miles. The car is at 192600 miles now. For 14 yrs I have had troubles with the Engine Warning light, which comes on after being reset with codes cleared, within 15 miles of the automotive shop. It supposedly signifies an O2 sensor, that has been replaced several times in 26 yrs. I'm seeming to have some sorts of transmission troubles since 2016. Gear shifter locks. Couldn't get out of Park. Was told the car is cycling in some fashion, and then it releases. The arrow-up shift light is flashing. Has been to shop and finally disconnected shifter completely. Trans arrow still flashes, cleaned corroded connections, but now need to replace the switch. Other than as mentioned, for about 6 yrs the car has developed a slow seep of oil which appears to be involving the Turbo. Presently there is dye in the oil to try to identify exactly what's leaking out of where. Probably time to replace it or something related. Have had no obvious electrical problems, though the car did lurch and then fail on me while driving in 2009. I don't remember the reason, but fortunately after a few minutes I was able to restart the car and luckily it was on a quiet city street that it stalled. I don't recall how it was repaired, but it hasn't happened again in 11 yrs. Overall: though expensive to operate and maintain, with only barely 22 mpg in gas mileage, this 26 yr old car has been reliable for long distance trips. I'd buy a new Volvo if I liked the styling, but I DON'T! Hope this helps someone!
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Too much maintenance cost
art hill, 08/08/2002
1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 4dr Wagon
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Spending over $2000 per year on repairs
Ouch this is going to hurt
1971911guy, 07/14/2004
1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 4dr Wagon
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this POS from a family member working at a dealership. The car looked great and the dealership said they would take care of any flaws. Yeah right. I took possesion of the car and 2 weeks later it had a cracked radiator, leaking oil from the rear main seal, needed a new turbo, the power steering pump went out, the rear hatch rattles horribly, the tires needed replacing due to broken belts, the front struts needed to be repaced, the alternator was replaced, and I continue to have other small things break or fall off of this vehicle. I hope that I am the only one to experience the agony of owning a VOLVO.
Volvo 850
lelan80, 04/06/2002
1994 Volvo 850 GLTS 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great Car - comforting to know family is in something so safe. Great Brakes
save your money
qsource, 07/30/2003
1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
repairs are expensive for this vehicle, fuel pump died at 158000, turbo died at 164000, now it needs new valve seals at 166000 have not gone two months without something needing a repair.
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