Performance
Comfort
Fuel Economy
Fun To Drive
Interior Design
Exterior Design
Build Quality
Reliability
Review
I've had my '96 5-speed manual wagon since 1998 (it is a '96, not a '95) and have put onto it all but 24,000 of its 334,000 miles. I'll probably never sell this fantastic car. With its dark blue green color, Volvo styling and toughness, we call it "the tank". I've stormed up and down the highways and byways with it for various jobs including music and journalism. Volvo repairs are expensive when they're needed, and you must have a good trustworthy and knowledgeable Volvo mechanic in your hometown. If you do, you'll be rewarded with owning one of the greatest cars ever built. Mine has saved me in a couple of minor accidents including a T-bone in which none of the car's structural elements was knocked out of line. The car that hit me was seriously damaged. Interior materials on the 850 come apart: cover your seats and just be aware the plastics aren't great. Things have gone wrong, but nothing egregious. The car's been towed twice over all these years for mechanical problems, and once for a dead battery I knew about and should have taken care of. I've replaced fuel pump, T-sensor, two brake discs, struts, one clutch (at 275,000 mi.), a radiator overflow tank, air pump with solenoid, front drive axles, lower control arms and the alternator over the years. The engine and transmission have never been opened, and the cooling system, heater and A/C work great. Keep the cowl vents clear of leaves to prevent the A/C compressor and drier from being damaged. Give the car every bit of its regular servicing on time, and you'll always be glad you bought an 850. It's a safe, unbelievably solid sleeper at a bargain these days with fabulous handling and braking. The manual transmission brings this car alive, so try to find one if you can. If you have a wagon and carry heavy loads as I do, I recommend you invest in the optional Nivomat self-leveling suspension. You'll need to replace the rear coil springs too. It's more than $1000 total and worth every penny. I load mine up, tow trailers, everything, and it sits perfectly level and stable after 1/2 mile of driving. The slight twitchiness of the rear end when the wagon is lightly loaded also disappears with the Nivomats. Oh yeah, the rear seat comfortably accommodates real adults, and there's as much cargo room as in a small minivan. Amazing. Update: Now at 340,000 miles and I'm replacing some parts in the fuel filler including the motor that unlocks and locks the door. Expensive but once again worth it to me, as I haven't made a car payment since 2001. So in the long run, this car has not been unreasonably costly to buy or maintain. It still runs great.