Volvo 850, cosmetically very nice but blown HG for $600... good deal?
 

So I'm looking at a potential Volvo purchase... here's the ad:

1995 Volvo 850 GLT body/interior near perfect...

The scoop on it is that the car is cosmetically in very nice shape (the interior looks super, the body decent), and it has 90,000 miles on it, but an overheating issue. The owner replied to my e-mail and elaborated on the overheating, saying that it had begun to overheat a bit during local driving but seemed good on the highway. He had stopped driving it much, but thought that maybe it could make it for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, on Thanksgiving, it started to lose power and blow white smoke, so he stopped driving it and thinks that the HG is blown.

He wants $600. He's offering to cut a generous deal on a timing belt, WP, and tstat that he bought for the car. I can get a Fel-Pro gasket HG kit from NAPA for $150 (sales tax included), and although I'd hope that the head isn't cracked, if it is, I can get a Clearwater rebuilt head for $500. That means that with a good head, I can get a very nice, low-mileage 850 for ~$800 + sales tax, and if the head is blown, for ~$1300 + sales tax.

My thinking would be to drive it for a few weeks, see how it compares to the Buick, and then sell one of the two (honestly, the Buick would probably stay). I figure I should be able to make a little bit of money on it and have fun with an 850 at the same time. Volvo is a brand that is close to my heart, which is why I was searching Volvos on CL in the first place... :D. CL is not good for me.

Oh, and this car has the all-important parental approval.

I did notice in the pictures that the driver's-side headlight wiper is somehow messed up, but that's the only issue I've been able to pick up on.

Here's an interior picture. The interior is why I paused on the car in the first place:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1419222158

I'd look for a 940T instead. Much more bulletproof drivetrain (B230FT and Aisin/Borgwarner 4-speed auto), and "Arr Dubya Dee" as G-d intended cars to be.

Almost as durable as a W123 or W124.

Yeah, this is more of a hey-look-at-this-potential-good-deal-on-CL kind of thing. While I'd prefer a 240 5-speed wagon, I noticed that this seems like something that could make a decent driver or flip (the Buick would go if I keep it, the Buick would stay if I flip it).

When I'm looking at cars, I'm very willing to compromise in other areas to get a well-kept/low-miles example or one with lots of recent work, hence why I bought the 300SD, kept the Buick, and am looking at this thing. No car will be reliable after 30 years if it hasn't been cared for.

Run as far away from that pos as you can.

X 2
 

JUNK

You do not need this heartache on wheels registered in your name.

Even delete the "Bookmark" from your browser.

ANY Volvo 850 (Even with a good Head gasket) is so far outside it's
designed engineer usable lifespan as to be a certain Train Wreck
waiting to happen to you.

'Only comparison I'd have in a Mercedes would be an ML
that had been Submerged for 6 months in salt water,
and then only detailed to "Fix" the mess.

850s have a lot of notorious problems.

The wife had a 97, we had endless issues with power steering, fuel pumps, and other concerns. I recall we put 3 steering racks in that car. The 5cyl feels no more powerful than a volvo 4cyl, but has the fuel economy of a thirsty 6cyl or 8cyl.
They are comfortable cars, but as volvos go, one of the least desirable. It would be foolish of you to take this on.

You can find a running driving one all day for 1000 to 1200 bucks. Why would you buy a head gasket mess for 600.

What happened to the w126?


Sent from an abacus

Well, let's just say that your Buick has a better reliability rep than that Volvo!

Happy Motoring, Mark

Save up for a 244/245 if you really want a Volvo.

^Disregard what that windbag says - I've found your Swedish dream car: http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/fred-armisen-i-wasnt-told-about-this-with-special-feature-i-m-dying-jerry

One of the nicest looking polished turds I've seen PC.

Pass.

Not enough to be made on that flip, and if you decide to keep, will cause you endless headaches.

Stick with your W126. Why not fix that instead of buying this POS? Volvos are awful cars.

Half right. The old RWD Volvos were pretty awesome.

What's wrong with the 300SD? Spend the money fixing a good car.

We have a 2000 S70 (same as 850, rebadged as S70 in 1998), owned since 2005.

It now has 160,000 miles and has been the most reliable, trouble free cars we've ever owned.

That 5 cylinder inline engine has been used forever by Volvo. I think they're still using it.

My Volvo independent works on several in the 350,000 + mile range.

You guys are all just Volvo haters. :P:P

^ friend of mine has an s70 since new and it has practically fallen apart after 95k. They have spent much more than the car is worth in recent years to keep it running, eventually bought an older 740 wagon to replace it. Great seats though.


Sent from an abacus

This. If it's the same one I had, it's just needing a new trans (maybe some sitting issues now?) and nothing else. Drove great on the road.


Sent from an abacus

I hired one of those years ago (when I had no choice).

I've never liked Volvos mainly because of the drivers - in the UK they are a special breed of a-hole.

Strange thing was after about 12 minutes I was driving just like the rest of them - really nice car to drive.

They have a good reputation on this side of the water

Volvo 850 T5/R - Classic Car Review | Honest John

The sound of that engine (when running!) is lush.

Im only impressed by the 5cyl when its the turbo version. The NA version did not seem particularly more powerful than the old red block.

I love the 200, 700, and 900 series. 850 was comfortable, but had a line of credit open in the wallet

We also have a 2002 XC70 Cross Country AWD wagon with the 5 cylinder turbo engine. It doesn't feel any stronger, but then it's probably pulling more weight.

It has 168,000 mikes on it. All its needed was a new tranny at 146,000 miles. They were apparently all bad from 2000 to 2003.

Our tranny was good, but our first power steering pump was bad, our second pump was bad, our first rack was bad, our second rack was bad, our 3rd rack was bad, our first fuel pump died at 130k, second pump immediately failed, 3rd was ok.

I got all this working on to have our power steering pump start leaking....:D

Gotta say though, nobody can touch volvo on seat comfort. They know how to build a long distance cruising seat

Amen on that. No one makes seats like Volvo.

Knock on wood, but our S70 in particular has been bullet-proof. It runs and drives like a new car. Tight as a drum and rattle free. I renewed the front suspension (control arm bushings and struts) and it handles like a brand new car. I'm all in on this car, and we're gonna drive it until the wheels fall off.

That's funny! I have relatives in Australia who make the same claim about Volvo drivers!

@stretch

I recall the Volvo drivers being special a holes in UK... :cool: - btw - have you driven SAAB?

Yep every motorcyclists favourite brand - how does it go again maneuver, forget the mirror and bugger the signal?

I did once drive a Saab 900 turbo (before the GM intervention) back in the day it was almost like going back in time with Doc Brown - bottom of the hill - whoops where did that go?

yep change lane - signal later - check mirror for dead body. - the old original SAAB 900 was the best speeding ticket collector vehicle.

I recently purchased a 1992 240gl with a 5spd manual back in sept. A TRUE 5 spd. One owner, a longtime friend of my parents. He was a delta pilot. Its the same guy I bought my first w123 from in 2000 and then sold to diesel don late 2001. Don loved that car so much by the end he had 6 or 7 before leaving the forum and switching to TDIs.

anyways it had 167k silver with blue interior. manual sunroof. just a lovely all service records, 1 small fender bender, 1 true owner car. Bought it for $1000. A/c was toast. and it did not have cruise. I loved this car! and I had been after it for years. But after 3 days of driving my bum knee said NO! I mean I was in dire pain by the time I would get home from work. It was only in my possession 4 days. CL ad for $2500 and it was gone same day I listed it.

anyway where the hell was i going with this tale...oh The old ones are the best! I had a 96 850 turbo wagon that was TUNED and it shredded the front tires. But what a junky rattle trap. Everything was broken on the inside and what wasnt broken made a noise. :P