1997 Volvo 850 Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
I bought this car maybe 7 years ago for $1200 and then rehabed it. Great vehicle. Has a few sensor issues once in a while due to age. Has the premium sound and I love it. Have not found anything comparable in a new car so far. Fastest Volvo I have ever owned and great on gas mileage.
VS
Critical Review
Where to begin. Used to be Volvo's were over-built, hi-quality, Swedish cars with a tendency to last forever. Not so after Ford bought the company. My '96 850 Turbo is literally coming down around my ears. Every piece of the largely plastic interior (including the fake wood) is made out of the cheap hard stuff and is only hardening with age, and crumbling with use. Worst of all, the 850's are NOTORIOUS for dashboards that come "unglued" and begin to shake and rattle loudly once the two plastic retaining clamps at the firewall crack and let go. Think I'm kidding? Go see for yourself on Matt's Volvo blog. Absolutely criminal, but true. The only, ONLY good thing about this car is the drivetrain - apparently Ford could not convince Volvo to get rid of their quirky 5 cyclinder, and with a turbo it still turns out credible performance 20 years later. Just be sure to change out the cam shaft belt at 70K or the motor will self-destruct (its an "interference" type motor where the piston and valves clash when the belt goes).
1997 850 Reviews
Showing 8 of 286 reviews.
Great car
Great condition clean inside and out.car was garaged body absolutely pristine Gold in color all parts intact moldings windshield wipers on headlights it's got an all soup to nuts
Very mechanically sound, drives excellent in deep
Power window controls in center console, (L) wiper
We were extremely lucky when finding this vehicle for sale we went back and forth with it for about a week before we bought it . the previous owner took us to the Volvo mechanic to have a complete check up on it before we bought it this car is sound and solid very safe handles on a dime and I definitely would recommend it to anyone
Safety, 21 years old still solid, they seldom rust
owners manual say's premium fuel I use 91 Octane.
What a car, regular maintenance the Volvo 850 can last a long time. I have seen these 850 not very well maintained and still run great. Great car for a young person learning to drive because of the safety features, car is as strong or stronger than a truck. Not many left now, the S70 is almost the same car and a little newer. The only con would be Volvo say's to use premium fuel and I use 91 Octane, many are and have used 87 and 89 Octane.
Good gas milage, comfortable ride, good handling.
Needs paint job and two hubcaps.
Rides well and comfortably with good gas milage and decent tires. Needs paint job. Great handling. Nice, comfortable interior.
beautiful exterior No rust,streaks or paint damage
Odometer stoped 3 days ago. Need struts and shocks
I would like to upgrade toa small car.
because this car is older it will need maintenance
no cup holder, driver's seat needs mending
not sure what this means - I do want to note that this is the second motor. Timing belt broke on first. Has had complete tune-up 1.5 yrs ago. Fairly new front tires. No rust -
Mileage and reliability
Comfort on long trips/noise/power
Bought it with 72000 on it. Drove it daily in town and long trips for 90000 more miles. Routine maintenance except replacing Mass Airflow Sensor. 5 cylinder is reliable as a rock, but lacks the power to pass effectively. Mileage has been very consistent at 21mpg city/26hwy. We call it the 'pooch-mobile' because our labs love it. Mega-room in the back. Only real complaint I have is the lack of long-trip seat comfort. Over 300 miles and you're squirming.
great car
about 15 years ago my dash board lock gave out
a most amazing reliable,plenty of power like brand new.comfortable,no shaking at higher speeds,no rust inside or outside,origional paint stillgood,and having a 5 speed manuel is a feature i have always and will only have in any vehicle i will ever own!along with my 1968 chev.1/2t0n stepside(a fond memory)this is absolutely the best vehicle! yes, i will restore the power door locks and odometer and other little minor incidentals,and the only major repairs ever done has been a new clutch to this wagon i proudly own the last 1oo% made, manufactured VOLVO car from the swedish factory ( i beleave)with only 200 thous.plus miles with another 200 thous.if i so wish it.well , it is a true european goodie! many other owners of this particular model will attest to this.please note this IS NOT a sales ad.
