Volvo 850 estate 2.5 10v 1996

[Harold_Shand]

What do you know?

Up for £895 with 106k miles? Looks good...helluva lot cheaper than a Meriva, space for tools and waste and a nice bit of power... I did have a 440 and it was a pile of shit.
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Faldo]

Don't know a great deal about them myself, but I know it's important to check the heater works as it should. Heater matrixes (sp?) and head gaskets can be a problem.

[SlimRick]

I sold my dads last year with 285k on the clock

[BenR]

Haven't heard of head gasket problems but as stated above check to make sure the heater works as to change the matrix is about £600. I think it mainly applies to the later V70/S70. Are you sure you couldn't stretch to a T5? Cheap to insure & not much more to run servicing wise yet go like stink. Faster than a ferrari 348 from 70-130mph. Probably pick one up for a similar price. Just check the clutch as early ones tended to chew release bearings.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[strag]

Trust me, they do not deliver a nice bit of power! I had the 2.5 20v V70, all round a great car. Comfy, quiet, no problems at all but powerful it was not.
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carbon bling

[BenR]

The T5s do, V/S70 was 240bhp & V/S70R 250bhp respectively 0-60 6.7secs & limited to 155mph. How fast do you want to go lol!?
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[D O G]

Buy. Awesome motor. I had a 1994 2.0 estate, and whilst the engine was underpowered the rest of the car was awesome. Handled nicely, was smooth as silk in the ride department, great stereo too.

Loadsa space in the back, great, flat load area, and just so solidly built it inspired confidence. Plus you have that huuuge bonnet out front to make you feel special.

Don't expect great MPG, mine did around 28mpg, but they are big bastards. It will eat the front tyres, especially with the bigger motor, so that's something to check. Oh, and they do a weird thing if you drive them for 30 secs or so (say to move them out of the way), then switch off, they become a PITA to restart, but once you have them going again it's not a problem.

Overall, I'd have another in a heartbeat.

Makes you drive like a cock tho.

[strag]

[Phoenix]

I had the P2 V70 T5 and I do not think it was a fast car, it felt slow considering it was 250hp and most of the times the wheels would just spin rather than it actually going anywhere, plus there was quite a lot torque steer, a scooby is 250hp but actually feels quick, if you want a big reasonably fast estate and nice comfy tourer then yes go for a V70 or 850 but i'd choose the D5 instead or the 2.5D, more torque and better economy, 19-22mpg was my average in the T5, friend has the 2.0T and is only marginally better. The 2.5 petrol i'm not sure on, i'd still rather have a diesel, they're so bad on petrol. Unparalleled for boot space though, wheelarches are the smallest of any estate and good square profile for filling the boot to the roof, furniture or whatever.

[10 pence Short]

[map]

The 440 Volvos are recognised as not good.
The 850, etc. are a different breed though, completely different market.

For an unbiased opinion you could try browsing the Volvo Owners Forum for any known issues with the 850 range. They've been around so long no doubt all identified and solution(s) found.

FWIW found Richard Hammond's review of a 940 if you click here.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Harold_Shand]

Cheers for the input, I'm still thinking...

Space is the issue but my Xsara is 100% and does about 300 miles to £30 give or take... not sure if it's worth the risk and added running costs...mmmm

I've got no space for a trailer, unfortunatley.
____________________
BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.