Volvo 850 (1992 - 1997)
MODELS COVERED: 850 - 1992-1997 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2.0 5-cycl 10v/20v, 2.3 5-cyl turbo, T5 [base, S, SE, GLT, GLE, CD, R]
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
Before the 850's arrival in 1992, Volvos were safe and usually uninspiring. This car changed all that. Now, the franchise had a fine-handling and attractive-looking executive contender good enough to take on the Germans. A car you can believe in became A car you might want to be seen in.
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A front-wheel drive
Volvo was a radical step for the then conservative Swedish company, especially when the new car also boasted an unusual five-cylinder engine. To Volvo's credit, their marketing was, and still is, brilliant, with the result that the 850 and its successors, the S70 and V70, have been big hits with British buyers. It all means that those looking for used 850s now have quite a choice.
A sensible and very safe family car with performance in some models that may surprise you. T5 turbos have a 150mph top speed, and, more importantly, the handling and road-holding to cope with it. All 850s are well built and solid later cars have Volvo's Side Impact Protection System (signified by a SIPS sticker on the back window) to better protect you in lateral collisions. Standard equipment is good, no matter which trim level you pick. The original SE and GLT both came with a sunroof (electric on the latter) and electric windows, as well as an adjustable steering column. Options were extensive and many cars feature air-conditioning, leather trim and cruise control.
Volvos have always had strong residual values and the sought-after 850 is no exception. The estates, as you might expect, priced from about £2,000, command a premium. For a 20-valve GLT estate on a 95N plate, pay around £3,700. A similar age saloon can be yours for about £250 less.
If it's a T5 you're after, the cheapest you'll find will be a 94L saloon. Expect to pay about £3,400. You'll be lucky to find a T5 estate for anything less than about £4,000. Used diesel examples can be difficult to find. Their economy is excellent and can make big-car motoring more affordable. The late 1997P estates in plush CD trim fetch around £6,300 or about £300 less if you take the lower spec SE.
These cars are reliable, in the main, but a full dealer service history is obviously desirable, particularly with a turbo. On T5s, check for obvious signs of abuse, such as uneven tyre wear, worn synchromesh and clutch slippage. Check the exhaust for blue smoke by having someone rev the engine and watch the car's tailpipe a sure sign of a damaged engine and/or turbocharger seals.
(Approx based on a K-reg 2.5 GLT) A clutch assembly is around £150 while a new exhaust should be just under £300. An alternator on exchange will be around £200, new front brake pads £65 and a headlight around £180.
Ten-valve cars are pleasant enough but a little on the slow side. If you want a good family vehicle that needs to double as a tow car, go for the 20-valve engine or consider the turbo petrols or diesels. Handling is a strongpoint whichever car you choose predictable and very capable.
The Volvo for people who said they'd never buy a Volvo. Good-looking, handling and riding, with a healthy dose of built-in performance and luxury. A safe bet.
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