Volvo Shopping

[TBR]

Okay, so my family needs to replace my brother's truck ('86 F-150, between gas mileage and repair costs it doesn't make sense). We really have three options:
1. Buy me a new car and give the Prelude to my brother
2. Buy my brother a new car
3. Buy my mother a brand new car, give the Subaru to me, and give the Prelude to my brother.

#1 and 2 are most likely, so I am Volvo shopping. Between Madman and CJ I have become convinced that an early '90s Volvo will be very reliable, comfortable, and fuel efficient. If I get one and drive it for a few days and don't want to give up the handling/engine of the Prelude, then my brother would get it. But, I really want something with fewer miles and a bit more comfort for the trip between Texas and North Carolina, which I will be making at least 4 times a year. Now, from what I understand RWD Volvos are generally the ones considered to be super reliable, but I am finding a lot of good deals on 850s, so how are they from a reliability POV?

[CALL_911]

Option #3 all the way.

[TBR]

Like I said, that's most likely not going to happen. And, the car that fits my mother's criteria the best (good fuel economy, lots of room) is a Nissan Versa SL, not exactly exciting.

[CALL_911]

Like I said, that's most likely not going to happen. And, the car that fits my mother's criteria the best (good fuel economy, lots of room) is a Nissan Versa SL, not exactly exciting.

Oh, true.

Weren't you looking at Proteg?5's a while ago? Those are probably more fun than the Volvos, although I hear 850's are excellent.

[ifcar]

No 15-year-old car is "super-reliable." If you expect to get one and not have to repair it, you're fooling yourself.

[TBR]

Oh, true.

Weren't you looking at Proteg?5's a while ago? Those are probably more fun than the Volvos, although I hear 850's are excellent.

I looked at a Protege5, because it was local and a good deal, but ultimately I don't want to spend that much.

And, ifcar, I am not an idiot, but a '95 940 will be more reliable than a '95 Taurus. I am not looking at an '80s Volvo and a 2000s Chevrolet here.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=245099019&dealer_id=62659801&car_year=1995&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=VOLVO&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=75901&advanced=&end_year=1997&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=118

[CALL_911]

I looked at a Protege5, because it was local and a good deal, but ultimately I don't want to spend that much.

And, ifcar, I am not an idiot, but a '95 940 will be more reliable than a '95 Taurus. I am not looking at an '80s Volvo and a 2000s Chevrolet here.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=245099019&dealer_id=62659801&car_year=1995&model=&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=VOLVO&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=75901&advanced=&end_year=1997&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=118

How far are you from Plano? There are some deadly Volvos there.

[TBR]

Too far.

[CALL_911]

Too far.

Would you be down with an 850 Turbo?

what area are you near?

[CJ]

Find the lowest miles 940, run a Carfax, and buy it.  It won't be perfect, mine's not, but it'll be damn nice.  They handle seriously good.  Better than my brothers Integra.

[ifcar]

TBR, a 95 Taurus doesn't cost the same as a 95 Volvo. I would certainly trust a 2000 or so Taurus more than a 95 Volvo, especially if the Volvo is as high-mileage as most are.

But I wasn't criticizing Volvos, just saying that nothing that old and high-mileage is going to have a very good chance of not having something go wrong.

[Secret Chimp]

They handle seriously good.  Better than my brothers Integra.

o rly?

[CJ]

o rly?

He drove his car back to back with my car and said that my car felt more compsed and felt better.  My car is also the only car that you don't have to do a three point turn in this one spot infront of my house.

[Eye of the Tiger]

He drove his car back to back with my car and said that my car felt more compsed and felt better.  My car is also the only car that you don't have to do a three point turn in this one spot infront of my house.

His Integra must have blown shocks, loose ball joints and tie rods, and three flat tires.

[TBR]

TBR, a 95 Taurus doesn't cost the same as a 95 Volvo. I would certainly trust a 2000 or so Taurus more than a 95 Volvo, especially if the Volvo is as high-mileage as most are.

But I wasn't criticizing Volvos, just saying that nothing that old and high-mileage is going to have a very good chance of not having something go wrong.

You can't get a 2000 Taurus in decent condition for $3000.

[TBR]

His Integra must have blown shocks, loose ball joints and tie rods, and three flat tires.

No kidding. Obviously I like Volvos, but I'll definitely be downgrading from a performance POV.

The main reason I started this thread is to find out about the 850. Anyone have any reliability info?

Also, Ro, I'd prefer a N/A.

[Eye of the Tiger]

No kidding. Obviously I like Volvos, but I'll definitely be downgrading from a performance POV.

The main reason I started this thread is to find out about the 850. Anyone have any reliability info?

Also, Ro, I'd prefer a N/A.

N/A!?
As far as I know, Volvos are as reliable as bricks, but I don't know too much. I do know that I'd keep the Prelude for myself.

[ifcar]

You can't get a 2000 Taurus in decent condition for $3000.

I don't know about your area, but I certainly could get one. I have a dozen to choose from on AutoTrader alone. A sampling:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=232891536&dealer_id=55673689&car_year=2000&model=TAURUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=4000&cardist=44
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=241973270&dealer_id=62348537&car_year=2000&model=TAURUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=4000&cardist=63
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=222694058&dealer_id=51391400&car_year=2000&num_records=25&model=TAURUS&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=26&make=FORD&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=4000&cardist=52

[TBR]

N/A!?
As far as I know, Volvos are as reliable as bricks, but I don't know too much. I do know that I'd keep the Prelude for myself.

Reliability and gas mileage.

[TBR]

I don't know about your area, but I certainly could get one. I have a dozen to choose from on AutoTrader alone. A sampling:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=232891536&dealer_id=55673689&car_year=2000&model=TAURUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=4000&cardist=44
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=241973270&dealer_id=62348537&car_year=2000&model=TAURUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=4000&cardist=63
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=222694058&dealer_id=51391400&car_year=2000&num_records=25&model=TAURUS&systime=&make2=&start_year=2000&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=26&make=FORD&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20744&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=4000&cardist=52

There's a couple, but most of them have well over 100k and I am just as concerned about mileage as age.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You can't get a 2000 Taurus in decent condition for $3000.

Oh yes you can. Actually, that's about what they go for. But you don't want one of those bor-mobiles. You want this

[Eye of the Tiger]

Reliability and gas mileage.

Turbos don't genearlly decraese reliability at factory boost levels, and gas mileage shouldn't suffer too much as long as you keep your foot out of it.

[ifcar]

There's a couple, but most of them have well over 100k and I am just as concerned about mileage as age.

None of the ones I posted had over 100k miles. Unlike a 170k-mile Volvo you posted.

[TBR]

None of the ones I posted had over 100k miles. Unlike a 170k-mile Volvo you posted.

In my area is what I meant. And I don't know about you, but I'd be far more comfortable with a car with "brick like reliability" and 170k miles than one that happens to be 5 years newer but as a reputation for reliability issues.

[ifcar]

In my area is what I meant. And I don't know about you, but I'd be far more comfortable with a car with "brick like reliability" and 170k miles than one that happens to be 5 years newer but as a reputation for reliability issues.

Five years and 80k miles newer...And what reliability issues does the 2000-2007 Taurus have a reputation for?

Reputation for reliability is what makes people spend ridiculous amounts of money on old high-mileage cars, not actual reliability.

[TBR]

No, the 5 years newer with the same mileage, I am not driving to Maryland to buy a damn Taurus. $3000 isn't a ridiculous amount of money for a 12 year old luxury car with average miles.

[ifcar]

No, the 5 years newer with the same mileage, I am not driving to Maryland to buy a damn Taurus. $3000 isn't a ridiculous amount of money for a 12 year old luxury car with average miles.

I didn't say it was. I just said that you seem to be overconfident that it won't have reliability problems, which I stand by.

Then you brought up the Taurus, seemingly out of nowhere, and with inaccurate information.

[Raza]

I am told 850s are more reliable than the S70s that followed.  The only problem I have with 850s is that the strong engines didn't come with a stick, but that doesn't seem an issue for you.

[TBR]

I didn't say it was. I just said that you seem to be overconfident that it won't have reliability problems, which I stand by.

Then you brought up the Taurus, seemingly out of nowhere, and with inaccurate information.

I am confident that it will have no more problems than a much more boring (and similarly priced) Camry/Accord.

I brought up the Taurus because it was what came to mind that would be closest in size to a Volvo but cheaper or newer.

Raza, that isn't an issue because I don't particularly care if I get one of the strong engines or a stick.

[Raza]

Well, you said you didn't want a turbo.  Now why would you trade in the Prelude for a naturally aspirated, automatic old Volvo?  It can't just be practicality because this is your first time off home base.  Would the gas mileage actually be better than your Prelude?  I don't know which engine you have, but EPA says a 1995 Prelude gets up 29mpg highway with a stickshift.  A same year 850 will get no better, and that's assuming that a 13 year old car will perform as new.

I could see driving an 850 because they're cool.  A turbo or an 850R would be even better.  Getting stuck with the 2.4 is okay because you can get a stick.  168bhp and only 3183 to pull isn't going to be blazing, but if none of the horses escaped, it wouldn't be slow (for comparison purposes, my Passat has 170, with a turbo, and 3300 pounds, albeit with one extra gear and a manual shift capability--I'm not alleging manual shift makes a car faster, mind you), but I'd opt for the stick if available.