1996 Volvo 850 Wagon review from North America

Interior pieces don't hold up all that well, and I'm not "hard" on my cars. Console lights have gone out, the buttons for the AC and Recirculating-thing, all going, going, and...yep gone.

I absolutely love this car, but like that cute redhead in the sixth grade, the car doesn't seem to love me back. We put $2500 into susp, tires (Kumhos are fantastic on this car), brakes, a new timing belt and windshield. Still, there's another 2-3K left to put in to make this the ride I hoped for. If you buy this car be aware of the cost of repairs and look into doing as much as possible yourself. If you want comfort, this car has it in abundance. But if you're one of those folks that needs creature comforts, cup holders, interior lights, and so on, I would look at something less time consuming.

To be sure, one could do a lot worse than the Volvo 850 Wagon (base). I found that when this car was in running order it was the best car I've ever driven (including a test drive in a 540--the comfort level wasn't even close.) I'm a big guy (6', 225) and the seat didn't even wince. What's more, I was amazed that after 43K miles of driving, my wide load didn't do one thing to the bolster (the part of every car I wear out the fastest.)

My wife and I will trade this car and a Saturn in tomorrow for a lease on a Ford Escape, but I think if I weren't married I'd give Mulva a little more time.