1995 Volvo 850 GLT review from UK and Ireland

Rear brake disks replaced.

Oil leak on the rear seal, where the gearbox connects to the engine.

The car is extremely comfortable and reliable, a bargain buy if you get a good one.

The seats are supportive and wear well, the aircon, electric windows and other gadgets really add to the driving experience.

The performance is OK, the engine is a 2.5 with 170bhp, with the auto gearbox the car is a bit sluggish off the lights, but picks up well from 45mph right the way up to 100mph.

Fuel economy is a bit shocking, 22mph around town if you blast it between traffic lights with the auto-box in sport mode; 25mpg if you stick it in econ mode and drive like your granny; will do 30mph on the motorway at legal (ishh) speeds.

Handing is OK, it is a front wheel drive and so there is lots of grip, and the car just under-steers without doing anything dramatic. The 850 is a lot better handing than my previous 1994 Cavalier, but it is not hot hatch.

However, make sure you get a good one as I had to sell mine due to the crankshaft seal? leaking, a 10hr £500-£800 job to get done, also the autobox can get a bit jerky/thrashy and they can eat through tyres.

Service history and condition is more important than mileage; the 850 is one of the more maintainence heavy old Volvo's, so don't buy a shed!

I paid £650 for mine around august 2006, sold it with the leaky oil seal and dodgy auto-box for £500 around April 2007.

I have just got myself a mint t5 saloon with full service history, I am now a Volvo convert for life.