1993 Volvo 850 GLT from North America - Comments

Virtually nothing at all... A fan belt needed to be replaced, the ashtray was jammed, and there was a problem with the window controls which resulted from spilling lemonade all over the center console, but otherwise this car has been totally problem-free... it could easily last another 10 or 15 years, even more! Volvo knows how to make cars that last.

It's an incredibly safe, well-made, comfortable car.

Granted, it's somewhat boring, but the interior is very well-done (I love the cloth/vinyl seats and the sound system is very good) and the performance is surprising (put the pedal to the metal and the car behaves decidedly unvolvoesque). It's no ferrari or porsche, but I love my Volvo.

If you want to get a reliable, comfortable, safe, and surprisingly well-performing used or new car, I'd highly suggest a Volvo.

I couldn't disagree more with the previous comment. I own a 1993 850 GLT and it drives and looks exactly now as the day it was driven off the showroom floor. I still get comments every now and then from people about how sharp it looks. I am not shy with the gas pedal and this car has definitely been driven! I do take care of the scheduled maintenance and make sure to change the oil every 3000 miles, but other than that it has spent literally zero time in the shop! The only problem I've had is replacing the hydraulic shocks that keep the trunk open for loading and replacing a broken radio antennae - obviously minor repairs. Volvo makes wonderfully comfortable and reliable cars, and they're actually fun to drive as well. A fantastic value if you plan on keeping a car for 10 years or more.

I have found '93 850 for sale with 180,000km on the clock. I live in the South of France and do 500k motorway driving per week. My present car, a Ford Modeo, is a diesel and if nothing else, is very economical.

I have read conflicting reviews on fuel consumption for this model and year. Could you give me your honest evaluation of the fuel consumption, as this will be an important factor in assessing the car's feasability. I have no doubts as to its reliablity, having owned 4 Volvos in the past, without any mechanical problems.

Thank you.

Christian DODD.

I have a 1993 volvo 850 2.3L 5 cylinder and seems like every time I fill up the car starts to smoke and runs rough then I will shut it off and it will not start up it gets flooded out still don't know what the problem is if anyone could help please email me at james000777@aol.com and let me know thanks for your time.

James.