1993 Volvo 850 GLT from North America - Comments

I bought my 1993 Volvo 850 in 1995 with 30K miles on it. It now has 165K miles on it.

At around 80K the transmission was leaking fluid somehow. The Volvo dealer determined that the transmission housing casting was porous and the fluid was just bleeding through the walls. They got a new one, installed it, and it leaked during the test drive. The third one has been fine.

The rear main seal started leaking at 130K and $1K later it is repaired.

This car was my primary commuting vehicle with no passengers. The driver seat wore completely through at the bolsters. The rarely sat upon passenger seats ripped at the seams. I got some nice seats out of a 1995 850 and installed them four months ago.

The radiator cracked last year and had to be replaced.

The lights in the rocker switches on the dash went out. For 1993 and 1994 those little bulbs were soldered into the switches, so you need to buy new switches- $30-$60 each.

Contrast this to my 1992 740 wagon with 265k miles with one valve job and no other work other than regular maintenance. Everything is far better in the 92 than in the 93.

This car has the same style drive train as the new XC-90. I won't be buying one of those.

I would not recommend any 850 or any of the newer (cheaper manufactured) Volvos.

I traded in my restored 1969 2002 BMW as down payment for this 850. The 2002 was a better car.

Well- first off, your problems start with taking your car to the Volvo dealership. Volvo dealerships charge an outrageous amount of money for them to "fix" your car. Next, Volvo's (especially early/mid 90s) break down frequently. If you have your car into the shop once every 3 months or so, your mechanic (not dealership) can assess the problems and save you a lot of $$$. Radiators, seals and lights might as well be the preface on the contract before you buy an 850. I own 2 850s (a '93 GLT and a '96 R) and little things go all the time. As for the seats, my '93 has just short of 160K and does not have any wear on the leather passenger seat. My driver seat has a little wear, but it is barely noticible -- and after leather conditioner it looks brand new. As I am sure you know, '93 was the only year where Volvo put the "hard" leather seating surfaces in their cars--which tend to wear faster than the plush 94-97 softer leather. These do have a tendency to crack more easily. If you bought the car in '95 3 years after it was manufactured, you must have done something to the seats because that's not close to normal, or even above normal wear. (And I am the 3rd owner of the car--I haven't owned until a little over a year ago. Before I owned it it was driven in the snow on the East coast.) I can understand your concern with the new Volvo's and not everyone has a pleasant experience with Volvo. Some people prefer a maintenace free car with a quiet ride and an engine that will be shot before you hit 100K--maybe that person is you. For people who like to have a car that will last forever -- and have a body, paintjob and engine that will last forever, than the 850 is your car. For other people you like you its not your kind of car.

With regard to your seats, I have 95 850 turbo and the car has 266xxx km on it and the seats are not riped or worn on the seams at all. The condition of the seats is a function of how hard you are on them, you need to take car of leather seats in all cars.