Hi there,

                      I'm considering purchasing a newer car. We currently have an '84 245 that is about ready to be "put out
                      to pasture." I'd like to buy a Volvo, because the 240 has been such a great car, but I need more
                      information first.

                      I think that the 850 is a beautiful car and I've been told that it is more comfortable inside and has more
                      amenities. Ideally, I'd like to find a low mileage n/a 854 with a 5spd, leather and sunroof. I've ruled out
                      the turbo model because it was not offered with a standard transmission and that just seems like one
                      more (expensive) part to replace as the car ages.

                      What was the last year that the 850 was made (before it became v70)? What are the differences
                      between early models (e.g. '93-95) and the later cars? Were all model years available with a stick?
                      How quickly do they depreciate? What kind of mileage should I expect with a stick?

                      I apologise for asking so many questions, but I thought that this was probably the best place to "talk"
                      with people who own these cars.

                      (I'm also considering the Audi A4 1.8T. Has anyone drive one of these?)

                      Thanks in advance... :-)

                      I just bought my 1st Volvo in October. I grabbed a 94 854 Turbo with sport package and charcoal
                      leather. The car had 160000 miles on the clock and had several issues to resolve. In all, I have $<1000
                      in repairs and maintenance since I bought it. I did ALL work myself and am able to get parts from
                      Volvo at cost. I now have 172800 miles on the car, average 26+ MPG highway and 22+ in the city. At
                      this point I would not even entertain the thought of driving anything else. This car is fast, good looking,
                      and handles great right out of the box. I used to be dead set on driving only manual trans cars but this
                      854 Turbo has made me a beliver in decent automatics. (Still can't believe that I am saying that...) I got
                      the car for $7500 and have been grinning since then. Now, as I understand it, you can get an 850 turbo
                      with manual trans if you look. I know that the "R" version in the USA is auto only though. I recall the
                      850's from 93-early 94 were not too hot. (I have one that was built in 7/94 and has the new style
                      headlights, dash switches, and moon roof.) From what I have read here, 96's were the best year to buy.
                      I think that 98 was the last year for the 850s as they became the 70 then. IMHO, a late 94 or 95 is the
                      best buy if you are a do it yourself guy since the computer codes can be read without any tools. The
                      96+ need a scan tool, and it is not too cheap. Concerning value of the car, I can not really comment
                      since mine has high mileage and was bought at a dealer only auction. I have seen similiar cars with 80k+
                      miles and minor issues go for $14k. I have seen one other like mine with 66k miles and identical options,
                      color, and perfect condition roll away for $16,500. Hope this helps shed some light on the market for
                      you.

                      Prospero

                      850 GLT, Burgandy Wine ext/charcoal leather int.....
                      TONS of bells and whistles, 92K on it, 4 spd auto, sunroof....
                      Picked it up for $7995
                      We bought this car for my wife to drive...now we almost fight over who gets the keys. One word for the
                      way the car rides/drives....REFINED.
                      Now I finally know how great a car can be, when its done RIGHT. How everything can 'flow' together.
                      This is our first Volvo, and I'm SOLD on em' from here on out.
                      Next, the hunt for an old 124 for me to 'play' with.

                      Cheers,
                      Russ

                      I too was in the market for a none turbo 850... I test drive 3 none turbo car
                      You have to step on it....... very low on power...
                      Once I get on the Turbo the different is night and day......
                      The Turbo sold on the spot....
                      I paid $7500 1994 original owner with all record....113,000 on the car leather and CD and all..
                      Excelent condition... we love our car... Turbo last very long time....oftend worth the extra cost ...
                      I love the 850 shape... none turbo is fine... but give a Turbo a test drive
                      before you buy... or you may miss something big time
                      With board support you can do all your repair and work yourself....
                      Shop around don't paid too much....
                      We all know 850 seem to have some problem with the transmission.... keep my
                      finger cross....
                      I will not trade the Turbo for any thing ...

                      What market are you in? In United States a manual tranny
                      on base model is available on the 98 S70s. I'm not sure if
                      99, 00 and 01 base models are available with manuals (probably
                      did not sell many of them even if they are).

                      Manual transmissions were not available on the 850s in U.S.
                      Although, you do occasionally see one advertised -- for those,
                      I would check to see if they came from a dealer or across the
                      border in some other way (gray market).

                      --
                      Ray Niblett 95 855 GLT / 98 S70 T5M

                      >What was the last year that the 850 was made (before it became v70)?
                      The 850 (1993-1997) and the SVC70 (1998-2000) are essentially the same car. There was a minor
                      exterior restyle in 1998 when it became the SVC70, and some interior changes, such as the power
                      window switches were relocated from the console right below the cupholder (!!!) to the driver's door.
                      >What are the differences between early models (e.g. '93-95) and the later cars?Were all model years
                      available with a stick?
                      Yes, all model years were available in the US. Naturally aspirated 850-SVC70s were available with a
                      stick in the US from 1993 to 2000. High-pressure SVC70 turbos were available with a stick
                      1998-2000. Low pressure turbos (1997-2000) were not available with a stick in the US.
                      >How quickly do they depreciate?
                      Fast. Lots of complaints here, particularly in comparison with BMW. You avoid that if you drive a car
                      until it's "fully depreciated" as I do.
                      >What kind of mileage should I expect with a stick?
                      Depends. Really. On the kind of driving you do and the kind of driver you are.
                      >(I'm also considering the Audi A4 1.8T. Has anyone drive one of these?)
                      Yes. I think it's too small. Nice, well screwed together, but too small.

                      Another opinion:
                      I have 3 in the driveway now..1.) 1995 n/a 850 manual, 2.) 1997 n/a 850 auto, and 3.) a 1999 n/a S70
                      manual. I had a 1993 850 GLT manual.
                      I've driven other 850 manuals and autos. The turbo is very quick. The n/a manuals seem to vary in
                      quickness for some reason. There is no pattern from what I can see. My 1993 n/a manual could get 2nd
                      gear chirps. The 1999 n/a manual seems very fast, and gets excellent gas mileage...25 around town and
                      30 on a trip. I've driven a friend's 1993 n/a manual that is sluggish.

                      Of all the cars, I liked the 1993 the best and the S70 the least. Yes, they are "all essentially the same
                      car", but the small differences can only be assessed by you. The S70 has a softer ride...the rounder
                      edges inside are less practicle in my view...the "new" window switches are flimsey and prone to
                      failure....the new plug-in light sockets are problem prone....I've taken the door panel off of all the cars
                      for stereo work....the S70 door panels were redesigned in order to be popped on the factory in 2
                      seconds...no screws. Do I really care about this stuff? Yup..if I only cared about the obvious utility of
                      the product, I'd buy a Honda. Yes, the car is way better than a Honda...but the redesign aspects did not
                      improve the car in anyway, except the engine management system, which made a great running engine
                      run even better. My only point here is that some people will like the S70 more and some will like the
                      850 more, and some people won't care about the differences. So you need to access whether YOU
                      care about the differences, because if you assume like I did that you will love your S70 as much as your
                      850, you may be disappointed. Don't assume.