Just got rid of my 1996 850 GLT.................here are the thing what were bad at 114K miles... FYI

As a referance, I'd thought I'd list the longevity of some of the components of the 850 GLT from 1996:

- Center console soda can holder broken, replaced twiced, got tired of replacing after 3rd time

- ABS/Traks intermitten lights.. when light on ABS does not work.

- Oil leakage.. guess common one

- Beginning to feel transmission problem.... could have been low fluids, never pursuid it.

- Wagon/rear door panel loose... very common problem

- At very cold temp, tire need air every two weeks

- Evaporator failure at 80K miles, repair cost $1200

- Head light fluid sprayer became water fountain. Would spray everywhere except head light.

I have a new XC70 but this really makes me think cause I also have a honda accord. I've always had an accord for the second car. The last one had 150K when I got rid of it a year ago and it had none of the problems that the 850 GLT had. I only had to replace very common items like headlight bulbs and fluid changes. Nothing really broke. Well, I guess I'll just have to keep my currant honda longer and use the Volvo less.

Just my 2 cents.... that's all.

Reply to
bitstream
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There's less to break on the Honda, it's a cheaper car, plenty reliable but lacking in comfort, safety and style. If it has the features you need then stick with it.

Reply to
James Sweet

Maybe it was a dog but can you really blame a car model because the tyres leak? geez.

Reply to
jg

Recent model Hondas are having transmission problems, body rattles and the like. I purchased on '03 Accord to replace my '96 850 and I have been without it for weeks at a time for warranty repairs. In fact it has been in the shop all this past week getting a new automatic transmission. My warranty is about up and I am debating the question of keeping or ditching it. The Honda front rotors warped at 15k miles (never had that happen on a Volvo) and the rear pads were completely shot at 25k miles, yet the front pads were fine. My sister in law has a shiny new '05 Civic Hybrid, which needs it's head gasket replaced at

5,000 miles. The point is, Hondas are certainly not perfect either, at least not the new ones.

John

Reply to
John Horner

It is a flimsey piece of junk, agreed.

Rebild it for 150 and dont worry about it again.

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- Oil leakage.. guess common one With many cars as they age

Could be a tire/wheel issue, not a volvo issue....

I agree, the japanese cars are so much more reliable, but they are so boring and sterile too. Pay your money and take your pick.

When I get in the wife's Volvo for a trip it's always nice to drive--for me that counts for a lot.

Reply to
Steve

- There are plastic super glues as well as plastic epoxy available at the hardware store. Use plastic stock or even old 3.5" floppy disc plastic to repair broken plastic. Repaint with "Fusion paint made for plastic. I have saved $100's with these products.

-Personally, I avoid front wheel drive cars and always will. They add complication and make little sense- why? They have the least amount of drive traction when you need it most. EXAMPLE: Get a fully loaded FrontWD car. Stop on an uphill, dirt or gravel road (or paved road with sand on it). Accelerate and listen to the front wheels spin. All the weight shifting to the rear wheels lessens the drive traction. Any car can get going downhill, even on ice- uphill is a different story. That's just my experience. All wheel drive makes more sense if you need it.

-Yup.

-You buy Volvo tires?

- You went to Volvo?

-That happens to all of us as we age! ;-)

-It was such a good car that you sold it? Why?

-It's a matter of buying better Volvos. I have seen some REALLY great used Volvos with low miles for $2000-3000 (240's and 740's), and a few up to about $5000 (a beautiful 960 Estate).

Surem there are sme cars with better reputations as far as build, but none with the crash survivability that surpasses Volvo. I know- I was a firefighter and saw what happens to a lot of cars in accidents. it ain't pretty. I would rather pay the mechanic than the orthopedist.

__ __ Randy & \ \/ /alerie's \__/olvo '93 960 Estate

Reply to
Randy G.

As John Horner points out, Honda/Acura has struggled with tranny problems in the last decade; brake and build quality problems are showing up more recently. We have a 2002 Toyota Prius with 47K miles and no failures - we have only replaced tires and a broken windshield. I just got an email this morning from a Prius owner who finished the 150K mile service on his 2001, and all he has done besides the routine is replace the tires - still on the original brakes.

In contrast, the list of problems I had with an '84 Nissan 300ZX would be enormous - even the more than a dozen electrical intermittents wore me out.

But it's exactly as you say: pay your money and take your pick.

Mike

Reply to
Michael Pardee

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