Volvo 850, to sell or not to sell?

[Durham850]

So I've reached a point that I'm pretty sure every shitter comes to on a regular basis, I've got my trusty old volvo 850 in rare tdi manual flavour and I've had it now getting on for 2 years, that's forever for me because I usually change cars like I change my underpants (every few months whether I need to or not) but it's been a reliable old thing which has meant I've never gotten sick of it, it does have a few issues but doesn't every 21 year old 200k plus motor? The problem is that I now fancy a saab, not just any saab, a petrol 93 in hatchback form (can't get enough of manky old swedes! Watch out ulrika johnson) being sensible enough to know I can't afford to run two cars means I've either got to pass on my volvo to get the saab or follow my dreams of saab ownership and let the only car I've ever loved slip through my fingers, what do you think?

If anyone is interested in adopting my current old lady and nursing her into an easy retirement let me know and I will add pics, for now here is a list of the issues I know of, electric sunroof doesn't work, odometer stopped at 209k miles and I've done a fair few since then so honestly it's probably at about 240k now, the service light is on but I did service it about 10k miles ago just couldn't get it to turn off, abs light is on even though the brakes work fine, apart from the handbrake which needs adjusting, slight smell of diesel but I'm getting the same economy I always have out of it and it's got an oil leak coming from the sump where the sump plug has been put in minus the washer at some point, that's all I really know of, finally here's the reg if you want to do an mot history check N126FTP

[mk2_craig]

I get the feeling 850s are right at the bottom of their value bell curve and will be on the up shortly, not sure how desirable the denzel engine will be going forwards though. Verdict: KEEP

[Durham850]

I get the feeling 850s are right at the bottom of their value bell curve and will be on the up shortly, not sure how desirable the denzel engine will be going forwards though. Verdict: KEEP

[twosmoke300]

Don't get a 9-3! 9-5 much nicer and more saaby

[Durham850]

I'm told the diesel engine is only particularly interesting to VAG drivers who want them to transplant into transporter vans but I don't really want the car to go to scrap, I think despite its miles and issues it's worth more than being ripped to bits then crushed

[Durham850]

Don't get a 9-3! 9-5 much nicer and more saaby

[Guest Hooli]

Great reg for this place.

 

 

/no help at all

 

 

 

ETA: I always thought the manual Tdi was the best daily 850, almost as much fun as a T5 but with sensible fuel costs.

[Durham850]

But 9-5 is a vectra underneath?

[twosmoke300]

And the 9-3 is an Astra / cavalier with a flexible bulkhead and terrible handling

[garethj]

I’ve got the same problem with my V70 tdi, I’ve kept it for so long because it does all kinds of handy stuff considering the buttons they cost to buy.

 

But if you want to try a new car, go for it. If you want another Volvo in 3 years time there will still be loads on the road to choose from.

[Guest Hooli]

95 is nice though, well I like mine anyway.

[twosmoke300]

Yeh loved my one . Had it in work today actually for an aux belt change

[Shep Shepherd]

95 is nice though, well I like mine anyway.

 

So do I. It's a brilliant car and more than worthy of the Saab name

[Durham850]

I do like the 9-5as well but if I was to get one I'd prefer the estate, my 850 is a saloon now and it's sometimes hard to transport bigger items that don't fit into the boot opening, to the point where I had to borrow a friends clio to move a fridge freezer

 

EDIT*

The Saab I'd really really like is a 9000 hatch

[rantingYoof]

You really feel the cost-cutting in a 9-3. Cheapest dashboard materials I've ever experienced, flimsy buttons and just not very solid-Saab-like.

[twosmoke300]

I always found the 9-3 felt very small inside . The sides slope in too much at the top .

[forddeliveryboy]

Keep the 850, especially if you can change the cambelt yourself. It's worth so little it makes no sense to bid it farewell, unless space is a problem.

[Sloth in a bowl]

You're going to have to keep it, you can't change your forum name till you have 400 posts up.

[Lacquer Peel]

The cambelt isn't too bad, even I managed it. *DO NOT LEAVE THE FUEL PUMP BELT COVER OFF AND STUFF RAGS INTO THE ENGINE BAY TO STEM A VALVE COVER LEAK, THAT DOES NOT END WELL*

[Minimad5]

Pictures of 850 please squire

[Durham850]

as promised, pics would be added if requested, it could do with a good clean but some how I like it better when its looking a bit shabby chic  

[Jim Bell]

And just how much fiscal trauma will directly impact the next keeper at the point of handshake?

[Durham850]

I really don't know in honesty, I know what the car owes me but I also know I'm never going to get that back

[chatsharris]

The OG 93 is fairly solid I think, apart from bulkhead issues (not happened to mine), the sump issue (it's a diseasel - only affects petrol engines) and rusty arches (I definitely have this). I'd have another in a heartbeat, especially as they only cost a few hundred quid and just last forever.

[Guest Hooli]

If the volvo was an estate rather than in a state I'd say keep it. The only good thing about the goona I had was it was an estate & they are surprisingly handy once you've owned one.

[Lankytim]

These saloons are difficult to value, nobody seems to want them. Should be veg friendly though!

 

I had an R reg Saab 95 and it was brilliant. 2.3 manual and was fantastically quick with a £70 remap. I sold it because I didn't trust myself not to stack it and and end up a pulped mess. Still miss it now.

[Durham850]

Agree that estates are more popular than saloons but my thinking is if I decide to let it go it's surely worth £300 of anyone's hard earned, that's if I find a saab that I want

[CreepingJesus]

I'd be keeping that until it actually dissolved if I were you.

[Durham850]

I know but I bought it nearly 2 years ago to drive until it died and it just won't die and believe me I've tried, I really have

[Ghosty]

Keep trying then!