[seabas3295]

I'm looking into getting an older 850 wagon. I have always liked them but have always stayed away because of possible maintenance costs. How much more does it cost to maintain vs the average car? (I currently have a 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee)
How much cheaper is a GLT (non turbo) to maintain? Or is it? What are some red flags to watch out for?

 

[DVolvoguy777]

An American vehicle will always be less expencive to maintain for sure. But This model isnt too bad. There are some issues to look for on our cars:

Bad rear main seal.
ABS/TRACS module.
Aircondition Evaporator.
Engine air pump (smog pump)

These are the main high cost items that can go bad on our cars and can be spendy to repair.

If you get one they are fun cars for sure.

 

[sgmlaw]

Re: maintenance costs (seabas3295)

Done right, you should change out the fluids on these more regularly than you might on a domestic. And they can go through some other consumables more frequently than average. So they can be more expensive to maintain.

But, weighing the total cost of ownership, which would include both maintenance and repairs, owning a later production 850 may not be that much more expensive than a domestic of similar age and mileage at this point. 850s are generally pretty sturdy right on down to the little bits - if you take care of them - which is more than I can say for many ten-year-old domestics.