I had been looking for a 99 or 2000 V70, but I came across this car which I picked up earlier this summer, it’s a 97 855 SE – N/A, automatic, leather, tracs, fog lamps, sc 815, child booster, rear spoiler, and whatever else you notice that I didn’t mention.

Initially, I understood the car to be a parts donor, also coming with a set of turbo columbia’s and a set of snows on steels. I also have an 854, and having a parts 850 didn’t seem like a terrible idea. When I went to look at it, I was surprised by the condition it was in, it had been off the road, and sitting in a garage for a while, but it was pretty clean. I got it running with the help of my booster pack, and took it around the block, using the booster pack as the battery. The brakes were dragging pretty badly from all the rust, and they felt pretty soft, so I didn’t push my luck trying to see if I could get it into overdrive. I bought it. I went back later with a spare battery and drove it the 20 kilometres home.

After washing it and cleaning it out I decided it was worthy of a few repairs to get it back on the road. I found the dealer maintenance book, and it was dealer serviced and stamped all the way along. I found receipts for replacement of all the dash lamps, new AC compressor, evaporator, and lines from summer 07, new suspension parts, timing belt job done 20k ago, new engine mounts… I even found an emissions test that was still valid, I used it when I registered the car.

Repair wise: I spent a weekend and took the brakes apart, found that the pads were newer, but the rotors were warped and pretty worn. The rear end was the same story, but the rotors were in decent shape. I had the rears turned, and bought new front rotors. Had to replace the E-brake pads (linings separated) and cables – anyone who has done e-brake cables on an 850 knows what a pain it is – however, when I got the carpet up I found almost 20 bucks in quarters and dollar coins. One sway bar link was toast, so I popped a new one of them on. Welded up a broken exhaust hanger. And the biggest pain - one front wheel lug was broken off in the hub, I pulled the hub, drilled and tapped the hole and got it back together. All in all, I would guess I spent about $500 on parts.

When I took it in for a safety inspection I didn’t know what to expect, but it passed with a note that I needed to inflate the spare tire, and replace a license plate light bulb.

After driving it locally for a few weeks and making sure it wasn’t a POS. I decided I would pull the intake and check the PCV box. I cleaned the box out, replaced a couple of elbows, and that was that. It was at this point I decided it would get a run to the east coast, as my wife and I were headed off for a multi week trip to Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia – Cape Breton, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and back to Ontario. 9000kms later we made it back. Had a great time, and other than a wiper issue in Quebec, the car was great.

Out of hibernation - the P.O's place:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/Picture177.jpg)

Home and cleaned up:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/Picture185.jpg)

On the way into Quebec City: Wiper linkage fell off the motor. A quick stop in the rain :| and it was back together. Later on during the trip I replaced the Volvo nut and washer with a nylock type nut:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding066.jpg)

Advocate Nova Scotia:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding105copy.jpg)

Ingonish Cape Breton:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding144.jpg)

Cabot Trail - there were a few downhills that had the brakes smoking!
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding161.jpg)

Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding017.jpg)

Bay of Fundy:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding018.jpg)

Bluth action on the interstate in NH:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/East%20Coast%2008/wedding055.jpg)

Since the trip the door check rod - thing that holds the door open has broken on the passenger side front. The lamda also came on with po172 - same one my other 850 spits out. Otherwise, it is a great driver.

Great story and nice looking wagon.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who goes on vacation and takes pictures of my car along the way.

Wow! It sure looks like you found yourself a pretty remarkable deal.

However, just reading between the lines, it seems like you know what you're doing around 850's. Good luck and happy motoring.
:beer:

P.S. I couldn't help but admire the lovely scenery in the photos you provided. I'll have to go and do a trip over here in Aussie now to show you all what a beautiful spot it is too.
:thumbsup:

Like Volgrrr, you now are making me jealous too!
I think the coming trip back to my parents (some 300kms away), i'll make many stops to take photos and share too!
:haha:

Btw, that is one really cool deal you got for the sweet looking ride. And having already owned an 854 before, you know that Volvos are just great at cruising, eh?

Cool, dude.

Feel free to share with us, any other experience you have. Either from repairs, etc.

Thanks!



P/s: Many thanks for the photos, too. I'm saving the one at Cabot Trail.
:banana:

If you showed that photo to an Australian, many would probably think the photo was taken on the road winding down into Wilson's Promontory (which juts out from the south eastern extremity of Australia) however, an astute observer would soon realise the photo was taken somewhere outside Australia because the Volvo is being driven on the opposite side of the road to which Australians drive on.

Thanks for the replies! The car worked out well, much better than using it for parts!

The trip was a great time, the photos of the car don't come close to some of the scenery I saw along the way though. Funny comments about taking pictures of the car, I never really thought about it before - maybe I look like a wacko to other tourists?



They are great at crusing. That is primarily why I bought this car. Get it up to speed, set the cruise control and drive. The seats are comfy, the gas stops are infrequent - ideal!

Cheers.

Will upload mine after we go for the trip end of this month.

855 and the S40 go camping. The roof box and bars are dealer items I picked up, I know its already wagon, but the added space in the box is great!

Tobermory Ontario:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/wedding2000.jpg)

Stopped at the Beach:
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/wedding233.jpg)

Lake Huron Shoreline (newer twin?):
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/wedding229.jpg)
(IMG:http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h272/70140/Volvo%20Stuff/wedding222.jpg)

Now, i'm jealous... Now, i'm REAAAALLLLY jealous...
:haha:


Who's the OTHER 855, you almost dubbed 'twin'...?
:P

The S40 belongs to a friend. The silver V70 was parked along the side of the road. We were looking for a spot to park and go down to the sand, and I came across that car parked along the shoulder. Had to get a photo :) I was jealous, as the V70 had a manual trans in it.

There is a silver 99 V70 T5 manual trans car for sale locally right now. I am trying to think of a good reason to get another car...

I've got a couple of good reasons. 1) You don't have it; 2) You want it. That should settle it for you.