1996 Volvo 850 Road Test

Time Capsule Classic - 52k Mile 1996 Volvo 850 Sedan - Excellent Ownership

Where can you find a usable, reliable and affordable European classic with front & side-impact airbags, ABS brakes and the practicality of 4-place adult seating, a big trunk and front-wheel drive? Where is the Goldilocks European classic that you can drive every day without hesitation? Where is the classic your teen can safely drive? You've found it.

This Volvo 850 is a great opportunity to get into a unique and tasteful car without the headaches or high-entry costs associated with European classic ownership. These 800-series Volvos are famously durable, safe, comfortable and easy to own... should you find a good example.

Volvos of this era are uniquely well built, with hot-dipped galvanized bodies that resist corrosion and drivelines that were made to last 500k miles. A low-mileage 850 can be driven year-round for years to come. A stable and predictable front-wheel drive chassis makes this a great all-weather classic. Own it, use it and enjoy it whenever the opportunity arises. They are not difficult to service and parts are readily available throughout North America.

Highly original, well-preserved and presentable. The Volvo 850 you see here is highly original with original paint, interior, engine, transaxle and wheels. There is no evidence of anything other than minor scrapes and no major crash damage. All of the glass is original including the headlights and windshield!

This car is owned by vintage collector and seasoned classic mechanic, Ike Kitman. Low ownership and good service history are good indicators of a quality classic. This car has both. This is a low-mileage example that has been used regularly and maintained to a high-standard. It has had only 3 owners from new. The initial owner kept the car for the first 26 years!

Largely original and well preserved, this 850 sedan is not free of imperfections in the body or interior, but the overall presentation is very good. The emerald green metallic paint shows very well with only a limited number of notable scrapes and scratches. The light beige leather interior and contrasting wood trim are very presentable with minimal scuffs and only a handful of minor imperfections.

Having spent a few hours behind the wheel, I can attest to the quality and drivability of this classic Volvo. I used this car for an entire day without issue; driving through stop and go traffic in the morning and down country lanes at night with a mix of highway in-between. The 20-valve 2.5l 5-cylinder would appear to have all 168hp that it left the factory with. The 4-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly. The car rides very well around town and on the highway with a smooth, comfortable and controlled ride. The car turns and brakes well with excellent feedback and an overall relaxed and predictable demeanor.

The overall presentation, condition and functionality of this car are what you would expect from a good car of this age and mileage. The Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires have a 2021 date-code and have more than 50% tread-depth, all maintenance is up to date and the motor starts without hesitation. Leather seating, seat heaters, cruise control and optional hi-fi stereo make it feel a little more special. Welcome to your ideal everyday practical European classic.

This car is available to view in Nyack, NY. Sold with a clean New Jersey title. Please request a link to view additional photos. Ask about transportation, nationally or abroad. If you'd like to chat about this Volvo or your looking for something else, please don't hesitate to message me.

I look forward to speaking with you. Jon @ paddock dot club