1992 Volvo 960 consumer reviews

Excellent stationwagon, with very smoothe ride even after 320.000 miles. Very few faults. Volvo quality. DO NOT exceed cam-belt service, very important

I have a 1992 Volvo 960 sedan with 216K+ miles. The dark red paint has faded, and there is the beginnings of very small rust spots on the trunk below the tailights. The leather has some splits, but the dash is fine and all of the electrics (other than the heated seats) work. My wife has a Jaguar XJ-6, and we often comment that while her car is designed, my Volvo 960 is engineered. The difference is mine is a boxy, rather bland looking car that handles precisely, has great acceleration and braking, tracks strait through ice and snow, and has every switch where you think it should be. It starts every time. It warms up quickly and the rear window defroster bakes off a good layer of ice in 5 minutes or less. But sexy, it ain't. You can tell this car was built by "gearheads." The manual cautions not to exceed 3000 RPM until the clicking noise stops in the engine (related to the valves... it goes away after it warms up). Few manufacturers would trust their owners to manage the engine so carefully. Few buyers would think that a car with an RPM limit until a sound disappears would be worth 34K 1992 dollars... My costs has centered on the Air Conditioning (basically, I replaced everything piecemeal over two years) and a yet-to-be fully resolved fuel interruption in high ambient temperatures. The power steering pumb had to be replaced at about 210K. No big deal. Also, the warning lights sometimes don't work (especially when the temp is above 70F). The saving grace is the system fault makes the "W" transmision light come on if any of the warning lights is powered, so I have an indication of some issue that needs attention. The biggest bugaboo is the timing belt. Heed the advice to change the timing belt on schedule. To fail to do so can mean a broken belt and a trashed engine. I change mine every 35K or so, about half the recommended value. For the price, it's a great car.... my only complaint...it's just too boring for words.