Which 850 would you recommend for mileage

I might be starting a new job and need a commuter car. Sure, I could by a Micra or something but I won't. So, I would like a Volvo but my main concern is the fuel consumption. What is the 850 like on the various engines? I will be doing about 20000 miles a year, any recommendations?

I need an auto box so that is one limitation.

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1995 Volvo 945 LPT Auto +170k
1991 Volvo 945 GL Auto +150k
1989 Volvo 765 Turbo Auto +150k
1988 Volvo 745 GL +220k

if your main concerns fuel costs then a 850 is hardly an ideal commuter is it? it will be no better than any of your other volvos so why bother, the micra would make more sense

[sholtby]

Your best option would be a TDI which should return 40+ mpg. The petrol engined cars all seem to return the same mpg ie between 20 to 30 mpg, even the T5! I suppose a non turbo car will be more reliable as there are fewer parts to go wrong. However the T5 is still a reliable car and more fun. A 2.5 20v non turbo would probably be the best petrol car.
I'd go for a manual if you can, they are better than autos for numerous reasons but perhaps the most important is reliability.
Look for high spec cars ie leather, climate etc.

Simon

[DieselDoNicely]

Micra is great until some truck crosses the cental reservation or runs up your backside, then youll wish you bought a Volvo 850 or V70.

If your doing a lot of miles, you cant beat metal work.

DDN

[cootuk]

A diesel would give good economy but everyone is after them.
Petrol engines cruising at speed would give high 20s, low 30s.

It all depends what your budget is.
Remember you would also need at least 2 services a year, along with tyres etc.

Also 850s are getting old now. The last year was 1997 so most are starting to put on the miles anyway.
I would be tempted to pick up an ex-fleet mondeo/focus or such-like.

[dan_burdock]

I do about 15,000 a year and did run a T5R it was costing a bomb about 18 to 23 mpg, I now run an M reg mondeo that cost me £250 to work and back average about 34-44 mpg. Tyres are around £24 rather than £124 jut had belts changed £60. I now drive the T5R at weekends.
Dan

I'm lucky. I live in a very rural area....gridlock is one of the local farmers driving sheep down the lanes to a fresh field....and the current average according to the computer is 33.4 mpg (and it's been chilly). Car is rarely under 40 mph.

Driving in town does lower that average though, but even still, it never drops below 31 mpg.

Having a light foot is essential.

(850GLT, 2.0 L, 20 Valve automatic, 147,000m)

Bob

Hi

I agree with Bob, I also live in a rural area and yes there are more sheep at rush hour than cars!

I also have a 93 850 GLT auto and regularly get 32-34 mpg on trips to and from work. It is a comfortable and assuring car for the 48 mile round trip.

If you are forseeing high miles then work out you budget and include lots of oil changes. Also consider how long you will own your car, ie 3 years is 60,000 miles. Is a micra up to this??
Matt

31 mpg around town, from a two litre car, weight around a ton and a half and an auto to boot, as the good capt mainwarring might say your in the realms of fantasy bob

31mpg around town is optimistic, if I am sitting in traffic I get 24-25 mpg, that is idling in traffic. In a small rural town I am able to keep moving and fuel consumption can be around 28mpg. Better MPG is achieved on the dual-carriageway to work at 60mph.

I also have just replaced two front tyres, 155 quid at the local ATS, balanced and fitted. This was minus the tracking as their free check said it was good.

Turbocharged engines consume huge amounts of fuel except at idle but, hey, where is the fun in sitting in traffic? You enjoy high performance, you pay for it and the tires. We all pay road-tax!

Hope our topic initiator makes his own mind up.
Matt