1996 850 R unbeliveable!!

Sorry to those who thought I was going to wax lyrical about the performance
of these cars.......I'm not. What I find unbelievable is that this was the
last year they made the 850 and the glove box catch is still the same crap
that was on the 1992 models. Did the penny not drop at Volvo? This car cost
about £32,000 when new and they still fitted a cheap nasty die cast part
that breaks.

I can only assume that the man? that designed this part was not
married.......A working glove box is the only thing on a car that keeps the
wife happy.

I feel better after that rant!!

ttfn.....Alistair

 

Hi Alistair

The 1996 850 was not the last model year as witness my 1997 850 AWD
stick-shift wagon. Both my wife and I are very happy with the (still)
working glovebox.
Research at Cambridge U. seems to be no longer what it was.

Andy I.

: Sorry to those who thought I was going to wax lyrical about the
performance
: of these cars.......I'm not. What I find unbelievable is that this was the
: last year they made the 850 and the glove box catch is still the same crap
: that was on the 1992 models. Did the penny not drop at Volvo? This car
cost
: about £32,000 when new and they still fitted a cheap nasty die cast part
: that breaks.
:
: I can only assume that the man? that designed this part was not
: married.......A working glove box is the only thing on a car that keeps
the
: wife happy.
:
: I feel better after that rant!!
:
: ttfn.....Alistair
:
:
:

 

I, too have a '97 850 but it's a non-turbo 2WD. My glove box, opened
and closed about twice a day, works just fine. In all other respects,
I am quite satisfied with this vehicle.

Chuck Fiedler
Nothing but Volvo since 1974

 

Help me understand why you are all worked up about parts on 16 and 12
year old cars eventually breaking. Especially a small part that
usually gets slammed shut on an overstuffed glove box.

 

Maybe because, when it happens, it's a royal pain in the arse to sort
out?

After hearing all of the horror stories, I printed a little sign that
says

'Please open
carefully'

and stuck it right on the handle. It might not be very elegant but I
surely don't fancy the prospect of going in with a hacksaw blade, etc.,
if somebody breaks it.

cheers,

Henry

 

Old parts that are frequently used and misused eventually break. Just
replace it after 16 years.

 

Does it really break often? I've never replaced a glove box latch in a 240
or 740. Those cars each have their own quirks though, they should have
teamed with Rubbermaide to make the parking brake cover and door pockets on
the 240s, and the headliner on the 740s leaves much to be desired. I still
love the cars though.

 

Apparently ... yes. It seems to be one of those 'known problems' with
the 850s, along with the electric seat adjustment cables, and the
windscreen wiper, and the (automatic transmission) shifter cut-out, and
....

I like my '95 850T too and, in fact, I've 'babied' it (presently less
than 50K miles) -- but, things can and do go wrong, even in Volvoland.

cheers,

Henry