Huge space - how did they do it? I've moved from a W124 Mercedes E320 and I thought that was a great load carrier but this beats it. Great all round visibility too. Major safety feeling on board... have you noticed how the SIPS sticker reminds you of this every time you look in the rear view mirror 'cause it reads right way round? Cleverrrrrr... A great workhorse and load swallower, all at a very affordable price.
I now look at Volvos in a new, and very positive, light.

Comfortable, long legged work horse that enables me to take kids to and uni with all their kit. Any estate car that has done 174,000 miles and is still going strong has to be a great car.

I have owned by 96 Volvo 850 2.5 manual over 2 years now. No problems worth reporting. I have the 20v model which by all accounts is far better than the 10 valve version. I would thoroughly recommend this version as a family car purchase.

I have had my 2nd hand Volvo 850 2.5l estate car on an M plate 1995 for 10 months now.
It has quite a few extras, leather, dual air con, wood trim elec win and mirrors.
I am thoroughly pleased woth it. It has done 120k miles, and still purrs like a kitten. The drive is smoother than my old merc 190, and the build quality is slightly better. It passed its mot with only a tyre replacement needed.
It is auto box and has enough kick to make overtacking safe and confident. And of course if you stick your nose out in busy traffic people just have to stop!
This is my 2nd the last being a 960 which i only replaced so to get the luvury extras. I recommend volvo's of any age.