1998 Camry vs 1996/97 Volvo 850 safety?

[jazkillingjoke]

Hi

I am looking for a used car, it will have to be very safe, I can't afford much right now like $3500, the car will have to last 3 years, then I will have my home paid off and more money for a better ride.
For what I can afford, I can get years 1996-1998 for the most part. I have been checking all the sites about safety (IIHS, safercar.gov...). I have eliminated the honda odyssey minivan only because of purchase cost and low gas mileage as it is an extremely safe ride.
I also eliminated the affordable Ford Taurus, I don't think it is as safe as the Camry or volvo 850.
I haven't looked into the Volkswagen but I hear they do well with safety.
My 2 prime picks for safety in my price range are the Toyota Camry 1998 and the 1996/1997 Volvo 850.
Why the Camry 1998, because it was the first year with optional side air bags, same with the volvo 850. The camry with a 4 cylinder will be cheaper on gas, which suits me, but the 5 cylinder volvo 850 shouldn't be much more, like a Ford Taurus it seems.
I do understand this is a Toyota forum, and please do not get insulted by me comparing the camry to the volvo 850.
I just need a safe ride and they both qualify in my price range. They both also can take high mileage for the most part I believe (+200K).

So if you know your cars I would appreciate your unbiased opinion on these 2 cars as far as safety first and then the rest, other suggestions welcome too in my price range.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

[ECale3]

We've seen lots of pictures on here of people wrecking/wrapping their camry's around trees with the owners living to tell the tale, often with relatively minor injuries.

[jazkillingjoke]

Hi

Camry's do score well on safety sites, but so do volvo's 850 so that's why I was asking.

Thanks for your help

Patrick

[95WhiteCamry]

personally i prefer the styling of the 850 to the camry. the 850 is a bit of a harsher ride, though. it's electronics have a tendency to go south and the car develops random rattles over time. nevertheless, it's an amazing car.

i drove both and the 850 feels slightly heavier than the camry but has more of a punch when you hit the gas.

about your budget, do know that when you buy an old car, expect to put in about 500-1000 for maintenance to keep it running for long.

[jazkillingjoke]

Originally Posted by 95WhiteCamry

personally i prefer the styling of the 850 to the camry. the 850 is a bit of a harsher ride, though. it's electronics have a tendency to go south and the car develops random rattles over time. nevertheless, it's an amazing car.

i drove both and the 850 feels slightly heavier than the camry but has more of a punch when you hit the gas.

about your budget, do know that when you buy an old car, expect to put in about 500-1000 for maintenance to keep it running for long.

Yes I do prefer the look of the volvo over the camry too. I learned that 1997 Volvo 850 electronics do go south and to get a 1996 as it has less electronics.

I am ready for repair cost, I can stomach them within limits of course my current Ford escort just cost me $450 and is a 1997 so it's going to have repairs too so i might as well be in a safer car.

Any more infos on these 2 rides especially as far as safety goes are welcome!

Thanks for the reply

Patrick

[eurohazard]

"Safety" is a real broad word. I am assuming you want overall safety, being able to avoid an accident first, but if unable to, have a good chance of survivability.

The Volvo's floor/leg space isn't too good in offset crashes.....generally regarded as the most common crashes in America. But Volvo does a fine job controlling head movement. http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sa...olvo&model=850

The Gen 4 Camry is no slouch in saftey, as the floor/leg space after a crash is better than the Volvo. However, the head control isn't too swell. In a car accident, it would suck to bash the back of your head against the door pillar and seatbelt anchor. But then again, any accident sucks......and every one is different. http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sa...ta&model=Camry

If any of these cars gets T-boned by an F-450 4x4 at 40 mph, someone's going to die in all probability. (and not the truck's passengers)

[jazkillingjoke]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

"Safety" is a real broad word. I am assuming you want overall safety, being able to avoid an accident first, but if unable to, have a good chance of survivability.

If any of these cars gets T-boned by an F-450 4x4 at 40 mph, someone's going to die in all probability. (and not the truck's passengers)

Eurohazard

I appreciate the answer. Indeed I am talking about protection when you are no more in control of what is happening. I am a safe driver, I usually don't go over 5 miles over the speed limit, unless I really become a danger then I adjust my speed to the traffic like on the highway where some speed limits are laughable.

Your F-450 T-bone example gave me the chills but it's right on the money.
I still think I am better off in a 98 camry or 97 Volvo 850 when getting T-boned by a truck than in my current Ford escort.

Thanks for the answer

Anybody else want to throw their 2 cents in?

Patrick

['00 V-6 Camry]

hi, my 2 cents about this are my wifes grandma had a '97 850. she loved it, but it had so many problems she couldn't handle it. it was at the dealership 4 monthes out of a year and cost 9800 dollars. she finally gave up on it and got a 2007 s80 (which is sweet ) but those are facts from that side. as for camrys i love my 00 v6 5 speed and i think you will find if you run in to small to medium problems we're here to help

[jazkillingjoke]

JJJ & Floridaboy

I witnessed the result of a deadly crash in front of my sub-division here in Atlanta on Christmas eve. An old Buick (No bags) lost control at 80mph (Per several witness), it T-Boned a Ford Mustang, they both went down a ravine.
The 2 in front of the Buick died, the passenger in the back walked away. The 2 in front of the Mustang got injured, 1 taken in ambulance, 1 pregnant lady air lifted by helicopter, scary stuff (Don't know if they made it).
When I saw the Buick upside down and the front crushed flat, I knew there were fatalities. It just scared the hell out of me. I like to think that those 2 in the Buick didn't die in vain, they made a family (Mine) aware to get a safer ride.
I wish I could have helped them but it was too late.

You can read it here (Hurry it won't be there long):

http://www.11alive.com/news/article_...storyid=108529

Notes:I was there I can tell you the pregnant woman was in the Ford mustang not the Buick. Also the Buick T-boned the mustang not the other way around, other than that the story is accurate.


Floridaboy I keep getting bad feedback about the volvo's high maintenance cost, I am going to probably steer clear of them.
The toyota camry is starting to look good.

Thanks again and keep them coming guys

Patrick

['00 V-6 Camry]

oh and another thing my wife just said grandma lost her key once it was 300 dollars agh crazy i miss placed mine and i call the dealership to see how much it would be the guy said he would help me out because i alway went there and it would be free toyota people stick together

[mtmx46]

Hi Patrick:

I don't think you're too out of line with either of those cars. I've always loved the 850's. I drove one for a little while when I worked at a Suby/Volvo dealership. Now what I found is that the base five cylinder Volvo is a little slow off the line, but if you give it more throttle it will do just fine for normal drivers like you and me.

And you're leaning towards the four cylinder Camry which is a good choice, but don't discount the six cylinder version. For the market price of a Volvo, a six cylinder Camry might just be close enough to accommodate your budget.

Subjectively: the 850's rugged appearance always appealed to me but now that we are into 2008, I'm not sure if the square jawed slab-sided look appeals to me anymore. I find I like my 1996's looks much more. Very smooth and organic, even as a base four banger with no fancy wheels or mods.

Maintenance: I think the Camry wins hands down; four or six, for both parts and labour. But your wallet will dictate that. I just know that you don't want to get into repairs with a Volvo. A Camry on the other hand, unless it came from the wrecking yard after having being street raced for 100 km, is a safe bet.

Happy 96 Camry owner

Matt

[jazkillingjoke]

Matt

I really appreciate the answer. It's all starting to make sense, I keep hearing the same about the Volvo high maintenance cost.
The camry keeps looking better and better, I just hope I can find one within my budget with driver side airbag which I really want.
I know how you feel about liking a car (The volvo square look) and not liking it anymore later on.
9 years ago when I bought my Ford escort I was drooling at the car dealership at Dodge intrepids. Now I look at them and barely could see myself drive one.
Tastes do change over time nothing wrong with that.

Thanks again

Patrick