Barge hunt Volvo 960 vc 850 estates

[drivin_me_nuts]

First post on here chaps.

I'm after a barge for a few months. Nothing special, just need a long MOT and something that can carry a lot of stuff.

So i've seen a few barges. 850's on 2-300k and 940's on 200k all around the £500 to £800 mark. The thing is... the 940 is tempting, bargious maximus @ 3 litre auto and 12 months MOT etc, sheaf of bills and all belts changed as required. 850, 100k more miles (300k) and £200 less.

Obviously the 960's a lot larger and rwd.

Given a choice between that appear to be 2 straight cars with reasonable cared for histories, do either of them shout don't do it!. Which would be the better bet?( because I realise at these prices, mileages and ages it's all about bets)?

[cptsideways]

Also worth looking for are the rare V90 a 960 with the looks of a V70 & nicer interior & rwd of course. V70's are also based on the 850 platform & are just a bit nicer cars overall.

Nice 960's are wonderful cars, there's no French made bits to go wrong in them unlike the 850/V70's !

[morgrp]

Both great the 850 is a far sharper machine and the 5cylinder lump is an absolute gem of an engine - go for a 2.0 20v for the noise - they love having the tits revved off them or the 2.5 10v for torque, or the T5 if you're a nutter

960's feel heavy and do lumber around the road more but are super tough and comfy - has exact same engine as the 850 but with an extra cylinder - watch the cambelts on them though the early models loved to snap them - I recommend 40k changes for both cars despite Volvo suggesting 60k

[drivin_me_nuts]

Are they capabale of mega miles with regular servicing - i'm talking around 400k +

[cpas]

Test drive examples of both models - but I have found the 740s far less drivable than the 850s. The 850 feels far more taught, and the 740 a bit like a barge with no feeling!