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NEW CAR REVIEW

A Fulmer family review

by

Dave Fulmer, retired TV writer/director, classic car restorer

Mark Fulmer, Editor In Chief, The Auto Channel

Susan Fulmer, School Counselor

Kathleen Fulmer, 8th grade student

Volvo gif

SEE ALSO: Volvo Buyer's Guide

Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon 222 hp, Turbocharged and Intercooled engine 4-speed Automatic transmission 16 in. Alloy wheels; high performance tires Dual Zone Electronic Climate Control Leather-wrapped steering wheel Trip computer Power glass sunroof with slide and tilt positions and sliding sunshade 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with 3-position memory Premium Sound System; 100-watt amplifier, eight speakers Security system Remote keyless entry Alloy wheels

Mark: The Volvo wagon has a deceptive appearance to me. It seems to bo a normal sized wagon on the outside, but on the inside it felt much roomier than I expected.

Dave: The exterior look is very compact. I like the lines. It still has a squareness to it that I thought Volvo was trying to get away from, but it doesn't bother me at all. It's a very functional-looking box. Susan: It looks very much as I expected, but I didn't expect the knob symbols and placement of the dials on the dashboard.

Dave: I think their overdrive button is in a very inconvenient place.

Kathleen: But the seats are very cool. I like the black leather, and since I like to sleep a lot in the car, they seemed perfect for that.

Mark: The heater option for the front seats is not something I would have thought was all that needed, but trying it out one foggy cold morning, I was very pleasently surprised. Also on a long highway drive, heat applied to the lower back is very nice, indeed.

Susan: Definately. Very good option.

Dave: As an old Volvo driver, by that I mean someone who drives old Volvos, this is a very impressive beast. I see many of the familier signs, but I don't know if I woke up suddenly inside it that I would know I was in a Volvo.

Mark: When it comes to performance, I quickly forgot that I was in a wagon. The road feel and acceleration of the Turbo was crisp and clean.

Dave: I can see why they're excited about the performance because the Turbo really gives it a real kick in the butt. The braking is typically Volvo-engineered. You have a real feeling of security and solidity. You feel that you're being well taken care of.

Susan: Driving a carload of teenagers home from school was no problem at all.

Mark: You mean they actually could decide on a radio station?

Kathleen: Oh Dad. (sigh)