Used 1997 Volvo 850 Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used 850 for sale
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Great Car
nuffsaid1, 08/08/2009
1997 Volvo 850 T5 Turbo 4dr Wagon
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for 12 years and it has been fun to drive gets good gas mileage and is very fast. The seats are fantastic and the stereo is very good. I have had one incident and that is the ABS light comes on. The first time it happened was in the first year of ownership and no cost to me (dealer cost $1000). It occurred again this year and I found a guy on the internet who fixed it for $50. I love this car. Find a good Volvo mechanic and save yourself a lot of money
Great drive; nightmare A/C
Cat, 10/02/2010
1997 Volvo 850 GLT Turbo 4dr Wagon
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Got a great deal on this used car -- below Blue Book -- and it has definitely been worth the money. Has always driven great for me; very comfortable (long as you're sitting in the front seat); great power. But I have spent far too much in recent years on what apparently is an unfixable freon leak; a black car w/o AC is unendurable in Florida summers, & the problem is getting worse. Other problems piling up now: elusive, stubborn oil leak has also cost money for several years, hinge on front passenger door broke; cupholder broke, sunroof broke; outside trim coming off; electrical short stops dash lights/turning signal from working. Odometer broke last year at 123K; time to trade this one in.
Most unreliable car we have owned
cvstan, 08/03/2002
1997 Volvo 850 GLT Turbo 4dr Wagon
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This car is a big disappointment. Dealer had good reputation and all signs pointed to a good ownership experience. Wrong! Stuck on the side of the raod twice. Alternator failed. Transmission computer failed. Air pump failed. Brakes squeal!!! Battery failed without warning. AC failed at least twice. Somehow refrigerant got out of the AC system without there being a leak. Right. Dealer service is expensive etc. etc. BMWs have been much more reliable. Old Volvos deserve their good reputation; this one does not.
Fast roomy wagon but lots of problems
dna, 02/11/2004
1997 Volvo 850 T5 Turbo 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Volvo wagon is unique. Lots of power and room but lots of mechanical problems too. It has cost $4500 in repairs to keep it going 75,000 miles so far and that does not include the $1200 quoted for replacing the AC evaporator. I might sell the car if I can't find a better price for the AC repair.
Lots of trouble
Walrus, 10/11/2002
1997 Volvo 850 GLT Turbo 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The quality of this vehicle has been extraordinarly low. Lightbulbs go out constantly. The headlight switch went at 18,000 miles. The exterior side trim on both sides has become loose and munched by door opening three times now. The tensioner on the main engine belt has been a major problem - during wet weather, the alternator spins down and we lose power steering! We bought this car for it's reputation of being safe and reliable - it has been a nightmare. We'll never buy another volvo.
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