Hello,

I currently have a '97 Volvo 850 GLT. I am a college student who has this car for years, and bought it from my uncle for pretty much nothing when it had 104,000. The odometer hasn't worked since I've got it, 4 years ago...lol. So we guess there's about 150k miles on it. I have loved this car, and it's made me appreciate Volvo from being a old man car, to something beyond. (as being a high schooler who loved cars, Volvo wasn't my first pick for a car but now it's my first pick for a new car).

I've been making a lot more money at my job, and I've decided that it's time to possibly let the car to go my sister or trade in. It currently needs new front brakes, new leather on driver seat (large hole was once a small hole), check engine light is on due to back oxygen sensor, the window seal that runs along the top is worn and has to be taped down, and I've been experiencing electrical issues. (AC shuts off, then turns back on, car tells me the back turn signal/back tail light goes out, flickers, due to loose wires). The timing belt has not ever been replaced.. which I'm guessing at any moment will need to be.
All together, it would be enough to put a down payment on a newer Volvo.

As I said, being a college student, money doesn't grow on trees. Volvo's are typically expensive to repair depending what breaks. I have been searching for Volvos, Subarus, Hondas, Toyotas, Audis that have less than 100k, less than $10k. Out of the six matches (not too many Volvos in Indiana...) I have found one that's a perfect match, a 2005 Volvo T5. The only thing I didn't like about it compared to my GLT was the sunroof, and dual climate. It has 83k miles on it.

My question is coming from a '97 850 GLT to a '05 V50 T5, is there things I should be looking at. Would it be worth going with? What types of things should I consider when looking at the V50?

From what it sounds like from motortrend, KBB, and Edmunds is that the V50 gets better mileage, the T5 runs smooth, and has more power then my GLT, and that it being a station wagon gives more space. On the flip side, some of the issues; electrical wiring, a/c going out, are things that my 850 faced. I was curious if anyone had any advice!

 

Hee hee, your honesty in describing your current ride is commendable, but not very salesman-like. Anything you get from the 850 is politeness. I hope you don't "gift" this to your sister unless she's an antique car hobbiest like my sister that LIKES bringing 17 year old cars back from the grave.

Personally, I would not want a ten year old turbo car, but many are bought. As a bottom feeder myself, my rule of thumb is that any used car at the price I'm interested in paying will require at least another $1000 of repairs to bring it up to full operation. You would immediately need to put a timing belt in, for clock age, not necessarily mileage. You will also need a new battery (clean the clamps & posts!) for the same reason. Volvos are VERY sensitive to bad power supplies.

>>> If <<< your target ride has had >>> regular <<< oil changes, you are probably all right mechanically. If the car has avoided an air-bag level collision, you are probably OK electrically, aside from the battery question.