Test drove a S70 T-5 1998 5 Speed, looking for your thoughts

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 31 Jan 2010, 19:48

Drove this car with a view to buying it and I'm in two minds. I fear it could turn into a moneypit. Dont get me wrong, I'm not averse to wrenching and doing repairs, but I dont want to endup spending a fortune just to keep her running.

T5 hauls pretty nice with the 5speed that's for sure. Motor developed a fairly loud tick after we drove it though. Seemed to be coming from the top end, but was pretty loud so it didn't seem like a lifter. Needs a clutch, maybe flywheel as well and theres a little pressure in the PCV system. I think I would be rolling the dice on this one at 225K, I'm not sure how well the last owner took care of it. I made an offer, so we'll see where it goes. Here's a list of what I observed, just wondering what range you would think of offering for a car like this, or if you'd simply walk away. Only reason I'm still interested is because its a 5speed.

1998 S80 T-5, 225K miles, 5Speed

Good
Recently replaced balljoints, tierods and driveshaft
Transmission seems to change well, no whines or grinds.
Turbo doesnt appear to be burning oil yet
Body is OK, had a dent in one of the panels.
New/almost new tires &brakes.
Clean autocheck, no accidents
Suspension seems OK, struts arent 100% but its verymuch drivable.
No obvious signs of sludge under oil filler cap
Blower motor seems to be OK, heat worked.

Bad
Interior is tatty, grimey and generally not taken good care of.
Sunroof not working, other.
Some electric functions on the driver seat not working
Motor mount(s) need to be replaced. Clunk\thud when accelerating.
Cracked windshield
Tick from top end of motor, near transmission end after driving
Some pressure from PCV (Checked via oil filler hole)
Timing belt age not known
Clutch noise when moving off. Not throw out bearing. Doesn't seem to slip under pressure however.
TRACS\ABS Intermittant.

What do you think guys, is she worth trying to save?

Post by **cattledog** » 31 Jan 2010, 19:51

What are they asking for the car?

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Jan 2010, 20:54

$1200-1300 is the very highest I would go for it, because it needs so much work.

Honestly, I'd walk away from it myself. But that's me and I don't have the time and money to spend on a needy car at this point in my life. Mine's a good car, and has always been well taken care of, but it's really starting to get on my nerves lately with some of the little things that keep going wrong with it. A sensor here, brakes here, switch there...it really adds up after a few repairs. Unless you like the idea of a project car and definitely have the money to spend on it. Yeah, it's a 5-speed T5, but...that's a lot of work...and even for a Volvo, that's a lot of miles and more things are going to start going wrong with it besides what already has.

If you're up to it, you can always buy a nice T5 and swap a manual into it yourself later

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 31 Jan 2010, 21:11

cattledog wrote:What are they asking for the car?

$2500. Balljoints were done along with tierods, brakes and tires.

jablackburn wrote: $1200-1300 is the very highest I would go for it, because it needs so much work.

I offered $1700, but even at that I'm uneasy, I don't need another project car right now. By that I mean something that will spend extended periods of time off the road.

jablackburn wrote: If you're up to it, you can always buy a nice T5 and swap a manual into it yourself later

That thought has crossed my mind., it might actually be less work

. Buy a nice T5, or even just a 2.3T and do a manual swap over a long weekend. I came across a stickied thread for this on a forum\website, but I cant remember where or what computer I was sitting at when I saw it.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 01 Feb 2010, 01:20

Double-check the Carfax. I just found their information sources don't quite overlap with AutoCheck; the Carfax picked up a police report that AC missed. I bought the car anyway; there was no repair done, so it can't have been much. But, back to your car.

I would draw it at a very simple line, even with all the work. If that chassis has never felt impact of any kind, it's worth it. That dent had better be a soccer ball or something. Anything else can be fixed, even shabby interiors and shot paint. The metal can never be un-hit.

I just looked through 200 cars to find a choice model that hadn't been hit hard, nevermind hadn't been hit at all. I'd say a bona fide bumper virgin is worth a grand or so premium. How many undefiled T-5 5-speed non-conversion pre-Ford examples can there be left?

My $0.02.

- Kevin

Post by **Sperry** » 01 Feb 2010, 03:49

After reading your excellent good/bad list, I had $300 in mind as a top offer.
I'd walk away. There are far finer examples to one not in a hurry for wheels.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 01 Feb 2010, 08:02

Hmm interesting input from everyone. Although we have one good car (V70 T-5), we really do need two, solid cars with the schedules we have.

Think I'll pass and get my hands on a good example of an 850/V70/S70. The idea of having two (awesome) very similar cars to buy parts for and wrench appeals to me.
Am I correct in saying the 2.3 is preferable? I dont think its available in non-T5 trim on the 850, but it is on the 70's?

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Feb 2010, 08:55

The 2.3 engine is only the high-pressure turbo models (850 Turbo, T5). Either engine is just as reliable. A 97+ GLT is a 2.4 with a light-pressure turbo. A 2.4 N/A stick has a decent amount of power, more grunt off the line than a 2.3, and a nicer, more throaty engine sound, but the auto just feels kind of heavy and slow to me.

I hadn't been intending to go for a turbo OR an automatic when I went car shopping, having owned only underpowered 4-cylinder manual cars in the past, but it was in the best shape of the ones I looked at, and I fell in love with it

Now that I know what to look for, though, if I were to buy another, I'd look over any I could and buy whichever model had been best taken care of.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 01 Feb 2010, 09:10

jablackburn wrote:Now that I know what to look for, though, if I were to buy another, I'd look over any I could and buy whichever model had been best taken care of.

Hard to argue with that advise. Theres a nice 850 wagon for $1750, timing belt has been done recently, but has a lifter tick, might just be orings, I think its worth checking out.. Swings and roundabouts as they say.

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Feb 2010, 10:57

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/c ... 89568.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/c ... 46900.html

Those are 2 nice S70's around your area that look like they're worth a look. The silver one's a T5, but the green one looks like it has been really well taken care of. you'll want to ask if the green one has had the ETM recall done, otherwise that could be a very expensive repair soon.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/c ... 83952.html

And there's a wagon who the owner sounds like he knew what he was doing with it. That one's definitely worth a look as well.

Things to look for between all of them:
-PCV system pressure
-Timing belt (105K interval on the 99)
-ABS system - go stomp the brakes in the snow and it should kick in
-Oil leaks (crawl up under it and have a good look around)
-Tranny fluid level & color
-MAINTENANCE RECORDS!!!