Buying an 04 FWD with 97K+ miles..

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 05 Feb 2011, 12:52

I just need an advice on how to buy a used car at a dealership. This is going to be my first time dealing with a car salesman. All of my previous cars were bought at a private seller. The xc90 in mind is this: http://www.stokesvw.com/VehicleDetai...n-SC/938081003
They want $12,792. Checked carguru.com and it's actually $700+ over the TMV. So, my question is, what would be a good fair price to offer once I'm done test driving the car. Should I offer $10,500 and see if they go for it, or is that too low? Also, planning on getting a pre-purchase inspection at my local AAA service center. Thanks!

Post by **jimmy57** » 05 Feb 2011, 14:03

I had a favorite uncle that always referred to a posted price as "the MOST they want for it". Look it over and even take it to someone if possible for a brief mechanical inspection. Use any needed repairs as price reductions or leverage for that to be repaired.

Post by **gshadow325** » 06 Feb 2011, 06:44

dont feel insulted to offer then $10.500 for a car that is worth that.

unless you have to buy from a dealer. then dont.

snapshot of current dealer only auction prices accross the USA this gives you a real world idea of what these cars are worth. of course the deal is up to you if you feel it is worth it.

this is a look up for 2004 xc90 2.5l cant ask it to look for fwd or awd

01/13/11 W PALM Regular $5,800 128,567 Below RED 5G A Yes
01/25/11 FAAO Lease $6,200 127,207 Below SILVER 5G A Yes
01/20/11 W PALM Regular $6,700 109,595 Avg GREEN 5G A Yes
01/20/11 ST PETE Regular $6,700 121,458 Avg SILVER 5G A Yes
01/18/11 BISHOP B Regular $7,000 124,441 Avg SILVER 5G A Yes
01/25/11 AMERICAN Regular $7,100 119,956 Avg BLACK 5G A Yes
01/27/11 HOBBY Regular $7,200 111,213 Avg GREEN 5G A Yes
01/27/11 W PALM Regular $7,400 114,184 Avg WHITE 5G A Yes
02/03/11 DARLNTON Regular $7,500 101,022 Avg GRAY 5G A Yes
01/27/11 HOBBY Regular $7,800 121,741 Avg RED 5G A Yes
02/01/11 SKYLINE Regular $8,000 89,659 Avg WHITE 5G Yes
01/19/11 SAN ANTO Regular $8,300 93,666 Avg BLUE 5G A Yes
02/03/11 EL PASO Regular $8,700 52,417 Above GRAY 5G A Yes
01/13/11 W PALM Regular $8,700 73,594 Above RED 5G A Yes
01/27/11 ATLANTA Regular $9,600 87,917 Above WHITE 5G A Yes

Post by **stone36** » 07 Feb 2011, 21:11

gshadow... way to work the MMR! I did the same thing, and was going to post, should have scrolled down before I looked it all up

They are asking wayyyy too much for that in my opinion. The only thing is has going for it is the DVD, but they are after market, doesn't make it bad but factory is worth more. From the pics the car looks kind of well used (drivers seat/floor etc) so I would hope to see every record on it. IMHO if you don't clean the carpets when you spill something, or condition the leather once in a while, you probably don't regularly maintain it either. I would be patient and wait for another. for 12.5 you could get one far away and ship it or fly and drive.

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 09 Feb 2011, 16:03

Update: click the link http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... ..../page2

TexasCoder · Post by **TexasCoder** » 11 Feb 2011, 04:39

gssahdow's list is dead on. I bought my '04 XC90 2.5L FWD vehicle at auction for just a little over $6,200. I am sure you could find better deals from private sellers. I don't like or trust dealers. First blush on that car, it looks like the person that owned it, got in and drove it till something broke, then had a mechanic fix it. Granted, with these cars, it is hard to find DIY car lovers that care for every inch of their vehicle. I lucked out, after pulling a report on mine, it turns out that it was serviced at a local volvo dealership each time (tires/brakes/tune up...), and every TSB/Recall had been serviced on the vehicle. I would hold out, and keep looking for one that is not so "worn". Good news, these cars are awesome, I am thinking of buying one for myself...the one I bought was for the wife...although, I would probably spring for the V8 "R" edition

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 11 Feb 2011, 22:30

Trying to get this one....on ebay: Ruby Red, it's for my wife http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-XC ... 845wt_1165 I tried to offer 11K but was automatically declined. Plan on trying again..ha!

TexasCoder · Post by **TexasCoder** » 12 Feb 2011, 02:10

I have to say, that is a really clean car. You have certainly gone from one end of the spectrum to the other

I would not blink an eye offering this guy 9500.00 to 10000.00 for this vehicle, maybe lower if you are feeling frisky! Some of the subtle details that I noticed: where is the rear windshield wiper blade & arm? Why is the shift boot tan (this should be graphite black with ice blue stitching to match the aluminum accents in the executive packages)?

Also, I did NOT notice the "Mercury" warning/disposal sticker on the driver's door jamb (should be a yellow sticker stating "Warning...some parts of this vehicle contain mercury...."). This is so that states can dispose of the parts properly, which usually means the HID headlights. Does this vehicle have the HID headlights? I think this sticker was also part of a TSB that dealers would perform for free (basically means they put the sticker on). This leads me to believe it might have missed a TSB or recall...run a CarFax report to get that info.

Judging by the tires (Goodyear Wranglers), it looks like the previous owner spent good money on the "common" replaceable items, so that could lead one to believe this was cared for and loved. The previous owner, or even the dealer, could have just as easily thrown a set of $400 tires on and been done with the rubber. Also, I noticed the exterior items (front wiper arms, black trim molding...) are not faded and nasty looking, so this leads me to believe it was garage kept, or at least lived under a car port

All in all, nice ride, I love the color! I just noticed the steering wheel, it is the leather wrapped one, so this does not have the executive package, which came with the wood grain wheel. This is why the shift boot is tan leather...so that is all good. Personally, I prefer the leather wrapped wheel like this one has, the wood grain on my wife's car scratches too easily, and begins to hurt my hands on long drives and at holding the wood portion for extended periods. I know, I know...I need to put my big girl panties on

There are other items to look at on these cars. If you can test drive it, listen for wheel bearing “whine”. The bearings on these cars are notorious for going out (I think there was a recall on that…but not sure). Also, checking the steering for “play” and joust, the weight of this vehicle also tends to be murder on the tie rods and ball joints. Bearings and ball joints are easily replaced by a DIY’er, but could give you some great bargaining leverage.

The engine bay was steam cleaned and detailed by a pro on a mission…I mean, I cannot even see any grime on the brake reservoir cap or the windshield washer cap…so it is kind of hard to tell if anything is going on there, but you could put an eye on the upper turbo inlet hose and see if it is starting to “suck in” which would give you a good indication of maintenance. Those hoses tend to “soften” after 10k-15k miles. The hoses should be round and firm.

Sorry for being so long winded, but wanted to make sure I gave my two cents worth!

xallenx · Post by **xallenx** » 12 Feb 2011, 06:33

Offered 11,500 still declined...I got a PPI and all the inspector found out that there is a faint wheel bearing going bad sound in the rear, also the sunroof is not working but the owner will fix it before selling. Looks like they want close to the full price on this one. Just don't understand why they even bother putting a best offer option even the really want is the buy it now price. Should I go for it? Maybe I can get them to pay for shipping.

TexasCoder · Post by **TexasCoder** » 12 Feb 2011, 08:30

Hmmm, that is a tough one. I am notoriously cheap when it comes to buying cars. It took me over a year and a half to find my wife's volvo. Even then I nearly let it go because the auction price shot past 6k (by only $200). Speaking practically, you are going to have to put in another $500-$1,000 in repairs (oil change, wheel bearing change, brakes, timing belt, water pump). I list those couple of items, assuming they have not been done.

Find out "why" the sun roof does not work. Was it simply because they put in a new battery and did not follow the calibration instructions? Or is it because they removed key components (radio, ecm...) without disconnecting the battery and fried something (like the SRS - air bag module)? Or, in a perfect world is it just the sun roof fuse that is blown

At the price they are asking, EVERYTHING should work, especially the creature comfort features!

In my opinion, if the sun roof is a minor fix, and the seller will pay for "Insured" shipping, then go for it, otherwise move on to the next deal.

Hope this helps.